Who we have helped.
Every year we give out a number of grants from our specified and general funds. As well as giving out grants through our grant application process, our Board Members also proactively work together with key people and organisations in our community to identify specific projects that we believe will truly 'Advance Ashburton'.
Below are a selection of stories from some of the organisations, events and individuals that have received funding from Advance Ashburton Community Foundation. To see a more detailed list of our distributions to the community, check out our 'Distributions' page.
2017 Scholarship Recipients
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Greg Cross - Industry Training, Tinwald Club Scholarship Recipient 2017
I am 17 and I am currently studying Automotive level 3 at Ara Timaru Polytech which I am really enjoying. I am working the rest of the week at Autosparks. I was very fortunate to receive a Tinwald Club scholarship which enabled me to purchase a full tool kit for when I'm at work which is very useful. I am very thankful for this scholarship that I was awarded by Advance Ashburton and the Tinwald Club Fund. |
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Rubie Mclintock - Environmental Scholarship Recipient 2017
I am currently completing my Masters of Science majoring in Environmental Science at the University of Canterbury. Receiving an Advance Ashburton Scholarship has been incredible in reducing the additional financial expenses I have incurred as part of my masters project. It has allowed me to focus more of my time and efforts on my studies. Advance Ashburton itself as a community, have also provided me with a network of people that have been fundamental in the completion of my masters project. |
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Fergielyn Catayoc - Advance Ashburton Scholarship Recipient 2017
I’m currently finishing my second-year as a Victoria University of Wellington student, undertaking a conjoint Bachelor degree of Law and Arts (Humanities). Being a second-year student who fully relies on scholarships and support from parents to pay for tuition and materials, it is important for me to search for as many scholarships as I can to ease the difficulty for my parents -- receiving an Advance Ashburton Scholarship, this year has helped to do just that and contribute as a stepping stone to reach my goal to be a practicing lawyer after I have graduated from Victoria. For the moment, taking a paper on Tort Law has captured my interest and made me consider civil litigation. |
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Ella Bonnington - Health Science Scholarship Recipient 2017
I have been studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the Ara Institute of Canterbury and am absolutely loving it. I am currently on placement doing elderly care. Being on placement has reassured me further that this is the career I want to pursue after I conclude my studies. I have put the scholarship to good use using it for text books and equipment needed for my course. I am very grateful to have received the scholarship and I could not have made it this far without the help of Advance Ashburton Community Foundation. |
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Lachie Davidson - Agricultural, Horticultural and Aquaculture Scholarship Recipient 2017
I am currently studying a bachelor of AgriCommerce majoring in International Agribusiness at Massey University in Palmerston North. This is a 3 year degree of which I am 1/6 of the way through. Last year I received the Parsons family trust Agricultural/Horticulture scholarship to help towards my studies. Once I complete my degree I hope to be employed in the New Zealand primary sector working in either Agriculture or Horticulture. Specifically I wish to be involved in New Zealand's Export market and be able to showcase and market our products around the world. Receiving the Parsons scholarship has helped me hugely as it has allowed me to focus on my studies and not worry as much about financial support. It has given me confidence in what I study as I know that I have the support of the Parsons family. After receiving the scholarship I went and visited them on their farm and still keep in regular contact with them. Receiving a scholarship specific to the Mid Canterbury community also gave me motivation to work hard here at Uni as I feel that I owe it to the community to give back at some stage in my career. |
BOOST Child Literacy Project Update
Advance Ashburton has proudly been supporting the BOOST child literacy programme since it was originally trialed in 3 schools in 2014. Coordinated by the Ashburton Learning Centre, the success of this programme has led to considerable growth since it began and the programme is now being delivered in 10 local schools. 27 volunteers are trained as tutors to work alongside over 100 students to help enhance their reading and literacy skills.
The programme aims to assist 7 and 8 year olds whose literacy skills are behind their peers, but the extra support they need is not available under the state school system. Volunteer tutors go to the schools to deliver a highly effective, research-validated programme, which the children and the results are showing is helping them with the fundamental literacy skills they need to succeed. Children on the programme receive tuition twice a week, for a 30 week period. The schools are eager to be involved, tutors enjoy being part of the tutoring team and most importantly the children have shown they make great progress. The Ashburton Learning Centre has been well supported by local schools and receives funding from Advance Ashburton and the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation.
