Final Days to Enter Whakatāne District’s Community Heroes in Local Awards

Locals have just a few more days to ensure their favourite voluntary groups are part of the Whakatāne District’s biggest celebration of volunteers. Entries for the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards close at5pm, Friday 13 June and there is more than $5000 up for grabs.

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

This is the third year that the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards have been run. Last year, 48 entries for the Trustpower Community Awards were received.

Trustpower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff believes there are plenty of voluntary groups providing services, activities, support and events in the community and often they are not recognised for the invaluable work they do.

“Volunteers dedicate thousands of hours to the community. We must remember that volunteers fundraise, they build and preserve things and they host events. They coordinate health support groups and they teach new skills and sports and then there are others who will even save your life and property if they need to.

These Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and honour some of the Whakatāne District’s hardworking and generous volunteers and it means we get the chance to share with the community all the wonderful things that this district’s volunteers are doing for the benefit of many.

Now it’s your chance to say ‘thanks’ to these volunteers who work hard for your community by entering them in the Trustpower Community Awards. There’s one week left to enter groups, it only takes a few minutes to enter a voluntary group and it will make a real difference to the volunteers you are recognising,” says Suzi.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation for the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves. But act now because entries close on Friday 13 June.

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 Supreme Winner receives $1,500 and the opportunity to attend, at no cost, the National Community Awards. Last year’s Supreme Winner was Onepu Community Recreation Park.

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 Suzi Luff on 0800 87 11 11 and she will take your entry over the phone.

The regional Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards will be presented at a function on Monday 4 August.

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