Gisborne District Council does not have funding available to grant to community groups and voluntary groups. However, it does provide advice and resources to enable groups to seek funding from charitable trusts and the like.
Council has developed a guideline for community groups wanting to submit a funding proposal. It provides tips and traps to avoid, lists some basic rules in structuring the proposal, and guidelines on supporting materials to add. It can be downloaded below:
Council also provides a list of Charitable Trusts and Organisations that support non-profit groups. It is available for download below:
Honouring community achievement
Each year Council calls nominations to recognise the work of volunteers providing outstanding service to their community.
I want to nominate someone for a Civic Award.
The annual HMNZS Blackpool Scholarship is awarded to a secondary school student in their final school year. It provides $750 towards each of up to three years of tertiary study and holiday employment with the Council.
What are the criteria?
Academic ability, school/community involvement and a commitment to achieve.
How do I apply?
Students don’t apply. In about August each year the Mayor’s office calls for nominations from principals at Campion College, Gisborne Boys’, Gisborne Girls’, Lytton, Ngata Memorial College, Te Waha o Rerekohu Area School, Waikohu College and Tolaga Bay Area School. Applications are in the form of a CV with supporting letters. Applicants then appear before the selection panel.
Who decides?
A selection panel comprising Council’s Mayor and Chief Executive, Eastland Port chair and Gisborne RSA president.
How did it start?
HMNZS Blackpool was ‘adopted’ by Gisborne during the ship’s loan service in the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1966 to 1971. It was given the Freedom of the City by Charter. When the time came for Blackpool to be returned to the United Kingdom, the then ship’s company decided an annual scholarship for young students would be a lasting reminder of the positive relationship developed between the city and its adopted warship, and would provide thanks for the generosity and friendship shown by Gisborne people.
The ship began a campaign in 1970 to raise $5000 with the aim that the income from this sum would provide an annuity forming the scholarship. A cheque was presented to His Worship the Mayor during the final farewell Charter Parade on 17 February 1971.
What is the HMNZS Resolution Scholarship?
An annual scholarship awarded to a student between 15 years old and Year 13 to sail for 10 days on the Spirit of New Zealand sailing vessel. The berth is jointly funded by the HMNZS Resolution and Council.
What are the criteria?
Candidates must be between 15 years old and Year 13. The criteria are general but the award is aimed at providing a ‘break in life’ to an individual with potential who, through financial, educational or social constraints, may not normally have the opportunity.
How do I apply?
Students don’t apply. In about August each year the Mayor’s office calls for nominations from principals at Campion College, Gisborne Boys’, Gisborne Girls’, Lytton, Ngata Memorial College, Te Waha o Rerekohu Area School, Waikohu College and Tolaga Bay Area School. Applications are in the form of a CV with supporting letters. Applicants then appear before the selection panel.
Who decides?
The panel comprises Council’s Mayor and Chief Executive and Gisborne RSA president.
How did it start?
The Royal New Zealand Navy bought the HMNZS Resolution (formerly the USNZ Tenacious) from the US Navy in October 1996. She entered service in 1998 with the roles of hydrography and acoustic research. Her renaming was linked to Captain Cook, his second and third voyages to the Pacific in 1772 and 1779 being on board the Resolution. When Gisborne’s 20-year association with HMNZS Monowai came to an end, it seemed logical for Gisborne to seek to continue its long association with naval vessels by offering to adopt HMNZS Resolution.
Council endorsed the district’s request to adopt HMNZS Resolution on 28 August 1997 and granted the Freedom of the City and District by Charter. The scholarship was approved in April 1999.