Advance Ashburton has proudly been supporting the BOOST child literacy programme since it was originally trialed in 3 schools in 2014. Coordinated by the Ashburton Learning Centre, the success of this programme has led to considerable growth since it began and the programme is now being delivered in 10 local schools. 27 volunteers are trained as tutors to work alongside over 100 students to help enhance their reading and literacy skills.
The programme aims to assist 7 and 8 year olds whose literacy skills are behind their peers, but the extra support they need is not available under the state school system. Volunteer tutors go to the schools to deliver a highly effective, research-validated programme, which the children and the results are showing is helping them with the fundamental literacy skills they need to succeed. Children on the programme receive tuition twice a week, for a 30 week period. The schools are eager to be involved, tutors enjoy being part of the tutoring team and most importantly the children have shown they make great progress. The Ashburton Learning Centre has been well supported by local schools and receives funding from Advance Ashburton and the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation.
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Rural Health Academic Centre Ashburton
Ashburton Hospital is becoming a Rural Health Academic Centre (RHACA) and is the first rural clinical education and research unit in New Zealand. Our Foundation, together with the Mackenzie Foundation, is funding for a three-year pilot period, three part-time positions for Dr Steve Withington, a Rural Hospital Medical Specialist (RHMS,) as the Senior Clinical Lecturer in Rural Medicine, Jane Wright, a Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist and Educator, and a Senior Research Analyst. |
Pictured from left: Jane Wright, Dr Sampsa Kiuru, a RHMS representing the University of Otago and Dr Steve Withington at Ashburton Hospital.
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Nicola Loach - Outward Bound Scholarship
Nicola Loach was awarded an Advance Ashburton Outward Bound scholarship in 2016. This scholarship gave her the opportunity to attend a course that she describes as an “amazing life-changing experience”. After having a couple of months to reflect on her Outward Bound experience, Nicola says “I loved every minute of it as every day you were pushed out of your comfort zone and pushed to your limit mentally, physically and emotionally.”
After initially being nervous about spending so much time with strangers, Nicola soon found that these strangers quickly became friends as well as an amazing support network to each other throughout the course. By letting go of being in control of the situation Nicola and her watch group learnt how to get the most out of their experience as they participated in several activities and challenges from learning to sail, kayaking in the sea and in rapids, high ropes courses, hiking, solo and group sessions.
The achievement of completing these challenges helped Nicola to face her fear as well as prompting her to make many changes to her personal and work life after she returned from the course. “I have some huge goals to achieve in 2017 that I made while I was at Outward Bound. I am ever so grateful for the opportunity that Advance Ashburton gave me to do this course. It is hard to explain the way this has changed my life but anyone who talks to me about this experience says that I can’t stop raving about it. I truly did love every minute of it.”
The Outward Bound Scholarships are funded by the Ashburton Jaycee Education and Development Fund. For more information about Outward Bound go to http://www.outwardbound.co.nz/
Nicola Loach was awarded an Advance Ashburton Outward Bound scholarship in 2016. This scholarship gave her the opportunity to attend a course that she describes as an “amazing life-changing experience”. After having a couple of months to reflect on her Outward Bound experience, Nicola says “I loved every minute of it as every day you were pushed out of your comfort zone and pushed to your limit mentally, physically and emotionally.”
After initially being nervous about spending so much time with strangers, Nicola soon found that these strangers quickly became friends as well as an amazing support network to each other throughout the course. By letting go of being in control of the situation Nicola and her watch group learnt how to get the most out of their experience as they participated in several activities and challenges from learning to sail, kayaking in the sea and in rapids, high ropes courses, hiking, solo and group sessions.
