Community Fund Panel Meets For First Time

Media release for immediate use 18 May 2009

Meridian White Hill Community Fund Panel Meets For First Time

Members of the Meridian White Hill Community Fund panel have met for the first time to consider funding applications from the community.

The panel is made up of community members and Meridian staff and will meet twice each year. Panel chair Alan Seay says the community fund model has been successful across Meridian’s generation areas.

“The Community Fund model has worked very well in our Manapouri, Waitaki and Te Apiti generation areas,” he says. “Early indications suggest the White Hill Community Fund will be as successful in contributing to community initiatives.

“The Community Fund gives people a sense of ownership of the funding process and a say in how the funds are used in their area. Having locals on the panel ensures initiatives that are of value to the community are supported.

“The funding is for an initial three years to allow for certainty in planning for projects with long term benefit,” he added.

The White Hill Community Liaison Group consulted with the local community and provided Meridian with a list of nominees from which the community representatives were chosen.

The three community-based members who sit on the White Hill panel are Jim Guyton, Shirley Menlove and Roger McDonald.

Jim Guyton, chair of the Mossburn Community Development Area Committee, says the Community Fund provides an excellent opportunity for locals to gain funding for projects that benefit their area.

“The Meridian White Hill Community Fund is an excellent initiative that will be very beneficial to the Northern Southland community,” he says. “It rewards people who are working hard to make their community-driven projects work.

“The support given by the fund is considered on a case by case basis. The advisory panel may give all the money required to make a small project work, or it can part-fund a bigger project to give the recipients the help they need to get moving to the next stage.

“We look forward to receiving the next round of applications in September and working with motivated people who are dedicated to seeing their community prosper,”he added.

In the first round of funding for 2009, the panel has agreed to enter into discussions with two initiatives. The Northern Southland Community Resource Centre has requested to replace the vehicle used by the Community Coordinator. The Community Fund will work with the Centre to assess the options.

The panel is also in discussions with the Lumsden Community Pool Trust about its automatic chemical dosing system for the local community swimming pool.

Applications for consideration in the next round of Meridian White Hill Community Funding must be submitted by 2 September 2009.

For more information on the Community Funds visit http://www.meridian.co.nz/AboutUs/

Meridian White Hill Community Fund panel members

Alan Seay. Alan is Meridian’s Communications Director. His experience on the Meridian Te Apiti Community Fund panel is valuable and helps ensure funding decisions are consistent.

Jim Guyton (Q.S.M., J.P.). Jim is the chair of the Mossburn Community Development Area Committee and has been Chair of the Lumsden Community Board. Jim has lived in the area for 47 years, making him an ideal person to consider projects that will have long-term benefit for the region.

Shirley Menlove. Shirley is a retired Northern Southland College schoolteacher who lives in Lumsden. She is currently the secretary/treasurer of the Northern Southland Trust. This means she is well aware of the issues that are important to region.

Roger McDonald. Roger resides in Dipton and has been on the Dipton School Committee for the past six years. Roger was also chair of the Committee for three years, giving him the experience necessary to identify projects will benefit the community.

Peter Mason. Peter works for Meridian in Markets and Production. He is also the Site Manager at the White Hill wind farm making him an integral part of Meridian’s Southland operation and a valued member of the Community Fund panel.

Mike Goldsworthy. Mike is Meridian’s Asset Manager Wind, Markets and Production. Mike is also a member of the Meridian Te Apiti Community Fund advisory panel. His broad knowledge of the local community, combined with his experience with the Community Fund model makes him a key member of the panel.

ENDS

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