Final days to enter Taupo District's heroes

Local community groups and volunteers have just a few more days to ensure they are part of Taupo District’s biggest celebration of highlighting the district’s volunteers. Entries for the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards and the Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award are closing at 5pm on Friday 20 July, and there is more than $5,000 in total up for grabs.

The TrustPower Community Awards, run in partnership with the Taupo District Council, recognise and reward voluntary groups and organisations for the outstanding contribution they make to the local community.

The Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by The Radio Network Taupo. It joins the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards programme, and is exclusive to the Taupo District.  The Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award will honour one individual volunteer for their outstanding contribution in the community.

The TrustPower Community Awards programme has been part of the Taupo District since 2000. Each year, usually 50– 60 groups are entered for the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards. Last year 57 entries were received.  

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Teresa Partridge 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 Taupo 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 are passionate about the communities they live in and get out there and make change happen– and all of this is often on top of work and family commitments too.  We think these sort of voluntary contributions deserve to be acknowledged,” says Mrs Partridge.

Teresa says entering a group in the TrustPower Community Awards is really easy – it will only take a few minutes of your time.

“The TrustPower Community Awards programme celebrates and recognises the work of voluntary groups and community organisations in 25 regions throughout the country but Taupo District is the only region with an award that recognises and celebrates the work of individual volunteers.

“The Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award combined with the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards is a fantastic opportunity to honour these hardworking and generous people. It also gives us a chance to share with the community all the wonderful things that this district’s volunteers are doing for the benefit of many,” says Mrs Partridge.

Anyone can enter a volunteer or voluntary group for these awards. But act now because entries close on Friday 20 July.

Entry forms are available from Council offices or service centres or from The Radio Network Taupo. Entry forms can also be received by calling The Radio Network Taupo on 07 3760550, Teresa at TrustPower on 0800 87 11 11 or online at www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards

A judging panel made up of representatives from the community, TrustPower, Taupo District Council and The Radio Network Taupo will decide the winner of the Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award along with the winners of the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards.

The Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year will receive a framed certificate, a weekend away for two people and some time on-air with Classic Hits.

The TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards has five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Education 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 TrustPower National Community Awards.  Last year’s Supreme Winner was Bike Taupo Advocacy.

The Radio Network Taupo continues to extend its support of the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards by awarding a $500 radio advertising voucher to the Supreme Winner group.

The Awards will be presented at a function on Monday 3 September.