InternetNZ launches Liz Dengate Thrush Foundation

InternetNZ launches Liz Dengate Thrush Foundation

Media Release – 30 July 2008 – InternetNZ (the Internet Society of New Zealand Inc) is pleased to announce the launch of an Internet entrepreneurship foundation established in memory of Liz Dengate Thrush, a former Councillor of the Society.

Dengate Thrush served on Council from 1998 to 2000 and was an active participant on the Society’s policy and research committee. She worked tirelessly to promote the use of Internet technologies in education and entrepreneurship but died tragically in 2006 before seeing the results of many of her projects.

The objective of the Liz Dengate Thrush Foundation is to improve peoples’ awareness and understanding of Internet technologies, and encourage Internet entrepreneurship and other positive uses of the Internet in New Zealand.

It will do this by awarding funding grants for use in practical educational advancement of individuals in Internet entrepreneurship. The foundation, a registered charity, is being formally launched at an inaugural awards dinner in late August where the categories of the first awards will be announced.

InternetNZ Executive Director Keith Davidson says Dengate Thrush was passionate about keeping the Internet as open and transparent as possible and had a particular interest in using technology as a mechanism for improving business and democracy.

“The award categories will encompass much of that vision and honour her memory by recognising educational, social and business contributions to New Zealand life involving the Internet,” he says.

More information on the Liz Dengate Thrush Foundation and the Inaugural Awards Dinner can be found at the following link:

www.ldtf.org.nz

ENDS