The Waipu Museum Society now has an initial operational endowment fund of $38,000, thanks to the generosity of Marvyn and Doug Smith.
Marvyn and Doug are altruists. They say that they have been fortunate in their life and the choices they have made. They are proud to be in a position to provide significant funds to worthy organisations. Giving with a warm hand rather than a cold heart is a pleasure they enjoy.After a long time looking, Marvyn found land at Waipu Cove which had the WOW factor. She could see potential past the gorse ridden pasture. They worked hard to develop buildings and a garden landscape. When, finally able to subdivide they covenanted the roadside slopes to the QE2 Open Space Trust to preserve the native landscape.The proceeds from subdivision provided more money than they needed so they set up their Charitable Trust. With their prudent stewardship, they have been able to support youth achievement and many charities (mainly local) particularly those with a strong volunteer base. Waipu is renowned for the volunteers that serve the community in so many ways.Getting older, Marvyn and Doug decided to wind up their Trust and distribute the money to the organisations they have favoured. They hope that the funds provided will continue to encourage and support the great contribution volunteers make.One of the beneficiaries of Marvyn and Doug’s altruism is the Waipu Museum. Marvyn is a keen supporter and gives her time readily and happily as a volunteer. Their gift to the Museum has been tagged as an operational fund. It will be endowed through the Waipu Endowment Fund Trust, which is a subsidiary of the Northland Foundation. The money will be invested, and the capital retained so that the interest can be used as a sustainable pool for the use of the Museum in perpetuity.The Museum in turn has determined to encourage its stakeholders and supporters to match Marvyn and Doug’s gift dollar for dollar, and once that has been achieved to also match the amount plus a little more to bring the entire fund to $100,000.The Waipu Museum and many other local organisations can be thankful that there are people like Marvyn and Doug in their community. Theirs is a gift that will go on giving.
