Twelfth Annual Report of the Trust.

The Trust has had a good year and its work is much respected by the Community Board & the District Council.

At the last Annual Meeting in March 2005 the following were elected trustees

• Peter Werry Chairperson

• Alisoun Werry Secretary

• Alyson De Boer Treasurer

• Max Edridge Architectural Adviser

• Peter Francks
• John Abbott
• Will Holmes
• Malcolm Sutherland


Kouka Cottage
We are still trying to install the sprinkler system into the Cottage. We now have the approval of the Fire Service, the District Council, and the insurance company We cannot persuade the only authorised installer in the Wairarapa to give us a quote.


The Web Site
Improvements have been made to our site by linking it with other kindred sites, and attempting to get it further up the Google priority list. We plan to post this report on the site.


Membership
The membership remains constant at 64,


Finance
Our treasurer, Alyson De Boer, has done the job very efficiently. Thank you Alyson


The Upgrade of theTown Hall
This project has been the main focus of the year. Your representatives on the supervising committee—Peter Werry, Peter Francks and Max Edridge have been to numerous meetings. Peter Francks in particular has been very involved as secretary of the Town Hall Committee.

The Heritage Trust organised and partly financed the fund raising dinner, which launched the campaign. The dinner was huge success. John Read, in an impassioned speech, raised the profile of the campaign. The architect, Chris Kelly, also spoke, convincing the few remaining doubters present. WBS promised a huge contribution. The Heritage Trust gave a cheque for $15,000—a very good contribution from a group with an annual subscription of $10!

For the remainder of the year the Town Hall Committee has been busy raising the remainder of the $1.65 million. The local community raised about $80,000—much of this from Trust members. The largest donation of $500,000 came from the Greytown Trust Lands Trust. The Heritage congratulated the Lands Trust for its marvellous donation. In February 2006 the Town Hall Committee announced that the target had been reached and the SWDC called tenders in late February.

We hope to see the new civic centre ready for the centennial of the Town Hall next year.


Trust Lands Lecture
A large audience heard Professor Charlotte Macdonald speak of the links of pioneer women with the Homeland. For the first time, the presentation was done by John Gray, chairman of the sponsors. He encouraged us to apply for a new grant to continue bringing outstanding history lecturers to Greytown.


Friends of the Park
This group have spent a number of years restoring the bush in Memorial Park. They suggested that they join us to combine our influence in the community. The Trust is an important pressure group protecting both the Victorian architecture and hopefully now the trees. We must always be vigilant if we are to continue to enjoy this beautiful village.


The New Charities Commission imposes strict rules on trust like ours
• Submit a copy of our rules
• Give information about activities
• List the officers
• File annual returns of our audited accounts
• Registration will enable us to apply for funds, and to get tax free status from IRD


Thanks
My thanks to all Trustees for their support during my eight year chairmanship, We especially thank John for his efforts as he is resigning at this AGM.

 

All enquiries can be made to John Abbott maggieabbs@wise.net.nz