Newspaper Article 1989 – Academy bid successful

Academy bid successful

The Napier Cadet Academy has been successful with it’s $500,000 bid to buy Eskdale’s Beck House.

Social Welfare Minister Michael Cullen announced yesterday that the bid had been successful. The announcement was greeted with jubilation by the people who had been involved with the 18-month struggle to raise the necessary funds.

“Absolutely marvellous. I’ve known we’ve been in the running for some time, but I’m glad it’s all official now” was the initial reaction of academy manager Ivan Wilson.

He was quick to pay tribute to all the people and organisations involved with the fundraising. But he added that the academy was still $100,000 short and he is on the hunt for support to raise this shortfall.

A major fundraising activity planned is the April 1990 Celebrations walks from Taupo to Napier. Mr Wilson is also confident of securing various grants and gaining assistance from a number of service clubs.

Funds raised to date include $120,000 from the Department of Justice, $80,000 of the Academy’s own funds and a $200,000 interest-free loan from the Department of Social Welfare which is to be paid back over four years.

The money for these funds will come from tenants who rent the academy’s seven houses and four flats.

Beck House is a former Department of Social Welfare children’s home which the academy has been leasing for some months. Mr Cullen said recent attempts to sell it had been unsuccessful.

He praised the academy’s work with at-risk youth.

“It is one of the few groups which actually prevent young people from being recruited into anti-social behaviour, especially gang activity.”

Mr Cullen added that the government’s caucus committee on gangs has endorsed the academy’s work and was strongly supportive of the sale.

Mr Wilson said that it was largely the work of the academy’s two sergeants, Harry Smith and Gladys Dick, who get the results with the youth, that this support was gained.

“They prepare these at-risk youth for re-entry into the community as worthy working citizens”. “I’m pleased with the outcome, it’s been a long hard struggle”’ said Taiwhenua O Whanganui A-Orotu chairman Toro Waaka.

Mr Waaka praised the input of the justice and social welfare departments in the purchase.

“For a while I was wondering where their priorities were.”

Chairman of the academy’s trustees, Brian Williams said the academy has contributed to a decline in minor offending within the Napier police district.

Twenty people are on the academy’s current six-week intake and their passing out parade will be held on December 16.

Photo caption –

GOOD NEWS FOLKS. Napier Cadet Academy’s chairman of trustees Brian Williams signs the purchase agreement. Flanking him from left are Sergeant Gladys Dick, Sergeant Major Kevin Ngawhare, Sergeant Harry Smith, academy manager Ivan Wilson and Taiwhenua O Whanganui A-Orotu chairman Toro Waaka.