Next month we say farewell and a huge thank you to Dawn Sanders ONZM, QSM, and Jan Dowland who have both served the WCT board for 9 years. We asked them to talk about some of the projects and organisations they’ve been most excited to support:

Jan: “It is difficult to single out particular projects that we have supported as highlights. I am proud that the Trust is able to make a contribution to such a diverse range of initiatives. What does stand out for me was the delight of young primary school children at a visit from Orchestra Wellington musicians who performed magic with their huge brass band instruments. Similarly  the seriousness with which another group of school children absorbed the messages from Sustainable Coastlines on the dangers of plastic pollution, was inspiring. It was great to be able to observe first hand the impact of the work of these two amazing organisations.

The annual Community Awards were always a highlight and served as a reminder of the great work volunteers do, day in and day out, to ensure everyone can participate in the economic, cultural, social and recreational life of their community.”

Dawn: “Sustaining the funding of the NZ Festival’s Education Programme means delivering high quality New Zealand and international performances and workshop/learning experience opportunities to young people. It’s also great to support enterprising young volunteers. It has given me great pleasure to see the Trust support such a breadth of organisations such as Sustainability Trustand Arts Access Aotearoa, which enhance a sense of purpose and self-worth in so many people with mutual benefits for them and their communities”.