The Trust was incorporated in mid 2008 and registered as a Charitable Trust in 2009.

It was conceived and established by Dave Whittaker in order that interest received from a loan to The Naked Possum tourism venture (which he sees as being a valuable asset to the Golden Bay community in its own right) could then be directed back into the community for a variety of health care initiatives.

Dave’s primary purpose for the Trust is that it provide funding to improve the quality of life for the sick and elderly in the Golden Bay community. He has enlisted the following people as Trustees.

Naked Possum Trust makes its first two grants

(GB Weekly article - 28th May 2009)

A trust recently formed by the late Dave Whittaker to provide financial assistance to sick and elderly people in Golden Bay has selected two worthy recipients to receive grants.

A local resident and her family have received financial assistance for treatment at the Gawler Clinic in Australia, and a local organisation has received money to help with the purchase of equipment for its new centre.

Trust chairman Devon McLean, of Nelson, explained that the trust evolved from Dave’s connection with The Naked Possum.
“Dave was a great fan of what Jocelyn and Grant are achieving at The Naked Possum Café. He felt that their passion for the cause of ecological restoration and their enthusiasm for Golden Bay in some way mirrored his own and he felt that helping them succeed would be a part of his legacy to the community he loved.”

The other trustees are Kate Gregory from Nelson, and locals Elizabeth Warren, Belinda Barnes and Grant Fitz-William.
Mr McLean is a founding trustee and chairman of Project Crimson. He has connections with Golden Bay going back to 1959, when he attended Motupipi School. He and his wife also own property here.

The trust intends to call for applications three times a year, in April, July and October. Application forms and details are available from Heartlands in Takaka, The Naked Possum Café or from the Naked Possum website, <www.nakedpossum.com>.

Neil Wilson (www.gbweekly.co.nz)

Naked Possum Trust makes a further three grants

(GB Weekly - 11th September 2009)

The trust, recently formed by the late Dave Whittaker to provide financial assistance to sick and elderly in Golden Bay, has selected a further three recipients for fund allocation.

The GB Community Service Vehicle Trust for a chairlift in the new Wrinklies Bus.
St John Takaka for a networked computer to help with the training of officers.
The Joan Whiting Rest Home for two new hospital-approved electric beds.

A total allocation of $14,731

Naked Possum Trust makes another three grants

(2nd December 2009)

The Golden Bay Community Hospital for the purchase of a Roho mattress

(a special mattress which is designed to provide complete protection from pressure and therefore ensure maximum comfort. Such mattresses are very important in protecting the skin of fragile, sick people in the prevention of pressure ulcers)

The Joan Whiting Rest Home for 8 new hospital approved dining room chairs

(these chairs will replace the existing worn out equipment and benefit the residents greatly)

The Collingwood Volunteer Fire Brigade Trust for new equipment

(civil defence critical incident communication equipment for the fire station to enable better emergency communication in the Collingwood district)

A total allocation of $8,694.00

The next funding round will be advertised April 1st for allocation in May 2010.