7 August 2012

Blow the Trumpet of a Voluntary Group Near You

Local community groups have less than two weeks left to ensure they are part of the biggest celebration of voluntary groups in the Invercargill Southland region.

Entries for the 2012 TrustPower Invercargill Southland Community Awards are closing at 5pm on Friday 17 August. These awards are run in conjunction with the Invercargill City Council and Southland District Council and aim to recognise and reward the outstanding voluntary efforts from groups in this region.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville says there are hundreds of groups operating in the Invercargill Southland region and the work they do deserves to be recognised and celebrated.

“One of the best ways to demonstrate the importance of volunteering to the Invercargill Southland community is to ensure volunteers' contributions are recognised, valued and accounted for through these Awards,” says Miss Somerville.

Southland District Mayor Frana Cardo says that too often volunteers are the hard workers behind the scenes so it is always good when we can celebrate them and their success stories.

“Southland District Council really appreciates the dedicated volunteers throughout the province as their time, effort and enthusiasm makes them the glue that holds our communities together,” says Mayor Cardo.

People should be proud of their work in their communities and these awards recognise that success and that pride,” she says.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt agrees that volunteers are the back bone of the community.

“All organisations who harness volunteer energy and skills should enter these projects in the TrustPower Community Awards,” says Mayor Shadbolt.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation for these awards and groups can also enter themselves. However with less than two weeks until entries close it’s a good idea to act on this now.

By taking a little of your time to fill out an entry form you can make a huge difference to the volunteers you are entering. Entry forms are available at your local council offices or at service centres or can be downloaded from www.trustpower.co.nz/communitycentre. Entry forms can also be received by calling Jess Somerville 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. The category winners receive $500 and runners-up receive $250. The Supreme Winner will take home $1,500, a trophy, framed certificate and an all-expenses paid trip to the TrustPower National Community Awards.

The TrustPower Invercargill Southland Community Awards will be presented on October 1 at the Victoria Room in Invercargill.

For more information on the TrustPower Community Awards please visit www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards.

ENDS

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