A view of Kinleith Mill from Tokoroa. Photo / Maryana Garcia
A view of Kinleith Mill from Tokoroa. Photo / Maryana Garcia
South Waikato Investment Fund Trust chief executive Clive Somerville has been awarded a fellowship to travel to Europe and visit towns that have successfully reinvented themselves after the decline of traditional industries.
Somerville is one of nine recipients of the Churchill Trust Fellowship, administered by the Department of Internal Affairs,which supports New Zealanders from all walks of life to travel overseas to expand their knowledge on topics of national significance.
Somerville will travel to Ruhr Valley in Germany, the Basque Country in Spain and rural Ireland and meet with some of the leading minds responsible for their communities’ regeneration.
The news comes after the South Waikato has been hit hard with the closure of Oji Fibre Solutions’ paper mill and the Carter Holt Harvey plywood plant.
Somerville said he was grateful for the opportunity which would support Swift’s work of ensuring the district continues to thrive despite the tough economic conditions experienced in recent years.
“The communities I’ll visit give me great hope. I’m looking forward to bringing back some fresh perspectives on what we could achieve here in South Waikato,” he said.
“One of the towns I’ll visit is Skibbereen, Ireland, where an old steam mill is being transformed into a living museum and business hub, showing how history and the modern economy can co-exist.”
He will also travel to Sligo, in the north-west of Ireland, which transformed from a traditional fishing town into a bustling economic and tourism hub.
“Sligo is particularly fascinating to me because its reinvention honours its past and natural environment but is also the result of very focused investment in new industry, namely technology and pharmaceuticals,” Somerville said.
“By going hard and fast with digital infrastructure, then developing business parks and educational institutions with a clear focus on these industries, Sligo has been able to attract multinational companies.”
He said the South Waikato and the places he will visit in Europe had something in common.
South Waikato Investment Fund Trust chief executive Clive Somerville.
“Every place I’ll visit has a distinctive story, and each community also shares a fierce sense of determination that was harnessed by leaders who confidently charted a new course.
“I have no doubt the South Waikato is one of these communities.”
Established in 1965, the Churchill Trust supports New Zealanders from all walks of life to travel overseas to learn from others and expand their knowledge on topics of national significance that will advance their occupation, trade, industry, profession, or community.
Churchill Fellowships fund up to three months’ travel to the value of $12,000.
Of the nine recipients in the recent round were also two others from Waikato.
Robbie Atatoa, of Hamilton, was awarded the fellowship for travel to Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, to support identification, translation, and recreation and revitalisation of Mangaian toki (adze).
Paula Baker, also of Hamilton, was awarded the fellowship to gather insights, understand best practices, and measure the impact of charity-owned surgical hospitals across the United Kingdom.
