The once a year opportunity to celebrate and recognise local volunteers has arrived in the Whakatāne district.

Entries for the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards opened on Monday 25 September. The Awards, which are run in partnership with the Whakatāne District Council, are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make Whakatāne a better place to live.

Since the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards began in 2012 more than $25,000 has been given away to deserving voluntary groups and organisations. This year more than $5,000 is up for grabs.

Anyone can enter a voluntary group or organisation for the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

Trustpower Community Relations Representative Teresa Partridge believes there are many voluntary groups out there who deserve recognition.

“Whakatāne is a resourceful part of the country with a great sense of community. Through the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards, every year more groups surface that are doing amazing things for the benefit of the entire community.

Many activities, events, projects, programmes, sports, and services are provided thanks to the region’s hard working volunteers. But often they are not recognised for the invaluable work they do.

Now you have the chance to say ‘thank you’ to these volunteers who work hard to improve the community – just by filling out an entry form. It takes just a few minutes of your time to enter a voluntary group but it will make the recognition will mean so much to the volunteers you are recognising,” says Mrs Partridge.    

Entry Forms for the Trustpower Community Awards are available from the Council offices or service centres or can be completed online at www.Trustpower.co.nz/communityawards.  Entry Forms can also be received by calling Teresa Partridge on 0800 87 11 11. 

The awards cover five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Educational and Child/Youth Development.   Category winners receive $500, runners-up receive $250 and the Supreme Winner will take home $1,500 and an all-expenses paid trip to the 2017 Trustpower National Community Awards. Last year’s Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards Supreme Winner was Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass.  

Entries for the Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards close at 5pm on Friday 13 October.

For more information, contact:

Teresa Partridge, 0800 87 11 11, email Teresa.partridge@trustpower.co.nz