Farmer’s bequest benefits Marlborough children

The first thing Jack Checkley’s long-time best friend, colleague and bowls partner Bill Shadbolt said was “you couldn’t have asked for a better guy.”

Since 2013, the “quiet and modest” South Marlborough farmer’s ongoing bequest has benefited many, through his Charitable Trust’s yearly grants to schools.

The Trust has given more than $550,000 to schools across Marlborough, making sure Jack’s last wishes have made a positive and lasting difference.

“For someone who was a pretty hard case and who lived a hard life, Jack was a top man – he was great to work for or work alongside, a great sheep farmer and sportsman, and was always the first to put his hand up to help others,” Bill says.

Farming at Tinline Downs in the Awatere, Jack then moved to just south of Ward. It was there the pair met and worked together for more than 30 years.

The friends then became neighbours when Jack moved onto a five acre-block next to Bill. He eventually moved into retirement care in Blenheim and passed in February 2009 at the age of 79 years.

The grants of up to $10,000 per school available each year have made been of benefit to hundreds of children over the years.

From classroom improvements, playground revamps and equipment closets to technology upgrades, uniforms and transport, the changes have made change for the better possible.

Charitable Trust Trustee Peter Radich says Jack’s ongoing impact is widespread.

He credits Ross Inder, Jack’s original lawyer, with putting the idea of a charitable trust to him. Peter along with John Leslie, Jack’s accountant, put the Trust into place after Ross retired.

“Jack was a quiet, modest farmer that hopefully many Marlburians still remember - his Trust comes from the hard work he put into his farm and its eventual sale and the impact his Trust makes is very worthwhile but largely unknown,” Peter explains

“Since Jack passed in 2009, I have been responsible for Trustee decisions. The Trust’s income is applied to school projects where preferably the whole school can benefit.”

When approached by the Marlborough Weekly, schools across the region have unequivocally been overwhelmingly thankful for the Trust’s support.

“Blenheim School has been incredibly fortunate to receive generous funding from the Jack Checkley Trust for various projects,” says Blenheim School’s Executive Assistant Angie Holdaway.

“They have had a profound impact on our school community, enhancing both our facilities and the experiences of our students.”

“Last year, the Trust provided us with funding to replace our old and bent basketball hoops that were frequently vandalised during nights and weekends. This was a significant challenge for us.

Funding this year has been allocated to repair, repaint and for maintenance of the school pool.

“Basketball is the most popular sport at Blenheim School, with numerous teams competing throughout the season. Our basketball court is always alive with the energy of students practicing and playing.

“The addition of the new hoops and pool refurbishment has been a tremendous success, benefiting not only our students but also the wider community who enjoy using the facilities,” Angie smiles.

At Picton School, children are working on ten brand new iPads, all thanks to a donation from the Trust.

This is vital to support learning, access to information, and the development of 21st century skills,” says Picton principal Katie Talbot.

“They mean we can teach digital literacy, cyber safety, and provide engaging, hands-on learning tasks for our Tamariki - without this funding, the iPads would not have been an option, so we are very grateful.”

Peter and Bill both agreed that given Jack’s rural background it is fitting rural education should be well supported.

Both Ward School and Waitaria Bay are grateful for the help they have been given though Jack’s kind-hearted bequest.

Ward School’s Candi Callaghan says Jack is well remembered throughout the Flaxbourne community and they are grateful for his ongoing support through the Trust.

“This has allowed our small rural school to provide a selection of devices and software to the students, who can access now a variety of resources.”

At Waitaria Bay there is also a sense of thankfulness for all the grants have allowed them to achieve.

Principal Tineke Giddy says the grants have provided valuable experiences and a broader education that would otherwise not have been possible.

“We continue to be extremely grateful for the support we have received over the years.

“Grants have been used to provide professional music tuition for students, support a visit to the Kaipupu Sanctuary aboard Steadfast, a school trip to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and this year’s grant is contributing to our school camp accommodation costs at Mistletoe Bay in April 2025 and the purchase of new nonfiction titles for our school library.”

Jack’s best mate Bill says that, while he is still awaiting Jack’s promised funds to keep up the Awatere bowling green, he’s glad Jack is keeping on doing what he always did – putting his hand up to help where needed.

“He’s been gone a while, and I still look over the back fence at home expecting to see him at Ward.

“I know he’d love the work his Trust has done supporting local schools and the students at them,” Bill says.

“I believe the Trust’s past and ongoing help really honours the kind man he was.”