New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Distribution of Funds
New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Distribution of Funds
New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Distribution of Funds
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West Coast/Nelson Community Committee<br />
LITTLE ITALY OF THE<br />
SOUTH<br />
After fund-raising and hard work by its<br />
members, and grants totalling $38,000<br />
from the West Coast / Nelson-Marlborough<br />
Community Committee, the Italia Club has<br />
renovated its Nelson clubhouse and created<br />
a garden for the enjoyment <strong>of</strong> its members<br />
and the wider community.<br />
Italians originally came to the top <strong>of</strong> the<br />
South Island at the end <strong>of</strong> the 19th century<br />
to escape poverty and lack <strong>of</strong> opportunity in<br />
their homeland.<br />
Though they are now thoroughly integrated<br />
with mainstream <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>, they feel it is<br />
important to keep their customs and values<br />
alive and teach their children about their<br />
background. They also want to share their<br />
culture with other Nelsonians.<br />
Club Italia, established in 1931, <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
Nelson’s Italians a place to meet, play cards<br />
and quaff a glass <strong>of</strong> wine. It celebrates<br />
spring and religious festivals, and supports<br />
community activities – sports and social –<br />
which originally helped newcomers become<br />
part <strong>of</strong> local life.<br />
In 2008, the club received $28,000 <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Lottery</strong> funds for Stage 1 <strong>of</strong> its project,<br />
which was to create an outdoor area that<br />
would be safe for children. A perimeter fence<br />
with a security gate was erected around a<br />
landscaped area with a playground and food<br />
preparation facilities.<br />
The garden was planted with lime, lemon and<br />
olive trees, the fruits <strong>of</strong> which are essential<br />
ingredients for Italian cooking. An old fishing<br />
boat that harks back to the early immigrants’<br />
livelihoods as fishermen was placed in the<br />
garden for the bambini to play in.<br />
The outdoor cooking area boasts a hugewood-fired<br />
pizza oven as well as a barbecue<br />
– working symbols <strong>of</strong> both Italian and Kiwi<br />
food traditions.<br />
The club has just been granted $10,000 to<br />
upgrade its community hall for the use <strong>of</strong> its<br />
members and other ethnic or migrant groups.<br />
The improved facilities will enable Club Italia<br />
to help new Kiwi Italians adjust to life in<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> and share their culture with the<br />
wider community.<br />
With the help <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lottery</strong> funds, this hardworking<br />
ethnic community is able to support<br />
others as well as themselves.<br />
38 <strong>Lottery</strong> <strong>Grants</strong> Record 2008–2009 Regional Community Committees
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