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News from the OMCT
2025 OTAGO MASONIC CHARITABLE TRUST COMMUNITY GRANTS
OVERALL TRUST GRANTS ACTIVITY 2025 Community Grants $72,673. To 32 organisations across Otago Foodbanks $11,000. Youth Development $17,918. The Port Chalmers Marine Lodge Bursary $5,000. Dunedin School of Art $10,000. Boock Estate Grants to the elderly $6,690. TOTAL within Otago $119,363
Greater Dunedin Abbotsford Kindergarten Balmoral Body Corp Bayfield Kindergarten Dunedin Budget Advisory Service Catholic Social Services Dunedin Community House Green Island Community Network Kaikorai Valley College Kings High School Rowing Mosgiel Brass Band Maungatua/Outram Church Pregnancy Help Riding for Disabled Otago Tainui School Wakari Kindergarten		North Otago Scott’s Own Sea Scouts South Otago Clutha Valley Kindergarten Clutha Valley School PTA Poupoutunoa Kindergarten Rosebank Kindergarten Grey Power South Otago	Central Otago Alexandra United FC Women’s team Central Otago Health Services Central Otago Model Society Clyde Theatre Central Otago White Water Flames Ice Hockey Heartland Otago Southland Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust Upper Clutha History Society

Bayfield Kindergarten Christine Garey presenting a grant to Rachel Green and Susan Greig. Bayfield Kindergarten is a Kindergarten nestled in a back section of Bayfield with a large outdoor area bursting with native flora and fauna, and includes a vegetable garden and worm farm. Their extensive outdoor play area provides ample opportunity for development of motor skills, social skills, exploration and discovery. One of their most popular and well used pieces of outdoor equipment are the balance bikes, which provide a range of physical benefits including balance, coordination and confidence. The grant was for 10 replacement Cruzee Balance bikes.		Kaikorai Valley College Christine Garey presenting a grant to Nicola Everett and Cassandra Kitt. The grant is for the Science Department at Kaikorai College to purchase a small benchtop incubator. These Laboratory incubators are essential for ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of a wide range of experiments. They regulate temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and sterile conditions, supporting microbiology, environmental science (for example the germination of seeds), cell culture, and chemical development research. It is envisaged that the incubator could be used for all science classes as well as for projects based around their urban farm. Some potential uses include culturing microbes and testing chemicals to reduce microbe growth, as well as soil testing.	Balmoral Body Corp Christine Garey presenting a grant to Denis Richardson. The Balmoral Park Village Eastbourne St, Caversham, received a Defibrillator for use by the community. Due to the demographics of the village, and also the surrounding residential area, it was felt that it was desirable to have a Defibrillator quickly available. This would give reassurance to the residents and also be of value to the wider community, as it fills a gap in regard other defibrillators available in the area. The purchase was with the assistance of both The Red Cross and The Freemasons Charity.

Dunedin Riding for Disabled Group Christine Garey presenting a grant to Tina Marshall and Grant Shackell. The Dunedin Riding for Disabled was established in 1973 and is one of 48 Groups in NZ. The core purpose of Riding for the Disabled (RDA) is to provide interaction with horses to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people experiencing disability, or who have specific challenges or needs. The aim is to support and enable people with disabilities to achieve good lives including meaningful participation in, and contribution to, important life activities and roles in their community. At present they have a number of saddles which are no longer suitable, or which don’t fit correctly. This puts pressure on the horses and can cause soreness and other issues. The grant is for two Saddles which will help towards a full compliment of useable gear and equipment.		Pregnancy Help Christine Garey presenting a grant to Kerrie Young Pregnancy Help is a social services provider, offering a range of services to individuals and whānau. They have been providing services in the Dunedin and the Greater Dunedin area for over 40 years giving free, practical support and advice to anyone caring for Tamariki. In that time the needs of the community have changed and now they provide support to families whānau by running a drop-in centre in the heart of the South Dunedin, combined with integrating the use of social media into the provision of our services. The grant is to provide wool for their knitters to be returned as woolen singlets to keep their babies warm when the weather is cold.


