New fund to help sustainable farming school at Waipaoa
12 February 2018 - Sunrise Foundation
The trustees have established the Waipaoa Station Farm Cadet Training Trust (WSFCTT) Endowment Fund at the Sunrise Foundation to help build long term financial stability into the organisation.
Ken Shaw, WSFCTT Chair, says although they have been operating for ten years and are pleased with the progress they have made, a reliable ongoing source of revenue is their biggest challenge.
“We are lucky to have had the generous support of many individuals and organisations in the agricultural industry, which has helped us build Waipaoa into the success it now is. Even so we have to secure our sponsorship every year, and we know we can’t rely on the same people and organisations to keep giving year on year.”
Ken added that although Waipaoa is growing the future leaders of red meat production, and beef and sheep as large export industries are crucial for New Zealand, they do not receive government funding.
“Waipaoa is one of the few cadet schemes to provide theory, practical and full residential training. Trainees study toward National Certificate qualifications while experiencing the annual farm cycle first hand.”
Denver Palmer, WSFCTT Manager, says feedback from employers and industry representatives are that Waipaoa trainees display an in-depth knowledge of general farm practice, are work ready and have a reputation for being well-rounded, confident and motivated to achieve.
“After ten years we have graduated fifty well trained cadets and now have employers coming to us to seek out our cadets as they finish. We’re proud to be shaping the people who will help shape the future of beef and sheep farming in New Zealand.”
The trustees and advisory board want to provide potential supporters with a transparent and safe means to do so and feel the endowment model at Sunrise provides the perfect vehicle. John Osborne, WSFCTT Advisory Board, says one of the biggest challenges and a key focus for the board is to secure long term financial sustainability.
“It may appear that we are growing and prospering as an organisation, but the reality is every year we are a few key sponsors away from not balancing the books. We know there are people and organisations out there that are passionate about training young people in sustainable farming. We hope our new endowment fund will be an avenue for them to help us create a meaningful legacy for Waipaoa.”
Ken added that they believe with the help of Sunrise the Waipaoa fund will grow into a significant source of reliable income to help future guardians continue the work they have started.
“The business of fundraising is specialised and not necessarily something that we, with our farming backgrounds, are good at. We hope future income from the fund will free up management to concentrate more on improving the learning environment and education.”
Glenda Stokes, Sunrise Executive Officer, says the team at Waipaoa have done a fantastic job so far and she is confident Sunrise will be able to help them further their fundraising efforts.
“We will work hard on behalf of Waipaoa to find new supporters. As well as donations, we do extensive work in the area of bequests. Wealth and inheritance are sensitive subjects and sometimes people find it easier to deal with a third party such as Sunrise when realising their philanthropic goals.”
All donations to the Waipaoa Station Farm Cadet Training Trust Endowment Fund will be invested, protected and grown to keep up with inflation. The surplus investment income will be returned to Waipaoa Station Farm Cadet Training Trust each year.
Donate now to the Waipaoa Fund
Newsletters
- AUTUMN 2024AUTUMN-2024.pdf - (525 KB)
- Summer 2023Summer-2023.pdf - (551 KB)
- Spring 2023Spring-2023.pdf - (515 KB)
- Winter 2023Winter-2023.pdf - (541 KB)
- Autumn 2023Autumn-2023.pdf - (549 KB)
- Summer 2022Summer-2022.pdf - (560 KB)
- SPRING 2022SPRING-2022.pdf - (451 KB)
- Winter 2022Winter-2022.pdf - (1 MB)
- Autumn 2022Autumn-2022.pdf - (460 KB)
- Summer 2021Summer-2021.pdf - (553 KB)
- Spring 2021Spring-2021.pdf - (1.1 MB)
- Winter 2021Winter-2021.pdf - (606 KB)
- Autumn 2021Autumn-2021.pdf - (568 KB)
- Summer 2020Summer-2020.pdf - (584 KB)
- Spring 2020Spring-2020.pdf - (548 KB)
- Winter 2020Winter-2020.pdf - (548 KB)
- Autumn 2020Autumn-2020.pdf - (478 KB)
- Summer 2019Summer-2019.pdf - (1.4 MB)
- Spring 2019Spring-2019.pdf - (493 KB)
- Winter 2019Winter-2019.pdf - (436 KB)
- Autumn 2019Autumn-2019.pdf - (943 KB)
- Summer 2018Summer-2018.pdf - (408 KB)
- Spring 2018Spring-2018.pdf - (349 KB)
- Winter 2018Winter-2018.pdf - (277 KB)
- Autumn 2018Autumn-2018.pdf - (303 KB)
- Summer 2017Summer-2017.pdf - (276 KB)
- Winter 2017Winter-2017.pdf - (1.2 MB)
- Autumn 2017Autumn-2017.pdf - (413 KB)