At
the start of this new school year we profile the Waihi
Gold Mining Education Trust and report on a gathering
of people who are well past school age as they prepare
to meet for the annual miners’ reunion.
The Waihi Gold Mining Education Trust
It’s the start of the
new school year. Uniforms and stationery to buy, school
fees to pay. We all know that getting our children
to school can take a lot of money. So does providing
for them once they are at school. Funds always seem
in short supply. That’s where the Waihi Gold
Mining Education Trust comes in, helping local secondary
school students in an increasingly busy and changing
world.
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The Waihi College Education Trust
has been the recipient of $25,000 per year for the past
11 years. John Dow, (right) Executive Vice President &
Managing Director of Newmont Australia hands Head Girl
Ashleigh Fergus last year’s donation. Newmont staff
and trust members are given a demonstration (below right)
of the Waihi College ‘virtual classroom’.
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In the Beginning
The Waihi
Gold Mining Trust was set up in 1992 as the result of
an initiative by the then principal of Waihi College,
Harry Shepherd. The original trust was to provide $25,000
a year to the College for a period of five years with
the stated aim of improving educational opportunities
for the youth of Waihi.
Five trustees were appointed, two by the College Board,
two by Waihi Gold, with the fifth to be a prominent
member of the community who could fill the role of Chairperson.
This person would have no specific involvement with
education or the mining industry.
$275,000...
and Counting...
The original Education Trust
was set up with a projected lifespan of five years.
This has been extended. The Trust is now in its eleventh
year, and a total of $275,000 has been donated to Waihi
College by Waihi Gold Mining Company.
Newmont
Waihi makes it
2 Years LTI Free
Thursday 26 February 2004
was a significant day for Newmont Waihi. The company
has achieved 2 years without a Lost Time Injury,
no easy task in a heavy industrial environment
like gold mining. |
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‘Trust’
Us – We know what we’re doing
Each year
The Waihi Gold Mining Company provides $25,000 dollars
to Waihi College. $5,000 is set aside to provide financial
support for Waihi College students who go on to study
at tertiary level. The remaining $20,000 is available
to fund projects decided by the school.
This flexibility and autonomy is important. It allows
the College to determine how the monies should best
be spent. Waihi College Principal, Alistair Cochrane,
says that the value of the Trust is that the funds can
be spent directly to support students.
‘We aim to benefit as many students as possible
with the money made available. In previous years we
have funded extra library books, horticulture tools
and maths equipment.’
‘Trust funding plays a significant part in purchasing
computers and related technologies. In 2003 Trust monies
were used to purchase equipment for our new Virtual
Classroom.’
‘As a rural school, comparatively isolated from
larger centres, it is vital that we keep up to speed
with equipment. Funding from the Trust helps us to do
that.’
In addition, having this steady source of income allows
us to plan ahead and embark on two and three year projects.
Several of these have been successfully implemented
in recent years, most notably the provision of computers
in the library for internet use, and replacing computers
in the Text and Information Management Suite and Computer
Room.’
Alistair says that he is delighted that Rex Dillimore
agreed to become the new chairperson of the Trust. ‘He’s
a local man with vast experience, and we look forward
to working together with him to build on the work already
done.’ |
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Why
an Education Trust?
The Education
Trust was set up with a range of objectives:
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to support college and tertiary students
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to promote the study of engineering, geology and
environmental courses
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to relieve students of financial hardship
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to assist students by complementing available
funding
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to provide further educational facilities. |
Current Trustees
Rex Dillimore:
Chairperson
Alistair Cochrane:
Waihi College Principal
Ashleigh Fergus:
Student Representative
(also this year’s Head Girl)
Anne Barnett:
Newmont Waihi Operations
Doreen McLeod:
Newmont Waihi Operations
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New Chairperson
for Education Trust
Rex says that,
as in all the activities he was involved in, Owen leaves
some mighty big shoes to fill.
‘As a long time local resident I have a vested
interest in seeing the town continue to develop and
progress. One way we can do that is by investing in
our youth.’ ‘This trust does just that,
and its funding provisions are the envy of other secondary
schools.’
‘I’ve been involved with the mining company
through the Lions Club, when we have worked together
to organise Open Days at the mine, and I’m a member
of the Community Consultative Committee that is currently
developing strategies for the future of Waihi.’
‘I see this new role as complementary, and look
forward to being part of a programme that continues
to contribute effectively to the local community.’
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Rex Dillimore was approached to chair the Education Trust
after Owen Morgan passed away recently. |
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