Entries Open for Grey & Westland District Community Awards

The search is on to once again unearth the hardworking voluntary groups on New Zealand’s wild West Coast with entries opening today for the Trustpower Grey and Westland District Community Awards.

Entries for the Trustpower Ashburton District Community Awards opened Monday 16 February. Run in partnership with the Grey and Westland District Councils, the awards are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make the West Coast a better place to live.

Anyone can enter a voluntary group or organisation for the Trustpower Ashburton District Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves and, with more than $5,000 up for grabs, it’s a great opportunity for everyone.

Trustpower Community Relations Representative Arielle Monk believes, although the awards are almost an institution in the region, there are still volunteers that need to be recognised and nurtured.

“Along the West Coast, the Grey district is a resourceful part of the country, with a great sense of community. In the face of economic difficulties, along with Westland, the people of the coast just keep keeping on.

“With the Trustpower Community Awards, we want to show who the real heroes of these communities are.”

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, and are often under pressure to provide for these projects free of charge, and “on the smell of an oily rag”, Miss Monk said.

“Why not say ‘thank you’ to these volunteers in your community? Entering a group takes just a few minutes of your time, but it could make all the difference to the volunteers you are recognising.”

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. 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 2015 TrustPower National Community Awards in Dunedin next year. Last year, the Kumara Resident’s Trust took out the Westland District, while the West Coast Volunteer Fire Brigades shot to the top in Grey.

Entries for the Trustpower Grey & Westland District Community Awards close at 5pm on Friday, June 19.

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