The following media release was issued by Trustpower.
Whakatāne District residents have the opportunity to recognise the dedication of their local voluntary groups, with entries for the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards now open. Run in partnership with the Whakatāne District Council, the Awards are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make the district a better place to live.
Anyone can enter a voluntary group or organisation for the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.
Since the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards began in 2012, more than $15,000 has been given away to deserving voluntary groups and organisations, and this year more than $5000 is up for grabs.
Last year 68 groups were entered in to the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards. Trustpower Community Relations Representative Kathlene Cook believes that there are still a lot of voluntary groups out there who deserve recognition for the immense community work they do.
“Whakatāne District is filled with so many talented, resourceful, creative, innovative and hardworking voluntary groups who support this community in a multitude of ways. Many activities, events, projects, programmes, sports, and services are available thanks to this region’s hard working volunteers. But often they are not recognised for the invaluable work they do.
"Through the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards, our aim is that even more groups surface that are doing amazing things for the benefit of the entire community. It is their time to be recognised.
"Now’s your chance to say ‘thank you’ to these volunteers who work hard to improve your community – just by filling out an entry form. It takes just a few minutes of your time to enter a voluntary group, but it will be an enormous boost for the group you are recognising,” says Kathlene.
Entry Forms for the Trustpower Community Awards are available from the Council offices or service centres or can be completed online at www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards. Entry Forms can also be received by calling Kathlene Cook on 0800 87 11 11.
The awards cover five categories:
- Heritage and Environment
- Health and Wellbeing
- Arts and Culture
- Sport and Leisure
- Educational and Child/Youth Development
Category winners receive $500, runners-up receive $250 and the Supreme Winner will take home $1,500 and an all-expenses paid trip to the 2015 Trustpower National Community Awards being held in Dunedin in March 2016. Last year’s Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards Supreme Winner was the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust.
Entries for the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards close at 5 pm on Friday, 12 June 2015.