Searching For Waipa's Local Heroes

The search is on to unearth Waipa’s hardworking voluntary groups with entries now open for the TrustPower Waipa District Community Awards.

Entries for the TrustPower Waipa District Community Awards open today Monday 21 January. The Awards, which are run in partnership with the Waipa District Council, are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make Waipa a better place to live.

Since the TrustPower Waipa District Community Awards began in 2000 more than $63,000 has been given away to deserving voluntary groups and organisations. This year more than $5,000 is up for grabs.

Anyone can enter a voluntary group or organisation for the TrustPower Waipa District Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

Last year 51 groups were entered for the TrustPower Waipa District Community Awards. TrustPower Community Relations Representative Teresa Partridge believes Waipa has many amazing voluntary groups and is looking forward to seeing what groups will surface this year

“Waipa is a community-minded district that has an impressive volunteering culture. I’m looking forward to learning about what these volunteers have been achieving, and I hope to see the community come on board to recognise these unsung heroes.

There are many activities, events, projects, programmes, sports, and services that are provided thanks to the region’s hard working volunteers. And now the community has the chance to say ‘thank you’ to these volunteers who work hard to improve the 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 make a difference to the volunteers you are recognising,” says Mrs Partridge.

Entry forms for the TrustPower Community Awards are available from Council offices or service centres or can be completed online at www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards. Entries can also be received over the phone by calling Teresa Partridge on 0800 87 11 11.

The awards cover five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and 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 2013 TrustPower National Community Awards. Last year’s TrustPower Waipa District Community Awards Supreme Winner was Cambridge BMX Club.

Entries for the TrustPower Waipa District Community Awards close at 5pm on Friday 22 March 2013.

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