Volunteers celebrated at awards ceremony

Volunteers from across Lower Hutt were last night celebrated for their generosity and service to the community.

Hutt City Council’s Volunteer Awards celebration brings the previous Civic, Safe City and Community awards together under one umbrella.

Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says the awards are an annual opportunity to recognise those individuals and groups across the city that help to make Lower Hutt such a great community.

“It was great to formally recognise the selfless time and energy devoted by some to the benefit and welfare of others.

“Our volunteers make our community a better, brighter, more vibrant place in which to live. They are our local heroes.”

Award winners:

Civic Awards – recognising outstanding voluntary service to the community
Jan Heine: Awarded for Community Services
Merilyn Merrett: Awarded for Community Services
Brent Ludlam: Awarded for Youth Activities
Hepetema and Mate Taitua: Awarded for Cultural Affairs
Gabriel Tupou: Youth Services Award

Hutt Safe City Awards – recognising those who contribute to helping create a safe city. They are presented in partnership with the Lower Hutt Police
Organisation/Group Award : Community Safety Camera System Search and Download team
Individual Award: Dale Laurent
Police Area Commanders Award: Graham Smeaton

Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards (Lower Hutt) – recognising the volunteer work of community groups across the city. They are presented in partnership with Wellington Airport and the Wellington Community Trust.

Supreme Winner
Te Rā O Te Raukura

Arts & Culture
Winner: Te Rā O Te Raukura / Runner-up: Sri Lankan Dance Academy Inc

Education & Child Youth Development
Winner: Hutt Science / Runner-up: Wellington Downs Syndrome Association

Health & Well-Being
Winner: Foster Hope Charitable Trust / Runner-up: MIX - Connecting, Creating, Living Inc.

Heritage & Environment
Winner: Rimutaka Forest Park Trust / Runner-up: Treat Times 30

Sport & Leisure
Winner: Sport Wainuiomata Inc / Runner-up: Sola Power Throwing Academy

Rising Star
Winner: JAM After School / Runner-up: Wharekai Pēpē

ENDS

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