Hawke's Bay projects get funding boost from Eastern and Central Community Trust

SUPPORT: The Hawke's Bay and East Coast Aero Club were one of the recipients of the Eastern and Central Community Trust funding boost. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

The Eastern and Central Community Trust has given an injection of funds to help multiple local projects get on their way.

The Porangahau Country Club received a $40,000 donation for its proposed all-weather, four-rink bowling surface.

Club chairman Hamish McLean said it was important to keep adding new opportunities for Porangahau people so more people would become members.

"Bowling is a new club within our club. It is bringing in new members and that helps generate new income. But it is also important because many people living here wouldn't take part in these activities if the facilities weren't provided - they wouldn't travel into town to play," he said.

Trust general manager Jonathan Bell said one of the driving factors behind its decision to contribute $40,000 towards the cost of the new turf was the community hub the country club has created.

The trust has also donated $10,000 towards a new senior playground at Mohaka School.

The playground is designed to help build upper-body strength but another aim is to encourage team building and greater interaction between students.

Mohaka farmer Jayne MacDonald, who is also the school groundskeeper, has become a successful fundraiser and asked the children what type of playground they would like at the school.

"I saw a need and it's great doing the fundraising. When you put on an event the whole community pulls together and it's a chance for everyone to get together, which we don't often do."

Ms MacDonald was also involved with the fundraising for the refurbishment and upgrade of the school pool about four years ago, which also received Community Trust financial support.

The third project the trust supported was a group of young aviation enthusiasts from the Hawke's Bay and East Coast Aero Club who are building their own plane so they can learn to fly.

The trust gave $35,000, covering the full price of the kitset plane body, which will be delivered from the United States.

Further fundraising will pay for the engine, avionic instrumentation and specialist, professional painting.

Club secretary Peter Steers said the young flight engineers and pilots would work in pairs every Saturday. It was likely to take them about a year to complete the project, under close supervision from experienced aero club members.

"The students who're getting involved have to make a year-long commitment. They will learn a range of aviation skills but perhaps the biggest plus is the discipline they will develop."

Mr Bell said it was a project that allowed young people to gain practical skills, experience and mentoring, with an opportunity to graduate into a career in flying.