The achievement of completing these challenges helped Nicola to face her fear as well as prompting her to make many changes to her personal and work life after she returned from the course. “I have some huge goals to achieve in 2017 that I made while I was at Outward Bound. I am ever so grateful for the opportunity that Advance Ashburton gave me to do this course. It is hard to explain the way this has changed my life but anyone who talks to me about this experience says that I can’t stop raving about it. I truly did love every minute of it.”
The Outward Bound Scholarships are funded by the Ashburton Jaycee Education and Development Fund. For more information about Outward Bound go to http://www.outwardbound.co.nz/
Pictured from left: Dr Logan Walker, Associate Professor Tim Eglinton, Dr John Pearson, Mr Arthur Morley-Bunker, Dr Margaret Currie and Professor Bridget Robinson
Scoping for RNA biomarkers of Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in New Zealand. Rates of this cancer in New Zealand are among the highest in the world. The diagnosis of colorectal cancer is achieved by pathologists examining tissue samples under the microscope, which are obtained during a colonoscopy or surgery. Doctors will also establish how big the cancer is and whether it has spread to decide what treatment is needed for the patient. However, patients with apparently similar cancer types may respond very differently after receiving the same treatment, suggesting better diagnostic methods are needed for characterising this disease. There is now considerable interest in identifying molecular biomarkers that are able to better characterise colorectal cancer and guide therapy more accurately for individual patients. While a number of biomarkers have been explored by researchers, few have been implemented in routine clinical practice. Arthur Morley-Bunker is currently studying a PhD in the Mackenzie Cancer Research Group (Clinical Director: Professor Bridget Robinson) and is using a new molecular technology that can uncover potential biomarkers, and become a new tool in diagnostic laboratories. Arthur was the first person in New Zealand to develop expertise with this technology which he is now using to examine a particular type of molecule known as RNA. He is being supervised by a research team of cancer experts, including Dr Logan Walker (Cancer scientist), Dr John Pearson (Biostatistician/bioinformatician), Dr Margaret Currie (Cancer Scientist), and Associate Professor Tim Eglinton (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon). Our results to date have found RNA biomarkers from two genes that may be linked with a more advanced cancer. By assessing molecular changes down a microscope, Arthur has noticed that tumours from patients who have poor prognosis, contain less of these RNA biomarkers that tumours from patients with a better prognosis. A challenge with measuring changes under the microscope by eye is the possibility that different people looking may generate slightly different measurements. To overcome this problem, Arthur is also exploring computer based methods that provide a better assessment of microscope images to for a more consistent measure of biomarkers. Our research goal for 2017 is to understand more about how two RNA biomarkers contribute to the development of cancer. Arthur will be using the Glassey Trust Fund to carry out an array of laboratory experiments to uncover why a reduction in particular RNA molecules might give rise to more advanced tumours. Our ultimate hope is that this new information may lead to better patient management, and also to guide the development of new therapies targeting tumours with these molecular changes.
We are very grateful for the opportunity to use these funds for our colorectal cancer study and wish to extend our thanks to the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.
Dr Logan Walker
Rutherford Discovery Fellow
Mackenzie Cancer Research Group
University of Otago Christchurch
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in New Zealand. Rates of this cancer in New Zealand are among the highest in the world. The diagnosis of colorectal cancer is achieved by pathologists examining tissue samples under the microscope, which are obtained during a colonoscopy or surgery. Doctors will also establish how big the cancer is and whether it has spread to decide what treatment is needed for the patient. However, patients with apparently similar cancer types may respond very differently after receiving the same treatment, suggesting better diagnostic methods are needed for characterising this disease. There is now considerable interest in identifying molecular biomarkers that are able to better characterise colorectal cancer and guide therapy more accurately for individual patients. While a number of biomarkers have been explored by researchers, few have been implemented in routine clinical practice. Arthur Morley-Bunker is currently studying a PhD in the Mackenzie Cancer Research Group (Clinical Director: Professor Bridget Robinson) and is using a new molecular technology that can uncover potential biomarkers, and become a new tool in diagnostic laboratories. Arthur was the first person in New Zealand to develop expertise with this technology which he is now using to examine a particular type of molecule known as RNA. He is being supervised by a research team of cancer experts, including Dr Logan Walker (Cancer scientist), Dr John Pearson (Biostatistician/bioinformatician), Dr Margaret Currie (Cancer Scientist), and Associate Professor Tim Eglinton (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon). Our results to date have found RNA biomarkers from two genes that may be linked with a more advanced cancer. By assessing molecular changes down a microscope, Arthur has noticed that tumours from patients who have poor prognosis, contain less of these RNA biomarkers that tumours from patients with a better prognosis. A challenge with measuring changes under the microscope by eye is the possibility that different people looking may generate slightly different measurements. To overcome this problem, Arthur is also exploring computer based methods that provide a better assessment of microscope images to for a more consistent measure of biomarkers. Our research goal for 2017 is to understand more about how two RNA biomarkers contribute to the development of cancer. Arthur will be using the Glassey Trust Fund to carry out an array of laboratory experiments to uncover why a reduction in particular RNA molecules might give rise to more advanced tumours. Our ultimate hope is that this new information may lead to better patient management, and also to guide the development of new therapies targeting tumours with these molecular changes.
