Bernie Knowles Bequest

Bernie Knowles, a former President of RCW, left a substantial bequest to the Club to be invested. The interest earned was to be applied to "the provision of services related to the welfare of the elderly".

Applications for funding are welcomed each year and must be submitted to the Secretary of the Rotary Club of Wellington by 31 August each year at PO Box 13 425, Wellington 6440.  The application forms are available from the link below.

The criteria for grants are as follows:

1. Facilities and Services for the Elderly

Upon application from recognised providers of services to the elderly, the provision of a grant

• to enable the acquisition of a piece of equipment to be used in elder care - either in an institution or in a domestic situation (could be anything from medically related to provision of a radio of TV for person who is immobile).
• to upgrade facilities used for the care of the elderly (something to enhance the provision of services in a rest home for example).
• Provision of a one-off grant towards operating expenses.

2. In  service training

• Provision of scholarship/s or grants to those working in the field of aged care to advance knowledge and/or capacity to enhance treatment, support services etc.  In recognition of Bernie's contribution this will be a named scholarship - The Bernie Knowles Scholarship/Grant for training in the field of ageing related services.

3. Research on Ageing

The Trustees have identified the following areas [Click to link to Priorities Paper] as critical to the development of social policy on ageing.  To achieve these ends they have expressed the desire to fund:

• An annual named scholarship - for a doctoral student to specialise in research on ageing as identified by the Trustees.

4. Level of Grant and Annual Disbursements

The Trustees have determined that grants should "make a difference" so that a significant sum will be awarded to take a project forward.

Depending on available funds consideration may also be given to calling for projects in one of the above categories each year on rotation.

5. How to Apply

Applications will be called for in November each year for one or all categories.  Submissions should be supported with a proposed budget, justification and support from appropriate individuals or agencies as to the worth of the request or the practicability and impact of a research project.  The forms required for application can be obtained from the following link [Click here] or from:

The Secretary
Rotary Club of Wellington
PO Box 13 425
Wellington 6440