Last Chance to Thank Dunedin Voluntary Groups

Locals have just a few more days to ensure their favourite voluntary groups are part of Dunedin’s biggest celebration of voluntary groups. Entries for the TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards close at 5pm on Friday 8 March and there is more than $5000 up for grabs.

The TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards, run in partnership with the Dunedin City Council, recognise and reward voluntary groups and organisations for the outstanding contribution they make to their community.

The TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards is now in its twelfth year. TrustPower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville believes there are still many groups providing services, activities, support and events in the community and often they are not recognised for the invaluable work they do.

“The value of volunteering is immense and irreplaceable. One of the best ways to demonstrate the importance of volunteering to the Dunedin community is to ensure these volunteers' contributions are recognised, valued and accounted for. Entering a group for the Community awards will take just two minutes of your time but it will ensure they get the recognition they deserve,” says Miss Somerville.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation for the TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves. But act now because entries close on Friday 8 March.

The Awards cover five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Educational and Child/Youth Development. The category winners receive $500 and runners up take home $250. The Overall Winner receives $1,500 and the opportunity to attend, at no cost, the National Community Awards. Last year’s Supreme Winner was the Otago Excursion Train Trust.

Entry Forms for the TrustPower Community Awards are available from the Council offices or service centre, they can be completed online at www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards, or you can call Community Relations on 0800 87 11 11.

The regional TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards will be presented at a function at Toitu on Monday 6 May.

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