Hudson donates $5000

By Jim Mynard
FORMER Berwick businessman Bill Hudson has donated $5000 to the National Trust Casey Cardinia Branch (NTCCB).
Mr Hudson made the donation during a ceremony at the Trust’s room in the Pioneers Park building at Peel Street, Berwick.
He said the money was proceeds from the Tattersall Award for Enterprise and Achievement that he received in 2004.
NTCCB president Ruth Crofts said the $5000 was part of the $20,000 award given.
Mrs Crofts said the $5000 part of the award was usually meant for the winner to retain.
“It was in 2004 that Bill received the award and immediately said he would hand it on to the Trust to help establish a heritage information centre in the old Berwick Primary School building.
“We are extremely grateful to Mr Hudson, who at age 90, in undoubtedly the most inspirational member of our community.
“We will in accordance with his wishes buy furnishings and some computer equipment with the money.
“These are needed for the centre to run efficiently. The computer will enable us to make a wide range of heritage information available to the public.
“We will also link to other groups involved in the heritage network such as the National Trust headquarters, historical societies, libraries and family history groups.
“National Trust volunteers will run the heritage centre and a small Trust shop will sell books and gifts to help cover running costs.
“In accepting this generous donation from Bill, I wish to also acknowledge Helen Hudson who died last year.
“Helen was a longstanding member for more than 30 years, and she would have received an award this year, the Victorian National Trust’s 50th anniversary.
“We are extremely grateful to Bill and we can assure him that we will do our best to make this venture a great success.”
Mrs Crofts said Mr Hudson was the National Trust Casey Cardinia Branch’s first foundation donor.