As you may be aware on Sunday we made a presentation around the donating a oxygen Concentrator to the respiratory Unit at the Dunedin Hospital. Jess Puru gave a brief description to those attending the OMCT Presentation function. The Otago District Oxygen Concentrator Project, assisted by The Freemasons Charity, had such a great response from the Lodges of Otago that we have now donated funds for 2 machines plus a Oxygen Humidifier Today there was an article in the ODT (Page 4) and a video clip on the ODT Web Site https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/ward-set-benefit-gift As we have alluded to the response to this project has been unbelievable from the Lodges of Otago and with the support of The Freemasons Charity the result has been extremely gratifying. I can definitely say that Ged and the team at the respiratory Ward are very grateful and these Machines will be used across Otago to assist those with severe breathing problems SO FROM THE OTAGO MASONIC CHARITABLE TRUST A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED
	The 2024 Grant Awards OVERALL TRUST GRANTS ACTIVITY 2024 Community Grants $72,673 To 34 organisations across Otago Foodbanks $5,500 The Port Chalmers Marine Lodge Bursary $5,000 Dunedin School of Art (Fred Staub Open Art) $10,000 Boock Estate Grants to the elderly $24093 Otago District Lodge Project (with Freemasons Charity) $14450 TOTAL within Otago $131,716 In last 10 Years $1.25 Million within Otago Since 1958 over $3.9 Million donated in Otago FREEMASONS CHARITY Chair of Women’s and Child Health (Paediatrics) - Fellowships University of Otago $2.6 million = over 35 years University Scholarships New Zealand Universities $6.1 million = over 45 years Freemasonry working within Otago For photos of the 2024 OMCT Grant Awards click here.		Greater Dunedin Abbeyfield Anderson Bay Kindergarten Can Inspire Trust Diving Otakou Nature School Dunedin Grey Power Otago Helen Deem Kindergarten Hoopers Inlet Hall Valley Community Workspace St Clair School St Kilda Surf Club Studio2 & Margaret Freeman Gallery North East Valley Normal School Te Roopu Tautoko Ki te Tonga Vanora Equine Therapy Youth Search & Rescue North Otago Awamoa Football Club East Otago Musical Theatre Oamaru Intermediate School Oamaru Rowing Club Oamaru Swim Club Waitaki Boys High School - Sports South Otago Milton Community Health South Otago Mountain Bike Club Te Ahika Maori Charitable Trust West Otago Theatrical Youth Adventure Trust (Tautuku) Central Otago Alexandra District Youth Trust Alexandra District Museum (Central Stories) Central Otago Riding for Disabled Manuherekia Catchment Group Alexandra Senior Citizens Total of $72,530 .
	The 2023 Grant Awards For photos of the 2023 OMCT Grant Awards click here.		The 2022 Grant Awards For photos of the 2022 OMCT Grant Awards click here.


