Media Release, for immediate release, Wednesday 18 February, 2015

Entries Open for Ashburton District Community Awards

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

Entries for the Trustpower Ashburton District Community Awards opened Monday 16 February. The Awards, which are run in partnership with the Ashburton District Council, are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make Ashburton a better place to live.

Since the Trustpower Ashburton District Community Awards began in 2001 more than $70,000 has been given away to deserving voluntary groups and organisations. This year more than $5000 is up for grabs.

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

Trustpower Community Relations Representative Emily Beaton believes there are still many more voluntary groups out there who deserve recognition.

“Ashburton is a resourceful part of the country with a great sense of community. Through the Trustpower Ashburton District Community Awards every year, more groups surface that are doing amazing things for the benefit of the entire community.

Many activities, events, projects, programmes, sports, and services are provided thanks to the region’s hard working volunteers. But often they are not recognised for the invaluable work they do.

Now you have 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 real difference to the volunteers you are recognising,” says Miss Beaton.

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 Emily Beaton 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 Ashburton District Community Awards Supreme Winner was the Mania-O-Roto Scout Zone.

Entries for the Trustpower Ashburton District Community Awards close at 5pm on Friday 17 April.

© Scoop Media