We are very grateful for the opportunity to use these funds for our colorectal cancer study and wish to extend our thanks to the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.
Dr Logan Walker
Rutherford Discovery Fellow
Mackenzie Cancer Research Group
University of Otago Christchurch
Celebrating Children
The sun shone and the music played, as five thousand people packed into the Tinwald Domain in celebration of Children’s Day on Sunday March 6th. Chairperson of Mid Canterbury Children’s Events and Activities Trust, Lorayne Oakley, said the vision for the day is to see children celebrated, nurtured and treasured by all. Celebrated annually throughout the country, the event in Ashburton is a free day of child-centred fun activities including rides, face painting, crafts, gymnastics and a BBQ. The trustees for the Tinwald Club Trust Fund, administered by Advance Ashburton, were delighted to encourage positive relationship between adults and children, by making a grant to help cover costs of the event.
(Photo: The Ashburton Guardian)
The sun shone and the music played, as five thousand people packed into the Tinwald Domain in celebration of Children’s Day on Sunday March 6th. Chairperson of Mid Canterbury Children’s Events and Activities Trust, Lorayne Oakley, said the vision for the day is to see children celebrated, nurtured and treasured by all. Celebrated annually throughout the country, the event in Ashburton is a free day of child-centred fun activities including rides, face painting, crafts, gymnastics and a BBQ. The trustees for the Tinwald Club Trust Fund, administered by Advance Ashburton, were delighted to encourage positive relationship between adults and children, by making a grant to help cover costs of the event.
(Photo: The Ashburton Guardian)
A New Van for Park Street Day Centre
Park Street Day Centre is a service run by the Canterbury District Health Board for older members of the Ashburton community. The extra care and socialisation during the day enables them to live in their own home for longer. The Centre is open every weekday and offers a range of services: socialisation, support for carers, craft and handwork, assistance with skills for daily living, recreational activities and outings. The Day Centre is renowned for its individual care of patients and offers the additional service of picking up and dropping home the people who use the service. Advance Ashburton along with Pakeke Lions is proud to have supported the purchase of a new van to help continue the work of this wonderful community service.
Park Street Day Centre is a service run by the Canterbury District Health Board for older members of the Ashburton community. The extra care and socialisation during the day enables them to live in their own home for longer. The Centre is open every weekday and offers a range of services: socialisation, support for carers, craft and handwork, assistance with skills for daily living, recreational activities and outings. The Day Centre is renowned for its individual care of patients and offers the additional service of picking up and dropping home the people who use the service. Advance Ashburton along with Pakeke Lions is proud to have supported the purchase of a new van to help continue the work of this wonderful community service.
Mitchell Hopping, 2016 Health Science Scholarship Recipient
I am writing to thank you for the generous $2,000 Advance Ashburton Health Sciences Scholarship. I was very happy and appreciative to learn that I was selected as the recipient of your scholarship. I am a 5th year medical student at the University of Auckland. I will graduate from my degree in late 2017. Thanks to you, I am one step closer to that goal. By awarding me the scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.
