An explanation from Ron Gibbard- Reunion Treasurer and now member of the XOtaki  Foundation Trust

As many of you will know the 2009 50^th Jubilee Reunion at Otaki College was a great success with 450 people registering and 415 attending the Saturday Night Dinner.

At first enrolment numbers came in very slowly at first and we set our budgeting on an attendance of 150. One week out from the Reunion weekend enrolments reached that 150 and the Organising Committee were relieved to know that we would break even financially.  In the final week a further 300 people enrolled!  - Some of you will remember we had to ‘close’ the Saturday night Dinner off.

In spite of two happy hours (free drinks) on both Friday and Saturday nights to try to return some of your money we still ended the weekend with a net profit of $9000!

The Jubilee Committee agreed that those funds would be invested as a Term Deposit, with the interest to fund annual scholarships for two Year 10 (that is the new lingo for Form 4) students who best exemplify the Otaki College motto Kia Kaha. We selected students who were fully involved with activities in their school, and who encouraged others to become involved also.  Since November 2009, 12 students have been awarded these scholarships, in recognition of their leadership in the Junior part of the College.  In total $2400 has been awarded to students.

With the formation in 2014 of the new XOtaki College Trust the Reunion Committee agreed to give the Trust $500 towards setup costs.  It has also agreed since that the remaining Jubilee funds – around $8880 -should be transferred into the new Trust.  In turn the Trust has made a commitment to maintain the annual Jubilee scholarships for two Year 10 students. 

As a result of these decisions XOtaki  pupils who attended the 2009 Reunion will continue to have a direct impact on today’s students at Otaki College.

PS When would you want the next Reunion?

Ron Gibbard