The Incorporation of the Awarua Trust has been the brain child of Edna Money. Edna has lived in the Morrinsville Community all her life. She undertook all her schooling here and her father used to run the local taxi business early last century.
She became an Accountant and was in public practice for many years. Throughout her lifetime of being involved as an Accountant, Edna has also had strong ties to the agricultural scene and in particular, dairy farming. She has had hands on experience with both running and managing a dairy farm. She currently works closely with a farm advisor and regularly attends meetings with the 50/50 contract milker she currently has working on her own farm.
Edna also has strong Christian beliefs. She feels that the various denominations play an important role in the local community.
She has a passion to ensure sustainable food practices are carried out throughout the world and believes young people's education should be improved to ensure this is achieved.
Edna has also had specific interests throughout her lifetime with the Pacific Islands. This is particularly so with the Solomon Islands where she has visited several times. Her two sisters had been Missionaries there for a number of years. Edna still has close contacts with the Solomon Islands and feels that because of the poverty that they endure, a helping hand is required to ensure people are educated to benefit others within their community.
Over the years Edna has discussed how she could benefit other people both during her lifetime and after she has passed. After a lot of conversation and discussion, it was decided that a Charitable Trust would be a fantastic vehicle for achieving a lot of her lifetime goals.
The Awarua Trust was subsequently established in March 2007.
In the 2009 and 2010 financial years the Trustees have provided scholarships to individuals and grants to local Community groups in excess of $26,000. It is a pleasure for the Trustees to assist local community groups and share in the successes of the scholarship applicants.