With kind regards,
Mitchell Hopping
I am writing to thank you for the generous $2,000 Advance Ashburton Health Sciences Scholarship. I was very happy and appreciative to learn that I was selected as the recipient of your scholarship. I am a 5th year medical student at the University of Auckland. I will graduate from my degree in late 2017. Thanks to you, I am one step closer to that goal. By awarding me the scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.
With kind regards,
Mitchell Hopping
Community House Help
“One of the best parts of being a Trustee is being able to present funds to the Mid Canterbury community; to those organisations and individuals who will benefit from the money,” said Kevin Geddes. Kevin, who is retiring from the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, recently presented the latest donation of $8600 by Advance Ashburton to the Community House Charitable Trust. This funded the purchase of the telephone system for their new Community House premises. “Advance Ashburton has been very generous as they donated funds to support the purchase of the building and have now again donated for the purchase of our phone system,” said John Driscoll, Chair of Community House Mid Canterbury. Kevin Geddes has seen the Trust grow in the past ten years into the organisation it is today. He attributes this to three things: First and foremost the generosity of people in the Ashburton community. Secondly the inspired leadership and vision of the late Neil Sinclair, the first Chair of Advance Ashburton. Thirdly, the ongoing support of the Tindall Foundation which makes funds available to Community Trusts and approved community projects. Kevin feels that he has been privileged to be part of a remarkable group of Ashburton people who have built an organisation that has harnessed the inherent generosity of this community into an catalyst for positive change. Philanthropy is for everyone and our community is very much the better for the work of Advance Ashburton.
“One of the best parts of being a Trustee is being able to present funds to the Mid Canterbury community; to those organisations and individuals who will benefit from the money,” said Kevin Geddes. Kevin, who is retiring from the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, recently presented the latest donation of $8600 by Advance Ashburton to the Community House Charitable Trust. This funded the purchase of the telephone system for their new Community House premises. “Advance Ashburton has been very generous as they donated funds to support the purchase of the building and have now again donated for the purchase of our phone system,” said John Driscoll, Chair of Community House Mid Canterbury. Kevin Geddes has seen the Trust grow in the past ten years into the organisation it is today. He attributes this to three things: First and foremost the generosity of people in the Ashburton community. Secondly the inspired leadership and vision of the late Neil Sinclair, the first Chair of Advance Ashburton. Thirdly, the ongoing support of the Tindall Foundation which makes funds available to Community Trusts and approved community projects. Kevin feels that he has been privileged to be part of a remarkable group of Ashburton people who have built an organisation that has harnessed the inherent generosity of this community into an catalyst for positive change. Philanthropy is for everyone and our community is very much the better for the work of Advance Ashburton.
Methven Library and Historical Society
After the 2011 earthquakes the buildings belonging to the Methven Library and the Methven Historical Society were unable to be economically repaired and strengthened. As a result the two groups have worked together to gain approval for one brand new building which should be completed in 2016. Support from the community has come in the form of donations towards the cost of the building. Advance Ashburton Community Foundation was pleased to hand over a cheque for $100,000. This was donated by the Lochhead Charitable Trust, which is now administered by the Foundation, specifically for this new Methven building.
After the 2011 earthquakes the buildings belonging to the Methven Library and the Methven Historical Society were unable to be economically repaired and strengthened. As a result the two groups have worked together to gain approval for one brand new building which should be completed in 2016. Support from the community has come in the form of donations towards the cost of the building. Advance Ashburton Community Foundation was pleased to hand over a cheque for $100,000. This was donated by the Lochhead Charitable Trust, which is now administered by the Foundation, specifically for this new Methven building.
