Mercury names recipients of its Oamaru Community Fund

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Mercury names recipients of its Oamaru Community Fund

01 SEPTEMBER 2023 – Six community groups receive their share of $5,000 from Mercury’s Oamaru Community Fund.

The recipients of Mercury’s Oamaru Community Fund July round each showed a connection with:

• Manaakitanga – caring for our communities and people and putting people at the heart of the decision.

• Kaitiakitanga – taking up the role of guardian and protector of our environment, for future generations.

• Sustainability – improving, growing, learning and adapting in smart ways to make a difference.

“We’re pleased to support the community in Oamaru and surrounds where many of our team live, work and play,” says Mercury General Manager Customer Operations, Fiona Smith. “It’s a privilege to be able to help these groups with some financial assistance to help them achieve their goals and aspirations in this community.”

The successful applicants were:

Youthline Otago

Youthline Otago provide young people aged between 12-24 with support, knowledge, and resources to empower them to develop resilience and skills to support their own mental health and wellbeing, and that of their peers. Mercury’s funding will support Youthline Otago to have a part-time counsellor visit Oamaru once a week to provide face-to-face counselling support for young people in the Waitaki area.

North Otago Riding for the Disabled

In order to help children and adults with social, intellectual or physical challenges develop confidence, self-esteem and independence, the North Otago Riding for the Disabled association provide opportunities for positive interaction with horses through riding and/or groundwork Mercury’s funding will assist in a project to upgrade and improve the water reticulation system which services water troughs for the horses on their block of land.

Waitaki Valley Community Society

The Waitaki Valley Community Society Inc is an umbrella group to six smaller sub-groups in the Waitaki and Hakataramea Valley, providing those groups with financial and legal support allowing them to focus on their individual purposes (Kurow Island, Kurow Wetland, Kurow Hill, Kurow Museum, Kurow Information Centre and Dunkirk Memorial Group). Mercury’s funding will go towards the annual subscription of their accounting software.

North Otago Scouts

Mercury’s funding will help send 16 North Otago Scouts and three leaders to this year’s national Scout Jamboree being held at Mystery Creek in Hamilton. Attending Jamboree is a growth opportunity for those who attend to build new connections, learn new skills and find new ways of working together – all skills that will put these young people in good stead as they grow. North Otago scouts have long been an active and contributing part of the Waitaki community.

North Otago Four Wheel Drive Club

The North Otago Four Wheel Drive Club are a group of enthusiasts who use 4WD vehicles to get to remote areas not otherwise accessible and encourage the safe use of the vehicles in considerate manner. Mercury’s funding will help the club to purchase an Automatic External Defibrillator to add to the safety equipment they already carry.

The Lower Waitaki Playcentre

The Lower Waitaki Playcentre has been operating for 50 years and provides a safe and supportive environment for

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young children in Papakaio to learn and be nurtured and for young families to make connections. Mercury’s funding will assist in the upgrade and refresh of some of their key play spaces in the centre.

The next round of the fund opens on 1 November with applications closing on 30 November.

For more information head to www.mercury.co.nz/oamaru-community-fund ENDS

For media queries, please contact: Andrew Young Communications Advisor 027 210 5337

mercurycommunications@mercury.co.nz

ABOUT MERCURY NZ LIMITED

Mercury generates electricity from 100% renewable sources: hydro, geothermal and wind. We are also a retailer of electricity, gas, broadband and mobile services. We’re listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and the Australian Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol ‘MCY’, with foreign exempt listed status. The New Zealand Government holds a legislated minimum 51% shareholding in the Company.

Visit us at: www.mercury.co.nz

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