Media release, for immediate release, 21 March 2013

Countdown Begins To National Community Awards
Waitaki Community Gardens Prepares To Represent Waitaki District

In just a couple of days the Waitaki Community Gardens will be going head to head with the country’s best and brightest voluntary groups and organisations at the TrustPower National Community Awards.

The 2012 TrustPower National Community Awards are being held in the Far North District from 22 - 24 March 2013.

Waitaki Community Gardens is representing the Waitaki District at the National Awards – an honour they won after being named Supreme Winner at the TrustPower Waitaki District Community Awards last year. The TrustPower Waitaki District Community Awards are run in conjunction with Waitaki District Council.

Joining the Waitaki Community Gardens at the National Community Awards will be representatives from 23 other voluntary groups or organisations from around the country that were named Supreme Winner at their regional TrustPower Community Awards.

At the National Community Awards, the Waitaki Community Gardens will give an eight minute presentation on what the group has achieved and why they deserve the title of TrustPower National Community Award Supreme Winner. Waitaki Community Gardens will be judged on that presentation, along with a 1,000 word summary of the organisation.

The presentations will take place on Saturday 23 March at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri, with the Winner and Runner-Up being announced at an Awards dinner that evening being held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville says the Waitaki Community Gardens have put together a fantastic presentation.

“The Waitaki community should be really proud of what the Waitaki Community Gardens has achieved. They will make wonderful ambassadors for your community at the TrustPower National Community Awards,” says Miss Somerville.

“We are looking forward to hearing how they have created a ‘classroom without walls’ that is driven by this committed group of volunteers, with benefits for locals that include learning to grow food and cook it too.”

Attending the National Community Awards from the Waitaki Community Gardens will be Gloria Hurst and Annie Beattie, along with Waitaki District Councillor Helen Stead.

The TrustPower National Community Awards Supreme Winner will take home $2,500, a framed certificate, a trophy and a $500 voucher from Exult, a leading and specialist training provider for the community sector. The Runner Up will receive $1,500, a framed certificate and a $200 voucher from Exult.

Meanwhile, entries are now being taken for the 2013 TrustPower Waitaki District Community Awards. Anyone can enter a group for the Awards and all voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations are eligible to be entered, with entries closing on Friday 3 May. The Supreme Winner of the 2013 TrustPower Waitaki District Community Awards will go to the TrustPower National Community Awards in March 2014.

ENDS

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