Edna Brown was born to Margaret Clarke and Charles Clarke on July 26, 1913, in Rotorua. She was the youngest of ten children—five boys and five girls.

Along with many of her siblings, Edna worked in the family business, Clarke's Soda Factory. This unique establishment, which began bottling in 1883, eventually grew to employ 30 people by 1967 and was possibly the only cordial factory in the world to operate on geothermal steam. Four generations of the Clarke family contributed to the successful manufacture of aerated waters and cordials, embedding the family name in local history.

Clarke Family. Edna Brown is second in from the right.

Beyond her work life, Edna had a passion for ballroom dancing, at which she excelled. She eventually married George Brown, and the couple settled in Wellington, where Edna worked in the hotel industry. She rose to manage the Tin Hut Hotel near Wellington, demonstrating her natural leadership abilities. While the Brown's had no children, Edna showered her love on animals—especially cats. Later, when they began farming near Te Puke, she affectionately named all the farm animals, revealing her warm and nurturing spirit.

After George's passing, Edna lived in Omokoroa, then Matapihi, before finally settling in Tauranga. Throughout her life, she was known as a determined woman with a generous heart, always showing kindness to those in need.

When Edna Brown passed away in 2001, she left specific bequests to family, friends, and charities. Her will directed her trustees to distribute the remaining balance among organisations associated with medical research or treatment.

In 2003, her trustees entrusted $67,304 from Edna's estate to the newly established Acorn Foundation in her name. This leap of faith made Edna Brown the first Acorn Foundation donor and created the first personal endowment fund in the New Zealand Community Foundation's network.

At that time, community foundations were virtually unknown in New Zealand, and the model was unproven in the country. However, Edna's executors' decision proved remarkably prescient.

Fast forward to today, and the impact of Edna's gift is nothing short of remarkable. Her endowment fund has distributed more than $79,000 in grants—nearly matching the original donation—while the capital has not only remained intact but grown by nearly 50%.

Each year, calculated distributions (typically 4% annually) from Edna's fund support causes that align with her wishes. Her fund specifically benefits medical research and treatment organisations in the Western Bay of Plenty and has already supported 14 different charities.

The beauty of the community foundation model is its perpetual nature. Edna's gift continues to grow and give back, with projections showing that after 30 years, her original contribution will have grown by more than 200%, reaching an estimated cumulative total of $231,000. After 50 years, that figure approaches $400,000. The impact of Edna's generosity over "forever" is almost beyond imagination.

Each year, as new grants are made in her name, Edna's legacy continues to grow and touch more lives.

Thank you for leading the way, Edna Brown. Arohanui.