Having the Courage
Hello. My name is Carmen Sutton. I am a forty-two-year-old woman who has always been ok at practical assignments. I gratefully received one of your Outward Bound scholarships, and later I received an industry training scholarship. This month I received my National Certificate in Carpentry. After completion of Outward Bound, I had the courage to address my dyslexia that had plagued my learning and my confidence for my first thirty-eight year I had myself assessed at Seabrook McKenzie for learning difficulties and got myself a tutor. From there it took 18 months of hard work to get myself ready for my pre-trade in Carpentry at Aoraki in Timaru. This year in Timaru brought many ups and downs emotionally, however I stuck with it and graduated. Alister McIntosh then took me on firstly for work experience and then as an apprentice builder. Three years later I have completed my qualification and have recently built my first registered house for McIntosh Builders. I would like to thank your organisation for these opportunities and financial support. I could never have followed my dream and this path without your help. Eternally grateful. Carmen Sutton
Hello. My name is Carmen Sutton. I am a forty-two-year-old woman who has always been ok at practical assignments. I gratefully received one of your Outward Bound scholarships, and later I received an industry training scholarship. This month I received my National Certificate in Carpentry. After completion of Outward Bound, I had the courage to address my dyslexia that had plagued my learning and my confidence for my first thirty-eight year I had myself assessed at Seabrook McKenzie for learning difficulties and got myself a tutor. From there it took 18 months of hard work to get myself ready for my pre-trade in Carpentry at Aoraki in Timaru. This year in Timaru brought many ups and downs emotionally, however I stuck with it and graduated. Alister McIntosh then took me on firstly for work experience and then as an apprentice builder. Three years later I have completed my qualification and have recently built my first registered house for McIntosh Builders. I would like to thank your organisation for these opportunities and financial support. I could never have followed my dream and this path without your help. Eternally grateful. Carmen Sutton
Family Violence Coordinator
Rugby first brought Zimbabwean born Evans Chibanguza to Mid Canterbury, but after working at Silver Fern Farms and completing a post-graduate diploma in Social Work from Otago University he started work for Child Youth and Family as a care and protection social worker. Evans has recently taken up a new role with the Canterbury District Health Board as a social worker and family violence coordinator. He has seen first-hand how great the need is in the Mid Canterbury region. A few months previously, the chairman of the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation, Trevor Croy, and trustee, Mary Ross, had met with senior hospital management to see if there was anything specific that money donated to the foundation and tagged for health funding, could be used for. Yes, came the reply – to help us fund a position for a family violence coordinator. And so a need in the local community has been matched with a grant to part fund this new position for two years. Evans’ main priority is to get out into the community to create relationships with the other professionals who are at the coalface of family violence; the police, Child Youth and Family, Women’s Refuge, social agencies, the local midwives, schools and the Acute Admission Unit at Ashburton Hospital. Evans is the link between all of these groups, to coordinate information sharing which has been identified as one of the biggest obstacles when dealing with domestic violence in our communities. “I have long held the view that the one place that everyone should feel safe is in the home and so believe the issue of domestic violence needs to be wiped out. I am willing to do everything I can to make sure this happens,” says Evans. Advance Ashburton is delighted that the funds have been put toward such an important role in the community.
Rugby first brought Zimbabwean born Evans Chibanguza to Mid Canterbury, but after working at Silver Fern Farms and completing a post-graduate diploma in Social Work from Otago University he started work for Child Youth and Family as a care and protection social worker. Evans has recently taken up a new role with the Canterbury District Health Board as a social worker and family violence coordinator. He has seen first-hand how great the need is in the Mid Canterbury region. A few months previously, the chairman of the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation, Trevor Croy, and trustee, Mary Ross, had met with senior hospital management to see if there was anything specific that money donated to the foundation and tagged for health funding, could be used for. Yes, came the reply – to help us fund a position for a family violence coordinator. And so a need in the local community has been matched with a grant to part fund this new position for two years. Evans’ main priority is to get out into the community to create relationships with the other professionals who are at the coalface of family violence; the police, Child Youth and Family, Women’s Refuge, social agencies, the local midwives, schools and the Acute Admission Unit at Ashburton Hospital. Evans is the link between all of these groups, to coordinate information sharing which has been identified as one of the biggest obstacles when dealing with domestic violence in our communities. “I have long held the view that the one place that everyone should feel safe is in the home and so believe the issue of domestic violence needs to be wiped out. I am willing to do everything I can to make sure this happens,” says Evans. Advance Ashburton is delighted that the funds have been put toward such an important role in the community.
