Countdown Begins for Trustpower National Community Awards

Countdown Begins for Trustpower National Community Awards

Invercargill and Southland volunteers prepare to represent region at National Awards

Invercargill Southland representatives will join volunteers from around the country in Wellington this weekend (March 27-29) for the Trustpower National Community Awards.

The 2014 Trustpower National Community Awards, run over three days, recognises last year’s top volunteer groups and organisations from 27 districts across New Zealand. Kidzone will represent your district on this national stage.

Joining them at the Wellington event will be representatives from 24 other voluntary groups or organisations from around the country, each of whom were also Supreme Winners at their own regional Trustpower Community Awards.

Trustpower Community Relations rep Emily Beaton says Kidzone emerged as a clear winner in the 2014 regional awards because of its family inclusiveness, and of course, the sheer scale of the event.

“To have over 150 activities at one event is just unimaginable – and the fact the Kidzone volunteer team do imagine something so big is what I admire. That commitment to keeping such an amazing event affordable for all kinds of families is wonderful to see.”

Kidzone has been an iconic event in Invercargill for ten years. The six day event is targeted to families of all shapes and sizes and from all backgrounds. Last year, the festival saw ticket sales break 11,300 for the first time ever. One visitor commented that the event’s “volunteers were amazing, [it is] heart warming to see these young teenagers interacting in such a positive manner with young children, and the adults with them”.

While in Wellington this weekend, each group will present for eight minutes on their achievements, also outlining why they deserve to win the top prize of $2,500. Presentations take place on Saturday (March 28) at the Memorial Lecture Theatre at Victoria University, followed by an awards dinner at Te Papa Museum.

Along with representatives from the Kidzone organising committee, Invercargill City Deputy Mayor Darren Ludlow and Southland District Mayor Gary Tong will also be in attendance.

Local groups should be looking to ramp up their efforts ahead of the 2015 Trustpower Invercargill City and Southland District Community Awards. Anyone can enter a group, and all voluntary groups and non-profit organisations are eligible. Entries open May 25 – simply visit www.communityconnect.co.nz/enteronline to enter a group.

ENDS

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