Media Release, Tuesday 20 March 2012

National Awards Come to the Ashburton District This Weekend
Public invited to meet NZ’s top voluntary groups

The public are being offered the chance to meet New Zealand’s top voluntary groups at this weekend’s TrustPower National Community Awards.

In a matter of days around 150 people from around the country will converge on the Ashburton District for the prestigious National event.

The TrustPower National Community Awards is the country’s biggest celebration of voluntary groups and organisations and is the highlight of TrustPower’s Community Awards calendar. The 2011 TrustPower National Community Awards will run from 23 - 25 March 2012.

Attending the National Awards will be representatives from the 25 voluntary groups judged Supreme Winner at the regional TrustPower Community Awards, along with the Mayor or a Council representative from each region.

At the Nationals Awards each group will give an up to eight minute presentation on their activities or project at a presentation and judging day, held on Saturday 24 March at Methven Heritage Centre, Main Street, Methven.

TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff is welcoming the public to come and see these presentations first hand.

“Each of the voluntary groups and organisations attending the TrustPower National Community Awards have overcome the odds and made some amazing achievements – from providing homes to abused children to restoring public land to putting on momentous community events. These volunteers have incredible stories to tell and we are delighted to be able to invite the public to hear and experience what these remarkable volunteers have achieved in their communities,” says Miss Luff.

The TrustPower National Community Awards presentation and judging day is being held at Methven Heritage Centre, Main Street, Methven from 8.30 am – 4 pm. Below is a list of the organisations attending the TrustPower National Community Awards and the time they will be giving their presentation. More information can also be found at www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards

Joining the regional teams at the TrustPower National Community Awards is a number of invited guests including NZ Today Editor Allan Dick, Radio NZ host Jim Mora, Gillian Peacock from Volunteering New Zealand and Malcolm Cameron, 2012 Senior New Zealander of the Year, all of whom are on the Independent Judging Panel for the National Awards.

Representing the Ashburton District at this year’s TrustPower National Community Awards is Trev’s BBQ.

TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says as well as recognising and promoting the work of volunteers, the TrustPower National Community Awards offer an opportunity to showcase the host district.

Participants at the TrustPower National Community Awards will be going on tours through Salmon Tales at Rakaia and the Ag and Alpine Encounter at the Methven Heritage Centre as part of the event.

The TrustPower National Community Awards Supreme Winner and Runner Up will be announced at an Awards Dinner on Saturday 24 March held at Terrace Downs. The Supreme Winner will receive a trophy, designed and sculpted by local artist Mike Armstrong, $2,500 prize money, a $500 voucher from Exult, a leading and specialist training provider for the community sector and a framed certificate. The Runner Up receives $1,500, a $200 voucher from Exult and a framed certificate.

Media are welcome to attend the presentation and judging day on Saturday 24 March.

Media are also welcome to attend the announcement and presentation of the TrustPower National Community Awards that evening at Terrace Downs. The Supreme Winner and Runner Up will be announced at approximately 9 pm.

WELCOME: 8.30 am

Session One, 8.40 am – 10 am
• The Greymouth Heritage Trust, Grey District
• Woodville Lions Club, Tararua District
• Gabriel’s Gully 150th Committee, Clutha District
• The Denniston Heritage Trust, Buller District
• Palmerston North Junior Neighbourhood Support, Palmerston North City
• Alexandra Lions Club, Central Otago District

Session Two, 10.3 0 am – 11.50 am
• Nelson Youth Theatre, Nelson City/Tasman District
• Hokitika Lions Club, Westland District
• Kaipupu Point Mainland Island Society, Marlborough District
• Neighbourhood Support Rotorua, Rotorua District
• Caroline Bay Association, Timaru District
• Homes of Hope, Tauranga City

Session Three, 12.40 pm – 2.10 pm
• Cambridge Tree Trust, Waipa District
• Turner Centre, Far North District
• Bike Taupō Advocacy, Taupō District
• Maketu Ongatoro Wetlands Society, Western Bay of Plenty District
• Violence Free Waitakere Incorporated, Waitakere
• Palmerston Lions Club, Waihemo/Waitaki District
• Trev’s BBQ, Ashburton District

Session Four, 2.40 pm – 4.00 pm
• Lake Waikaremoana Hapu Restoration Trust, Wairoa District
• Mana Recovery Incorporated, Wellington Region
• Southland Motorcycle Club, Invercargill City/Southland District
• Arrowtown Trust, Queenstown Lakes District
• Friends of the Globe Theatre, Dunedin City
• Literacy North Otago, Oamaru/Waitaki District

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