The Hamilton Squash and Tennis Club received a grant to enable them to resurface eight of their tennis courts. Attached are some before and after photos of our FABULOUS new tennis courts which were resurfaced April 11 2011 after a huge fund raising effort and grant funding.
To help you understand to difference the new courts have already made to the community. We held a “JUNIOR” tennis open day on the 30th September and had a fantastic turn out which meant we needed to run another night the following week. The first week saw the club sign up 24 new juniors on the night and a further 4 the next Friday. The club is EXTREMELY grateful for the contribution from WEL Energy Trust towards this project!
 

On behalf of all members of the Executive Committee of the Waikato Multicultural Council Inc I thank the WEL Energy Trust for the financial support provided to the Council to celebrate the Multicultural Day in Hamilton held on 8th October 2011. We all are very pleased with the outcome and the response we had from different ethnic groups to participate in the event highlighting their culture and values through their performances was overwhelming. The response from the general public attending the occasion was evident from the fact that the hall was full to capacity. Thank you once again for your financial support which helped us to celebrate the colours, cultures, art and warmth of this growing mosaic of New Zealand community.
 

The North Waikato Blue Light led by Police and volunteers and has been active in the Ngaruawahia/Huntly/Raglan areas for over 10 years. They are involved in a range of activities including the Ngaruawahia Community Youth Holiday Programme, Coromandel fishing trip, Raglan skateboarding and the Ngaruawahia Driver Education. Blue Light aims to provide positive recreation and social experiences for young people to learn social skills, build self-esteem and develop community pride. Blue Light aims to provide positive on-going alternatives in situations where young people are at risk of becoming offenders or victims of crime.

The Waikato Rivertones received a grant which allowed them to pay for coaching and purchase new music. This assisted them to become New Zealand’s current champion four-part harmony chorus, heading to Denver next year to compete in the world championships. More than 80 women members from throughout the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, King Country, Auckland and Taupo sing with the Rivertones. They’re aged from 16 to over 70, and from all walks of life.

WEL Energy Trust has supported True Colours Charitable Trust with funding towards a Counsellor’s salary. True Colours provides a 24/7, free of charge service, supporting children who suffer from chronic, serious or life threatening illness and their families. Since our founding in May 2004 we have received 762 referrals. WEL Energy Trust is one of the sponsors that allow us to continue these children and their families. THANK YOU WEL Energy Trust - we are truly grateful for your help.

Thanks so much for your generous support of our 5 Bridges swimming event this year. With the funds we were able to purchase a laptop computer and printer which we used on site for the event. We also purchased swim caps for all of the participants. We had 130 registered swimmers, with 126 completing the event. The day was a perfect success.

Camp Waingaro Committee have been converting a hall at the campsite to bunkrooms. Through the provision of this grant we have been able to paint and oil the interior of the bunkrooms and have nearly completed all outstanding work on this project. The bunkrooms are now being used by our youth and leaders staying at Camp Waingaro. Thank you to WEL Energy Trust for this grant which has helped us greatly towards completing this project.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Children and Parents of Horsham Downs School, I would like to say thank you to the WEL Energy Trust for their donation that contributed to the School being able to purchase two much needed sunshades to cover the Junior playground and sandpit. The Sun Shades are a great addition to the school and, I think you will agree (from the attached photos) look fantastic as well as protecting the children from the sun. Once again on thank you for the contribution made by the WEL Energy trust.
 

Well we got there, building is finished, some days I thought we might not get there, but we did. Building started early March as planned although we had a few delays along the way.  Once again I thank the WEL Energy Trust for supporting this project.
 

The Head Injury Society Waikato was able to negotiate and send head injured people to the local gym for rehabilitation. The program is to enhance their fitness, self esteem, overcome fatigue, balance and overall wellbeing. One of the head injured participants who suffered a stroke afterwards was left with left side hemiplegia. He regained mobility and dexterity and we were delighted that he was able to run in the 5km marathon several months later. Previously he was contemplating suicide because of his inability to maintain and keep his job and care for his family. As a result he has now gained employment at a high level and has confidence within himself. He is continuing with the exercise.

NO MORE ACHING BACKS! Athletics Waikato-Bay of Plenty have taken delivery of a refreshed electric utility which will be pressed into service when their Summer season gets underway at Porritt Stadium, Hamilton. In the past this organisation had to rely upon willing helpers to drag their equipment trailers (piled high with hurdles or starting blocks) to various points around the stadium. Now, thanks to WEL Energy Trust, those helpers can relax a little, and let this vehicle do the work instead.

The grant from the WEL Energy Trust has helped the Ace Swimming Club with its continued growth and development. The club works hard to encourage youth development and fitness in an affordable way. The vast majority of swimmers are aged from 7-17 and the contribution we received from WEL Energy Trust has meant that we have been able to absorb increases in pool hire charges and not increase the cost of swimming to our youth and future.
 

Hamilton's Opus Orchestra performs regularly at the wonderful WEL Academy venue in the Waikato University Campus. The Board and Players of Opus are very grateful for the financial support given by WEL Energy Trust to the orchestra which enables us to perform up to 15 concerts per year throughout the region.

"The continued support from WEL Energy Trust has meant that we can positively impact on more than 600 Hamilton young people through the Project K and Kiwi Can programmes. Positive youth development projects like these are an investment in our future that we can all reap the benefits of."

On behalf of the Turner Syndrome Support Group NZ Inc, I would like to thank you for your generous donation towards our first leadership training course for our members which was held this year. Without this contribution this would have not been possible.

With your support we have given our members the opportunity to participate and learn new skills with a professional assisting in this area.