About
The Eastgate Community Trust Establishment
Eastgate Community Trust was Established in December 1998. The Trust is incorporated as a Trust board under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957.
The Trust has a Certificate of registration with the Charities Commission – Reg No CC32055.
Purpose of the Trust
The Trust was established to assist people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, there was a lack of such facilities and services in the Pakuranga-Howick area. Families expressed that they wanted choices and opportunities for their sons and daughters.
Eastgate Day Service is contracted for
* Community Participation
* Ongoing training programmes
The governments disability policy, stated in the New Zealand Disability Strategy (2016-2026) and Enabling Good Lives, makes it clear that one of the key policies for disabled people is to increase their participation in the community. The Trustee’s view is that, to maximize the potential of disabled people and thus to enable them to participate in the community to the maximum extent possible. The process of learning and development continues after a student leaves school.
Location
The Trust operates from 2 purpose built facilities. The latest facility was completed in March 2020.
We are situated on the north-west corner of Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga and are within walking distance of many community facilities.
Eastgate Community Trust is well known within the local community. The service users have established many contacts within their local community.
Operational Funding
The Whaikaha/Ministry of Disabled People provide partial funding towards the costs of operating the service that the Eastgate Community Trust provides.
We also acknowledge funding support from Lottery NZ/C.O.G.S/Highland Park Masonic Trust/Auckland Council.
Learning
Caring
Friendship
Our Trustees
The Trustees are Nettie Knetsch, Troy Cleave, Graeme Burman, Pauline Bowles, David Holland and Felicity Bell.
Nettie Knetsch – Chair
Nettie is currently employed by Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau and has many years’ experience as a Clinician and manager in health and disability services in the Auckland region. Nettie has been on the Eastgate Community Trust board since its inception.
Troy Cleave
Troy has been a Trustee since 2012. His family has been involved in the disability sector for nearly 30 years. This led Troy to his first full time role as a Transition Co-ordinator at Spectrum Care Trust after graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce.
His Interest in business and passion for helping others has led Troy to open a business in 2011 in Howick. The business is centred on creating positive changes in peoples lives through health care.
Becoming a Trustee was an easy decision for Troy as he worked alongside Eastgate during his time at Spectrum Care. Troy believes in Eastgate’s vision and differences we are making in the community “it’s a great place to be a part of and I intend to be a part of Eastgate’s future”.
Graeme Burman
Graeme was involved in the building industry for over 40 years, owning his own building company for 30 of those years. In 2010 Graeme was employed as the Operations Manager for Eastgate Community Trust, retiring in 2017. Graeme has been on the Eastgate Trust Board since its inception. He has had extensive involvement in both of the Eastgate buildings, from planning through to completion. Graeme’s involvement and interest in the Trust began when his son started attending the day programme.
Pauline Bowles
Pauline has a background in education. Before she retired, she taught for several years in a satellite class of Sommerville Special School. Before becoming a Trustee in 2011, Pauline volunteered at Eastgate helping to implement the client’s Lifestyle Plans. Pauline continues to enjoy her community involvement through Eastgate Trust.
David Holland
David was employed by Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau as a doctor for 40 years until his recent retirement. David’s involvement and interest in the Trust has been sparked by his son who attends Eastgate’s day programme.
Felicity Bell
Felicity has worked in the disability sector for many years. She has been employed at Eastgate since 2002, working in a variety of roles including the planning, development and fund raising for Eastgate’s two purpose-built facilities.
In 2017 Felicity was appointed Operations Manager and a Trustee.
Confidence
Independence