Yarns, family stories and precious memories of Central Otago’s recent but somewhat more pioneering days are being recorded for all to enjoy, supported by the Central Otago Heritage Trust.

The Trust, who employ a heritage co-ordinator, was one of three organisations to gain a community grant last week from the Central Otago District Council(CODC).   

The gathering of oral histories is one of many projects which the organisation - the founding body of Heritage Central Otago – support.

Established in 2008, it represents the collective interests of local heritage community groups in protecting, preserving, and celebrating the region’s heritage.

On Wednesday the CODC granted $13,334 to the group for work for the next six months and $40,000 for programme co-ordination for the 2022/2023 financial year.

Central Otago Heritage Trust chairperson, David Ritchie of Clyde. Image COHT

It had also successfully gained funds from other sources for the oral histories project and this would enable it to continue for another two years. It was planned that an online repository for the stories, gathered by a large group of trained volunteers, would be set up, chairperson David Ritchie told council on Wednesday.

Arts and Pipe Band supported

The Central Otago District Arts Trust(CODAT) gained identical funding and $2,500 was granted to the Alexandra and Districts Pipe Band to help with hall hire.

Speaking to council during a public forum, CODAT arts co-ordinator Rebekah de Jong said demand for the group’s services were growing and the work was carried out “on a very tight budget”.

The group work to ensure the arts in Central Otago are well resourced, supported and promoted.

Council have now opened the next round of grants, and applications close at the end of July. 

For district wide community grants, there is $60,727 left to allocate for the 2022/2023 financial year following this week’s decisions.