Taupo Model Railway Club Inc Take Home Top Award

Taupo Model Railway Clun Inc won the Supreme Award at the 2013 TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards.

The Awards were announced and presented last night, Monday 2 September, at a function at the Great Lake Centre, Taupo. The 2013 Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award was also presented to local toy maker, Sonny Hansen, at this function.

For winning the Supreme Award, Taupo Model Railway Club Inc received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1,500 prize money. Taupo Model Railway Club Inc now has the opportunity to represent the district at the 2013 TrustPower National Community Awards, which are being held in Invercargill and Southland regions in March 2014.

Taupo Model Railway Club Inc also received a $500 radio advertising voucher from local TrustPower Community Awards supporter Classic Hits. This is exclusive to the Taupō District and it will allow the Supreme Winner to profile its group to the community.

In total, TrustPower has given away over $5,000 to various community groups through the night’s Awards, the fifteenth for the district.

TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says Taupo Model Railway Club Inc are a great example of interests and passions fuelling greater community spirit.

“At the core of this club, is the promotion of fellowship amongst railway modellers. And they take this to another level, by hosting The Annual Hobby Expo here in Taupo, which not only encourages a love for their hobby, but provides the synergy and platform for other groups to share their passions.

Taupo Model Railway Club Inc has created and maintains a showcase that is one of Taupo’s top ten events. Each show costs between $12,000 and $15,000 to stage. Once the Taupo Model Railway Club has put some money aside to finance its annual activities and bills, it pays it forward by making donations to various local organisations, including the Taupo Arts Society and local Genealogy Branch.

It’s estimated that 700 hours goes into organising this two-day event every year, with around 60 hobbyists and enthusiasts participating in the expo. Each show attracts up to 4,000 people and it’s become a popular and successful showcase on Taupo’s event calendar.

The Taupo Model Railway Club has built an iconic event that creates space for others to show off their hobbies and for this they will be representing the Taupo District at the next TrustPower National Community Awards in March, 2014,” says Suzi.

Fifty five entries were received for this year’s TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards.

Other winners at the night’s TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards were:

Heritage and Environment
Runner-Up: Taupo SPCA
Winner: Omori/Kuratau Pest Management Group

Health and Well Being
Commendation: Taupo Community Patrol
Runner-Up: Turangi Transport Group
Winner: Taupo Volunteer Rural Fire Force

Arts and Culture
Runner-Up: The Purple Patch
Winner: Centre Stage (Taupo) Inc

Sport and Leisure
Runner- up: Mt. Tauhara Gymnastics
Winner: Coastguard Lake Taupo

Education and Child/Youth Development
Runner-Up: Family and Financial Solutions
Winner: Soroptimist International Taupo

Supreme Winner
Taupo Model Railway Club Inc

Youth Spirit
Winner: Karlee Searancke
Finalist: Holly Finch
Finalist: Trent Forsyth

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