	The 2021 Community Grants. In February 2021 Applications opened for community organisations to apply for financial assistance to purchase items to help them operate. 74 Applications were received by 31 March, and in early June four presentation functions were held to present the funds to the successful applicants. These were in Oamaru, Tapanui, Alexandra and Dunedin. Other sponsorships such as the Youth Development participants were also recognised. As well in Dunedin the University of Otago Freemasons Scholarships and Fellowships were acknowledged, as was the continuing sponsorship of the Chair of Paediatrics at the Dunedin medical School. Speaking at the Dunedin Presentation, the Grand Master of Freemasons New Zealand, Graham Wrigley, congratulated the Trust on its contributions in Otago, and spoke of the continued support by Freemasons for both medical research and local community projects, such as seen at the presentation functions. He also highlighted the fact that Freemasons NZ has confirmed an exciting sponsorship of this year’s Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games that will be held in Hamilton in December. (Since postponed) OMCT DONATIONS IN 2021
	Community Grants (All of Otago) 45 organisations Youth Development Programme (Elwing) 9 Participants. The Port Chalmers Marine Lodge Bursary Dunedin School of Art (Fred Staub Open Art) ” Boock Estate Grants to the elderly (to date) Lake Ohau Village Restoration 2021 TOTAL	$64,918 $10,000 $5,000 $10,000 $4,212 $1,000 $95,130
	June 2021 Grant Presenters : Munro Doran, Christine Garey, Graham Wrigley (Grand Master), Grant Watson and Prof. Ben Wheeler		June 2021 Christine Garey (Dunedin's Deputy Mayor) with grant recipient Chloe Hawkins from Bellyful, Dunedin
	June 2021 Jim Watt (Deputy Grand Master) with Freemasons Scholarships recipients, Megan Taylor and Gemma Ballantyne		Masonic University Scholarships May 2019 *Conrad Goodhew, Shannon Tumataroa, Anna Charles-Jones and Dayle Keown celebrate their Masonic scholarships* Each year some of the country's top students are awarded Masonic University Scholarships. For further information click here.
	The Freemasons Oncology Fellowship 2019 John Dennison (OMCT with the Oncology Fellowship Committee : Les Bresnell (Secretary), John Steele (Chairman) and Alistair Cowan (Tresurer) with Fellowship recipient Dr Melanie Grant. For further information click here.		OMCT Donates to Foodbanks The tireless voluntary workers at the Dunedin Salvation Army's Foodbank are grateful for any and all assistance they can get during the Covid-19 pandemic so a $6000 donation from the OMCT was a welcome surprise. For further information click here.
	Rt.W.Bro John Dennison JGW		It is with immeasurable sadness that the Trustees of the OMCT and the many members of Masonic Lodges in the region, learned of the unexpected passing of *Rt.W.Bro. John Dennison JGW* on Tuesday, 14 April 2020, following a short illness. W.Bro. John Wren-Potter shares with us a personal overview of the life of this extraordinarily gifted, exceptionally generous and humble gentleman: husband to Ann, father to Sarah, and truly outstanding Freemason. For further information click here.
	OMCT Grants 2019 For details of the 2019 Grants Awards Ceremony click here.		Freemasons Scholaships Recipients June 2019 Recipients from the University of Otago. Prof Glenn Summerhayes (Committee), Jarad Monk, Hetal Shukla, Georgina Cook, Brin Ryder and John Dennison (OMCT Chairman)
	View a video of the 2018 Freemasons Scholaships Presentation 40th Anniversary		The 2016 Grants Awards For photos of the 2016 OMCT Grant Awards click here.

	Camp Quality South		The 2022 Grant Awards For photos of the 2022 OMCT Grant Awards click here.
	The presentation is being made in Oamaru as that is where the Volunteer fundraiser for Camp Quality South resides, but this Grant is a little different than many as the funding is being split 3 ways between, The Midland District Charitable Trust based in South Canterbury, tThe Southland Masonic Trust and The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust. This is because the Life Vests and Wetsuits being funded, will be used in Camps, and by Children, from South of Ashburton. Camp Quality is a very special organisation operating right around New Zealand. Camp Quality South, obviously, is the branch in Southern New Zealand. Their Vision is; To bring fun, hope and happiness to children living with cancer. Their Logo is a ‘Hot Air Balloon’ to symbolise the ability to rise above life's challenges. Camp Quality Campers are children, 5 to 16 years of age, who have been diagnosed with cancer, and are well enough to attend camp. The programmes provide a stress-free and caring environment for the children where fun and friendship are combined with achievable challenges - allowing the children to “just be kids”. They get a sense of normality and independence and focus on the positive aspects of their lives. Camp Quality passionately believes in the power of fun to help children and their families overcome the challenges that living with cancer can bring. Each year Camp Quality programmes cater for around 300 children at various locations around the country. In the South, our Summer Camp is based near Queenstown at the Frankton Lakeland Camp, and the children participate and visit several places for fun activities, such as the Playground, Highlands Motor Park, Frankton swimming Pool, Lake day activities, and the good old water slide at Camp! We also have had various entertainers come into camp - e.g.: Wonky Donkey (Craig Smith) Suzy Cato and Pippity Pop. In 2021, 31 children attended the camp with over 50 volunteers including medical support workers. Covid has obviously influenced numbers, but in a normal year there are also shorter camps, activity days, and reunions. Through Camp Quality, families get a much-needed break and the opportunity to spend time with other siblings while their child is at camp. They do so with the assurance that Camp Quality has the finest programmes, staff, Companions, medical care, and safety procedures in place. Across New Zealand more than 300 children attend various camps. The 3 Masonic Trusts in the south are really pleased we can help such a worthy organisation in this small way.

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