Media release, for immediate release, Wednesday 18 September 2013

Final Days to Enter Whanganui District’s Community Heroes Into Inaugural Local Awards

Locals have just a few more days to ensure their favourite voluntary groups are part of Whanganui District’s biggest celebration highlighting the region’s volunteers. Entries for the inaugural TrustPower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards close at 5pm on Friday 27 September and there is more than $5,000 in total up for grabs.

The TrustPower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards, run in conjunction with the Wanganui District Council and along with Energy Direct, will recognise and reward voluntary groups and organisations for the outstanding contribution they make to the local community.

This is the first year that the TrustPower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards have been run. TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says the response so far has been encouraging but she believes there are still plenty of community groups providing services, activities, support and events in the community who deserve to be entered into the TrustPower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards for their contributions to the community.

“Volunteers dedicate thousands of hours to the community. We must remember that volunteers fundraise, they build and preserve things, and they host events. They coordinate health support groups and they teach children new skills and sports and then there are others who will even save people and property if they need to. And all of this is often on top of work and family commitments too,” says Miss Luff.

Suzi says entering a group in the TrustPower Community Awards is a great way to show appreciation of these local community groups

“These Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and honour some of Whanganui District’s hardworking and generous volunteers. It means we get the chance to share with the community all of the wonderful work that the district’s volunteers are doing for the benefit of many as they keep the community thriving and buzzing.

Now we turn to the community to ask that they thank local voluntary groups by entering them in the TrustPower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards.

Its takes five minutes to enter a voluntary group but it will make a real difference to the volunteers you are recognising,” says Suzi.

Anyone can enter a voluntary group for the Awards – groups can even enter themselves. But act now because entries close on Friday 27 September. Entered groups are then asked to submit an Information Form, describing the aim of the group, what it has achieved in the last 12 months and how it’s helped the community. These Information Forms are on Friday 4th October.

The Supreme Winner of the TrustPower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards will represent the district at the 2013 TrustPower National Community Awards which are being held in Invercargill and Southland next March.

As an added bonus, everyone who enters a group for the TrustPower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards will go in the draw to win a $100 Energy Direct voucher.

Entry forms are available at any Council office or service centre, online at www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards or by calling TrustPower Community Relations on 0800 87 11 11. Suzi will gladly take entries over the phone.

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 take home $250.  The Supreme Winner receives $1,500 and the opportunity to attend, at no cost, the National Community Awards being held in the Far North in March 2013.

The inaugural TrustPower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards will be presented at a function on Monday 18 November, to which all entered organisations and their nominators will be invited.

ENDS

© Scoop Media