Dear Family and Friends of the Korean Garden Trust,

The weather has definitely warmed up these days.  It seems spring is finally here! I wish the warmth of the spring weather brings warmth to your everyday life.

1. Receipt of letters of support from Korean societies of cities of New Zealand

• · We requested letters of support from the Korean societies of New Zealand, to use as attachments when requesting funds from the relevant organizations and authorities in Korea.  By the end of September 2010, most Korean societies in New Zealand sent us their letters of support.
• · Korean societies in eight different cities sent us letters of support.  They confirmed their support of the Korean Garden Project and its function and purpose as the cultural ambassador to the local New Zealand community, and they reaffirmed that they request the relevant Korean authorities to grant funds for the Korean Garden Project.
• · We would like to thank all of the Korean societies and their respective Presidents for writing the letters of support.
• · The Korean Garden Trust believes it is important for the Korean community in Auckland to cooperate and unite to better the image of Koreans in New Zealand.
• · We have dispatched the eight letters of support to the relevant authorities in Korea on 24 September 2010.  At an appropriate time, the Korean Garden Trust (“the Trust”) will present a press-release of these letters of support to show gratitude for their support.

2. A letter of support from the Mayor of the North Shore City, Andrew Williams

• · His Worship the Mayor Mr Andrew Williams, who has been one of the active supporters of the Korean Garden Project has provided us with his letter of support (see attached).  This letter will be on-sent to the City Council of Busan, Korea, the Overseas Korean Foundation of Korea, various Korean government authorities and the National Unification Advisory Council of Korea to support the Trust’s request for funds.
• · In his letter of support going to the City of Busan, Korea, His Worship the Mayor Mr Andrew Williams showed his support on naming one of the roads surrounding the Korean Garden Busan Road or Busan Way, to support North Shore City’s friendship with Busan City.  In the same letter, he described the Korean Garden to be the symbol of unity between the Korean residents and the local community, and that the Garden would be a good place to learn about and experience the Korean culture.

3. Design competition for the Korean Veterans monument

• · The Korean Garden Trust is planning to hold a design competition for the making of the Korea Veterans monument.
• · The details of this competition will be decided by the KV Monument Task Force Team (team leader Sung Hyuk Kim) and released in the mean time.  We invite your support and attention toward this design competition for the Korea Veterans monument.

4. Voluntary work for September (refer to attached photos)

• · On Saturday 18 September 2010, about twenty supporters of the Korean Garden gathered together in Rosedale Park, Albany.  We collected a lot of rubbish from Rosedale Park.  We plan to clean Rosedale Park for the next few months. Please come along and show us support!

5. The Awanui flower (see attachment)

• · The Technical Support Team of the Korean Garden is considering the Awanui flower as the main flora of the Korean Garden.  It is a  New Zealand born flower and blooms in September for about 2 weeks.  It grows to about 5 or 6 metres tall, and the plant has a width of about 10 metres. It blooms in early spring, and grows leaves to create good shades for the summer.  According to an expert, the root does not grow very deep into the soil so can be suitable for a landfill.
• · There are about five or six flower nurseries for the Awanui flower in New Zealand, so it can be acquired easily.  A three year old plant is about $45.  If you have any comments or feedback on Awanui please do contact us.  We will make the final decision upon discussions with the North Shore City.

Thank you for your support.

Ben Lee

Chairman, Korean Garden Trust