Legacy fund supports tourism and development

Tourism Eastland Society Incorporated has officially closed its doors after four decades of dedicated efforts in promoting the region to tourists, new residents, and businesses. As a parting gift to the community, the society has established a fund with Sunrise to support tourism growth and development in the region for future generations. 

Penny Shaw, a founding member of Tourism Eastland Society, expressed her pride in creating a lasting legacy for regional tourism through the newly established fund.  

“Our fund with Sunrise will be used to promote tourism initiatives and will include an annual scholarship grant to support a senior tourism student from one of our local high schools,” she explained.

Since 2019, the Society has awarded five scholarships to secondary school students pursuing careers in tourism, and these scholarships will continue through their new legacy fund with Sunrise. Lytton High School’s Ripiiata Paul was the 2024 scholarship recipient, who began her studies at the NZ School of Tourism in Hamilton in January. 

Penny Shaw and Chris Savage from Tourism Eastland Society present Ripiiata Paul (centre) with her tourism scholarhsip.

“I was so grateful to receive the scholarship, it will help so much. I hope when I finish my studies to get a job in hotel management,” says Ripiiata.

Penny and her fellow committee members encourage others to actively support the new fund, aiming to increase its impact for the benefit of local tourism and future industry leaders. All donations made to Tourism Eastland Legacy fund with Sunrise are invested, protected, and grown to keep up with inflation. 

Chris Savage, President of Tourism Eastland, believes the fund will provide greater advantages to local tourism, stating, “The fund with Sunrise guarantees long-term benefits for the tourism community. While this marks the end of an era for us, it also signals the start of new opportunities.”