When a generous man named Robert France died over 135 years ago, he left explicit instructions as to how his estate should be managed. His property on Napier Hill was to be gifted to his sister. And because he passed away unmarried with no dependents, the remainder of his wealth was to put in trust for the benefit of local young people.
Much has changed in the intervening years – including the trustees who have been tasked with the management of Robert France’s estate and earlier this year, the decision was taken to transfer the assets of the Robert France Trust to Hawke’s Bay Foundation.
Pat Gallagher, who has served as a trustee for some 45 years, says he is delighted at the move, which ensures the ongoing sustainability of what will be known as the Robert France Fund.
“With two of the trustees now in their 80s, this move provides the administrative support and continuity the trust requires,” Pat explains. “Hawke’s Bay Foundation is well set up to administer the fund.”
He finds it interesting that the initial trust deed, written before France’s death in 1887, specified that the income would go to “destitute orphaned children” across the Napier and Petane areas. “Robert France clearly had strong religious leanings but he did stipulate that children who benefited from the trust could be of any denomination.”
Pat thinks he’d be pleased to see how many children and teenagers have been positively impacted by his generosity. In the early days of the trust, income mainly went towards the ongoing costs of children’s homes. “But in 1980, trustees made an application to the High Court to widen the scope and geographical area in order to make it more relevant and meaningful,” says fellow trustee, Michael Waite.
While not being able to put a firm figure on the numbers who have received income, the retiring trustees say it’s “in the hundreds” and that the assistance has taken many forms, from helping with boarding school fees to funding educational travel to broaden the minds of our rangatahi. “We’ve given many young people a more affordable pathway to get through either secondary or tertiary education, or we’ve eased their way in difficult financial circumstances,” says Pat.
Sometimes, the trust has covered music lesson fees, or funded participation in sports events. A particularly impactful story is one of a local tama who received funding to spend a year in Finland, which not only altered the course of his life by exposing him to different cultures, but inspired him to later support another student’s similar journey again with help from the trust.
The trust has also supported medical needs and not-for-profit organisations such as Riding for the Disabled.
But it’s perhaps best known for helping to fund local high school students entering the next phase of their lives. Through a rotation system, three different Hawke’s Bay secondary students receive a grant each year that helps shepherd them into further education. Starting with those leaving school in 2022, students from nine colleges have each received $2,500 per year for three years of tertiary study or training with school leavers from Hastings Girls’ High School, William Colenso College and Woodford House the most recent recipients. Students from all Hawke’s Bay colleges will eventually have had this opportunity.
Through careful investment and retained income, Robert France’s legacy now sits at $1.3m. “His original vision was a desire for young people to have access to education and for financial barriers to be removed, and that’s still the focus of the work today,” says Michael.
“By partnering with Hawke’s Bay Foundation and transferring the assets, we reduce overheads and more money can go to directly helping our young residents,” adds Pat.
And as the cost of education continues to rise, both Pat and Michael are confident that Robert France’s substantial gift will be well used into the future. “I find it quite astonishing” concludes Pat, “that in the hundred-plus years since Robert France died, his generosity is still benefiting young people in Hawke’s Bay. I think that is, in itself, a remarkable thing.”
