Trust Power Awards – Don't leave it Too Late

Mayor Maureen Reynolds is urging local organisations to enter the Community Trust Power Awards before it is too late.

“Large or small, if your group, club, society or service club involves volunteers or is a not for profit organisation then you are eligible,” she says.

Nor do applicants need an outside nominator – they can do so themselves.

Groups have until April 1 – next Thursday – to enter.

Passionate about the work volunteers do on behalf of their communities Mrs Reynolds said that “New Zealand would probably close down” without them.

Trust Power recognises the value of volunteers by partnering with councils to support their work on an annual basis.

Since the inception of the community awards in 2000 there are 24 districts now participating.

Their diverse contributions are encompassed in five different categories: Sport and Leisure, Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, and Educational and Child/Youth Development.

At local level a judging panel selects a winner from each category and then an overall winner to represent their region in a national final. Attendance is funded by Trust Power.

Overall Tararua winner for the 2009 awards was the Southern Tararua St John’s Health Shuttle represented by Tom and Jean Fleming, Pahiatua.

Recently returned from the national finals hosted by the Nelson City and Tasman District Councils, Mrs Fleming said the experience and range of volunteer initiatives was “impressive” and she would encourage groups to enter.

Finals for 2010 will be held next year at Tauranga.

Application forms are available at the four council service centres and can be downloaded from the council website www.tararua.com