Latest news with #LightUpWinter
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Community groups awarded grants
Two Central Otago community groups received significant grants in the latest round of Otago Community Trust (OCT) grants. The Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust (Puna Rangatahi) was awarded $30,000 to fund a range of youth programmes. Puna Rangatahi is a not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2011, to support young people from the ages of 10 to 24 in the Vincent Ward, Teviot Valley, and Maniototo Valley. Young people and their whānau are assisted with accessing resources and information, opportunities and guidance. A spokesperson said the OCT funding would enable the trust to maintain their comprehensive youth services, including drop-in sessions, mentoring programmes and community events. The grant also supported vital outreach initiatives that extended from Millers Flat to Maniototo, ensuring young people in those rural areas had direct access to essential support services. Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group was granted $25,000 to support community events including Light Up Winter and the Cromwell Street Party and Fireworks. Light Up Winter attracted nearly 6000 people last weekend to Anderson Park, in Cromwell, for an evening of entertainment, food and socialising before the annual lantern lighting, which captivated people all around the town as the glowing lanterns rose skyward. OCT was formed by statute in 1988 to hold and manage the shares of Trust Bank Otago. In 1996 the shares were sold. That sale gave the trust its founding capital of $131million to invest. OTC uses a portion of the profits each year to support community groups and projects throughout Otago. OTC receives no income from other funders or gaming machines. Central Otago grants Alexandra Central Otago Whitewater Inc $3000 Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust $2972 Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust $30,000 Ōmakau Bowling Club $10,500 Alexandra Toy Library$1500 Cromwell Cromwell Scout Group $10,000 Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group Inc $25,000 Chamber Music at the World's Edge Foundation$5000 Ranfurly Radio Charity $3500 Roxburgh Roxburgh Area School $10,000
Otago Daily Times
08-08-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Significant boost given to community groups in grants
Two Central Otago community groups received significant grants in the latest round of Otago Community Trust (OCT) grants. The Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust (Puna Rangatahi) was awarded $30,000 to fund a range of youth programmes. Puna Rangatahi is a not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2011, to support young people between 10-24-years-old in the Vincent Ward, Teviot Valley, and Māniatoto Valley. Young people and their whānau are assisted with accessing resources and information, opportunities and guidance. A spokesperson said the OCT funding would enable the trust to maintain its comprehensive youth services, including drop-in sessions, mentoring programmes and community events. The grant also supported vital outreach initiatives that extended from Millers Flat to Maniototo, ensuring young people in those rural areas had direct access to essential support services. Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group was granted $25,000 to support community events including Light Up Winter and the Cromwell Street Party and Fireworks events. Light Up Winter attracted nearly 6000 people last weekend to Anderson Park, in Cromwell, for an evening of entertainment, food and socialising before the annual lantern lighting. OCT was formed by statute in 1988, to hold and manage the shares of Trust Bank Otago. In 1996, the shares were sold. That sale gave the trust its founding capital of $131million to invest. The trust uses a portion ofthe profits each year to supportcommunity groups and projects throughout Otago. It receives no income from other funders or gaming machines. — Allied Media Otago Community Trust Central Otago grants Alexandra Central Otago Whitewater Inc $3000 Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust $2972 Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust $30,000 Omakau Bowling Club $10,500 Alexandra Toy Library $1500 Cromwell Cromwell Scout Group $10,000 Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group Inc $25,000 Chamber Music at the World's Edge Foundation $5000 Ranfurly Radio Charity $3500 Roxburgh Roxburgh Area School $10,000
Otago Daily Times
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Making light of winter gets mass approval
The highlight of the Light Up Winter festival in Cronwell is the mass release of lanterns into the dark Central Otago sky. This year the lanterns would be collected, sent to a worm farm and made into compost. PHOTOS: ELLA JENKINS The atmosphere at Cromwell's Anderson Park Rose Garden was joyful as visitors relished the sights and sounds at this year's Light Up Winter event held on Saturday. Event co-ordinator Anthea Lawrence reckoned there were between 5000 and 6000 visitors during the evening. Plenty of time was spent organising this year's event, with Mrs Lawrence joking that in the days leading up to the event her house looked like a crew from the Hoarders TV show was about to arrive. The whole family chipped in to help Mrs Lawrence's husband, Trevor, make a lit-up sign for the event and assist with the setting up. Son Ed came home from university to help out as well, she said. "Like we're very happy. The night is great. We're happy with the turnout," Mrs Lawrence said. This year, crowd favourites such as Thomas the Train, the fire dancers and fairies made returns, but there were some new additions too. "More things going on. Vintage fire truck ... bigger, better mulled wine tents," Mrs Lawrence said. Trevor Lawrence, his wife and event co-ordinator, Anthea, and Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group marketing and communications manager Tanya Dennis pose with the sign Mr Lawrence made. More food stalls were also added to address demand. "We're hoping that everyone's happy with not waiting too long," Mrs Lawrence said. Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group marketing and communications manager Tanya Dennis said people from across New Zealand and from overseas came to visit, with some co-ordinating the event with their ski trips. The highlight of the night was the lighting and release of lanterns. A thousand were sold and they were so popular there was a waiting list, Mrs Dennis said. Those who had lanterns flocked to the field to let them go and admire them as they climbed into the dark Central Otago sky. Mrs Dennis said the event allowed people to get out and meet their neighbours, see their friends and connect with the community during the darkest days of winter. "Everyone feels that the event is heartwarming," she said.
Otago Daily Times
27-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
New rescue helipad ‘wonderful'
More than 70% of lanterns available to purchase for the Light Up Winter event have been sold with less than a month to go before the event in Cromwell on August 2.
Otago Daily Times
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Event lanterns flying out
Lanterns being launched at the Light Up Winter event in Cromwell in 2019. PHOTO: TIKITIKI PHOTOGRAPHY More than 70% of lanterns available to purchase for the Light Up Winter event have been sold with less than a month to go before the event in Cromwell on August 2. Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group marketing and communications manager Tanya Dennis said the lanterns were available to buy online only and while stocks lasted. If an event-goer missed out on getting a lantern, there was still plenty of offer at the event, she said. "Being a spectator in the crowd still gives you all the warm 'fuzzies'. Let's just say that the buzz and exhilaration of seeing masses of lanterns floating into the night sky is mesmerising across age-groups — heart-warming and magical." The lanterns used in the event would be biodegradable and free from wire that could harm birds. The morning after the event, volunteers would be out collecting discarded lanterns, which would then be passed on to Central Wormworx "The tiger worms process the material into vermicast — a nutrient-rich natural fertiliser used by gardeners across Central Otago," she said. This year's event would also have 25 food vendors, twice as many as last year, offering a diverse range of food. Cromwell Lions Food Caravan, Mr Whippy, Matsui Sushi, Luisteambunz, and Smokorun would be some of the vendors on the night as well as the popular mulled wine tent, she said. There would be something for all ages at the event, with a roving magician, illuminated performers, live music and fire dancers to entertain visitors. "Thomas", the train on the Greenway Express, would also be making a return, she said. Mrs Dennis said there would be surprising elements to be revealed on the night, adding extra sparkle and wonder to the event. Attendees are encouraged to register for the Light Up Your Hat competition, in which participants of all ages can show off their creations on stage, in a fun, feel-good parade. This year's competition would include a corporate category for the first time, she said.
