Media Release, Tuesday 19 March 2013

National Awards Come to the Far North 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 Far North 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 2012 TrustPower National Community Awards will run from 22 - 24 March 2013.

Attending the National Awards will be representatives from the 24 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 presentations and judging day, held on Saturday 23 March at the Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Road, Kerikeri.

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 achieved some amazing accomplishments – from establishing a dialysis centre to running iconic sports events. We are delighted to be able to bring these generous and hard-working representatives of these groups and their stories to the Far North. We invite the public to come along and hear all about what these remarkable volunteers have achieved in their communities,” says Suzi.

The TrustPower National Community Awards presentation and judging day is being held at the Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Road, Kerikeri from 8.30 am – 3.45 pm. Below is a list of the organisations attending the TrustPower National Community Awards and the time they will be giving their presentation.

Joining the regional teams at the TrustPower National Community Awards is a number of invited guests including Radio NZ host Jim Mora, Jan Harrison from Volunteering New Zealand and Malcolm Cameron, QSM and 2012 Senior New Zealander of the Year award recipient, all of whom are on the independent judging panel for the National Awards.

Representing the Far North District at this year’s TrustPower National Community Awards is Te Mira – The Mill Gym, of Kaikohe.

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 tour through the Stone Store before being hosted by the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust, which includes a tour of their shed and a ride out to Taumarere and a bbq lunch.

“Saturday’s presentations and judging day being held at the Turner Centre is also very fitting, as not only is this an amazing community asset, but the volunteers behind this facility represented the Far North at last year’s TrustPower National Community Awards,” says Suzi.

The TrustPower National Community Awards Supreme Winner and Runner Up will be announced at an Awards Dinner on Saturday 23 March held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The Supreme Winner will receive a trophy, designed and carved by local artist Paitangi Ostick, $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.

ENDS

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