ABOUT US
Brooklands Country Estate is a 15 bedroom rural retreat set in eight hectares of native and pine forest.
More than 100 years old, it is one of the original homesteads in the area. Brooklands is set amongst fertile Waikato farmlands, Brooklands Country Estate stands in complete harmony with its rural setting.
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BROOKLANDS COUNTRY ESTATE
Over the years, the property has undergone a few alterations, but Brooklands remains a home in complete harmony with its rural setting. A large graceful garden wraps around the house and incorporates a croquet lawn, swimming pool and tennis court.
In 1989 the home was transformed into Brooklands Country Estate, a luxury rural retreat set in eight hectares of native and pine forest. For more than 25 years Brooklands functioned as luxury accommodation restored with meticulous care, and enhanced by modern services.
In 2013, Education Sponsorship Trust acquired Brooklands Country Estate and adapted it as a retreat and conference venue. Its beautiful physical setting is conducive to reflection and provides an opportunity to step back, gain perspective, and set goals.
BROOKLANDS HISTORY
When the land in the Waingaro area was made available for purchase in the 1880s, one of the first to claim an 800-hectare plot around Waingaro was Frank Bull. He named his property Brooklands and developed it into a hill farm. Later on, it was taken over by Frank’s son John, and then his grandson Peter, until Peter’s early death Brooklands remained the property of the Bull family.
During the first decade of the twentieth century local craftsmen hand-built the homestead using native timbers and materials. Following the architectural style of the time, Brooklands has the layout of a bungalow while retaining the wide return-verandah of a country villa.
EDUCATION SPONSORSHIP TRUST
OUR MISSION
Education Sponsorship Trust (EST) was founded in 1989. The Trust's aim is to establish an association that would sponsor and promote educational projects to meet the needs of New Zealand society with a special focus on youth.
OUR GOALS
EST promotes excellence in all areas of human endeavour. EST's activities are geared toward the integral development of the individual. This vision identifies the acquisition of virtues as the foundation for the development of character.
OUR VALUES
Activities organised by EST seek to develop: honesty, team work, ethical work habits, leadership, and a desire to be of service to society, especially to those most in need.
EDUCATION
SPONSORSHIP TRUST PROJECTS
EST supports a wide range of programmes aimed at providing character and spiritual formation for women and men of all ages. These activities have a special focus on building social awareness in young people throughout New Zealand.
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For information visit: www.est.org.nz
Activities at Brooklands of a spiritual nature are entrusted to Opus Dei, a personal Prelature of the Catholic Church, which helps people find God in everyday life.
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