LFT 30th Anniversary Chairperson Speech

Our Patron, Mrs Noeline McIlroy, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Laura Fergusson Trust.

It’s only appropriate on this special occasion that we take a brief look back over the last 30 years of the Trust’s history.

The original Laura Fergusson Trust Board was set up under the patronage of Laura Fergusson (known as Lady Ballantrae – wife of Sir Bernard Fergusson, Governor General of New Zealand, who was elevated to a life peerage in 1972 as Baron Ballantrae). The first Laura Fergusson Home was set up in Auckland followed by a home in Wellington.

A preliminary meeting of a group of interested persons, encouraged by the Christchurch Co-ordinating Council for the Handicapped and the Christchurch Rotary Club was held on 20th November 1973, to discuss the establishment of a branch of the National Laura Fergusson Trust, in Christchurch.

The first meeting of the Christchurch Trustees followed on 15 January 1974.

By 28 March, when the first Annual General Meeting was held, $15,610 had been raised and negotiations had begun for a suitable area of land. By the end of the year a sound organisation had been established and a large number of enthusiastic people were ready to launch into a major find-raising campaign in 1975.

By 1979, the building of a Home for 24 residents had been completed on this 2 ½ acre block at Ilam Road and the Trust and complex was officially opened by Lady Ballantrae, on 3rd March 1979.

The land was made available by the North Canterbury Hospital Board at a peppercorn rent of 10c per year; wouldn’t it be nice to pay this sort of rental today?

Donations and grants from individuals and organisations raised by an Appeal, organised by the Trustees, Management Committee and Women’s Auxiliary, plus a Government subsidy of $287,000 helped to raise the $500,000 required to build and furnish the Home.

In 1984, a recreation room was added to the existing building, funded mostly by a Telethon which contributed $22,000. In 1988 a cottage was built for the Matron, and her former flat was converted into four rooms for additional residents, bringing the total number of residents to 28.

In 1991, a personal care service was introduced to allow residents requiring extra help, to be able to remain in the Home. In the same year, the Management Committee was replaced by a residents’ support group. These people gave their services voluntarily to extend the activities of the residents in the various fields of arts and crafts, dressmaking, grooming, exercise, budgeting etc.

Because of the waiting list and many requests for accommodation, six more rooms and 3 more bathrooms were built. When this new wing was ready for occupation in July 1992, the Trust Home was catering for 35 residents.

The cost of running the Home was entirely the responsibility of the Trust Board, no subsidy was paid by the Government for this purpose. The balance of the operating expenses was met by grants and donations from various organisations and individuals, but the greatest source of funds came from the Women’s’ Auxiliary.
The Women’s Auxiliary had been established in 1974 from the initiative of Mrs Alexia Pickering, wife of the then Mayor, who was herself confined to a wheelchair. It was largely due to the sterling efforts of its members that the building was opened debt free in 1979 and their endless and inspiring programme of fund-raising continued until 1997.

In April 1996, the Trust received a grant of $200,000, representing a share of the proceeds from the sale of a property bequeathed to the National Laura Fergusson Trust, placing the Trust in a very sound financial position.

After the disbanding of the Women’s’ Auxiliary in 1997, the balance of funds held was handed over to the Trust Board which used them to establish a fund for the benefit of the residents.

The Noeline McIlroy, QSO, Laura Fergusson Residents Trust was formally registered as a charity in 2004, with special consideration given to cultural, musical and art activities of the residents. This Trust still exists today and any donations made are kept quite separate from the operating fund of the main Trust. Recent changes to tax law now mean that a 33c tax rebate is available for every $1 donated up to a maximum of the taxable income of the person making the donation. We would encourage anyone with any surplus funds to consider making a donation to this Trust. Donation forms are available from the office.

When the lease on the Ilam Road property came up for renewal in 1997, the Ngai Tahu Trust, declined their first right of purchase of this Crown Land, the Laura Fergusson Trust officially purchased the property for $300,000. What an inspired decision this was, being able to purchase 2 ½ acres in this area for this price 12 years ago. These days you are paying this price for an 800 – 1200 square metre section.

In 1998, a respite care room was introduced and occupied continuously.

In 1999, the cottage, formerly the Matron’s residence, was made available for residents preparing to return to the community.


The 21st Birthday of the Laura Fergusson Trust in Christchurch was celebrated in 2000, with a commemorative tree being planting by the Patron, Mrs Noeline McIlroy. A time capsule containing work by the residents was buried at the base of the tree. An embroidered wall hanging, visually capturing the history of the Home, was dedicated. This was planned and executed by the residents, with assistance from Mrs McIlroy and members of the Canterbury Embroiderers’ Guild,.

Over recent years the Home has developed and expanded its services in line with ACC and Ministry of Health contract requirements, achieving certification under the new regulations in 2004.

In 2004, six transitional studio units were built, providing residents with an opportunity to increase their level of independence. A carer support unit was established in 2005 followed the next year by a new training kitchen, officially opened by Mr George Fergusson, the British High Commissioner and son of Lady Ballantrae.

Other building developments have seen increased office space, to cater for the increased staff numbers and upgrading of the dining room and kitchen. Residents are also able to use the superb facilities in the Christchurch City Council, Jellie Park Pool complex next door to the Home.


While the Laura Fergusson Trust provides a long term home for some residents, the current emphasis is on actively seeking to achieve maximum independence and improve quality of life through rehabilitation with a view to enabling residents to return to the community where possible. The Home now caters for 35 permanent residents with 3 carer support beds.

The evolution of the Trust over the last 30 years would not have been possible without the help and dedication of all the volunteers. Their contribution is greatly valued.

In addition to the volunteers, we have a superb team of staff, ably lead by our CEO, Mrs Sonia Pratt, who was appointed to this role in May 2002.

The Trust has grown considerably over the last 7 years under Sonia’s leadership and has faced many challenges during this time, all of which have  been handled in a professional manner by Sonia and her team.

I would also like to acknowledge my former and current Trustees who have all given their time so willingly in guiding the Trust to the position of respect it has in the community today.

In conclusion, this is a fantastic facility that provides such a valuable and highly respected service for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities in our community.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support of the Laura Fergusson Trust, we can assure you that everything will be done to ensure that the next 30 years are as rewarding and fulfilling as the last 30 have been.

May I wish you all the very best for the future.
Thank you.

Paul Duggan