Denniston Heritage Trust And Trev's BBQ Named Joint Winners of
Trustpower National Community Awards
Denniston Heritage Trust, representing the Buller District, and Trev's BBQ, representing Ashburton District, have been
named as joint Supreme Winners at the prestigious TrustPower National Community Awards.
The Awards were announced tonight (Saturday 24 March) at the 2011 TrustPower National Community Awards Dinner, held at
Terrace Downs in Canterbury.
The Runner-Up was Homes of Hope, representing Tauranga City.
The announcement comes after a full day for the 25 teams participating in the TrustPower National Community Awards.
Today, each regional team gave an eight minute presentation on their activities or project in a judging session held at
Methven Heritage Centre, Methven. The teams were judged on that presentation and on a 1,000 word summary each group
provided prior to the event.
Denniston Heritage Trust was represented at the TrustPower National Community Awards by Peter Robertson and John Green,
along with Buller District Mayor Pat McManus.
Denniston Heritage Trust has preserved the heritage of one of New Zealand's largest producing coal fields, turning it
into a unique visitor attraction that showcases the richness of Denniston's historic and natural heritage.
Trev's BBQ was represented by Trevor and Jane Hurley, along with Ashburton District Mayor Angus McKay and Councillor
Martin Nordgvist.
Trev's BBQ was an immediate and significant response to feed and support people in the most affected areas following the
February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
As TrustPower National Community Awards Joint Supreme Winners, Denniston Heritage Trust and Trev's BBQ both receive
$2,500 and a framed certificate. Because Denniston Heritage Trust will continue to operate, it will receive a trophy and
a $500 voucher from Exult, a leading specialist training provider for the community sector, and a framed certificate.
TrustPower Community Relations Manager Graeme Purches says it is humbling and encouraging to be part of a celebration
that brings together 25 positively high-impacting community groups.
"TrustPower is proud to lead the way in recognising, rewarding and celebrating the incredible contribution volunteers
make to New Zealand communities," says Graeme Purches.
"All 25 groups participating in the TrustPower National Community Awards are shining examples of the amazing work
volunteers undertake every day in cities and districts all around New Zealand. These groups have already won recognition
in their regions and we are delighted to be able to showcase their efforts nationally at this weekend's event," says Mr
Purches.
The Awards were judged by a panel of independent judges, NZ Today Editor Allan Dick, Radio NZ host Jim Mora, Gillian
Peacock from Volunteering New Zealand and Malcolm Cameron, 2012 Senior New Zealander of the Year.
Also involved in the judging process were each of the 25 voluntary groups at the Awards, with the peer voting making up
50% of the final judging score and the independent judging panel's votes making up the other 50%. The groups were judged
on five criteria: Voluntary Input; Utilisation of Resources; Initiative and Creativity; Effectiveness of Activities; and
Impact on District.
The judges' comments about Denniston Heritage Trust include:
"Enormous effort - love the use of the old and new technology."
" Fantastic project - world class with enduring benefits."
The judges' comments about Trev's BBQ include:
"You are such good people, and you accomplished something phenomenal."
" Your compassionate effort - unbelievable!"
Please find below background information about the TrustPower Community Awards and TrustPower National Community Awards.
For more information, interviews with the winners or photos of the groups accepting the TrustPower National Community
Award, please call Suzi Luff or Graeme Purches.
Graeme Purches Suzi Luff
Community Relations Manager Community Relations Coordinator
Ph: 021 226 3368 Ph: 021 220 8894
For more information about Exult go to www.exult.co.nz
TrustPower National Community Awards - Background
Over the last 18 years the TrustPower Community Awards have grown into one of the country's largest volunteer-based
Awards programmes.
Thanks to the TrustPower Community Awards, thousands of volunteers have been recognised and almost a million dollars has
been injected into community groups up and down the country.
The TrustPower Community Awards were initially set up with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council 18 years ago, when
TrustPower became a listed company.
Since then, TrustPower has established Community Awards in cities and districts right around the country, as a way of
giving something back to its customers and their community.
Today, the TrustPower Community Awards are run in 25 regions around the country, in conjunction with local district or
city Councils. Any voluntary group or volunteer-based not-for-profit organisation is eligible for the Awards, which
recognise past achievements or work undertaken by volunteers over the previous 12 months.
In 2000, TrustPower initiated the National Community Awards, where the Supreme Winners from the regional Awards share
ideas and experiences and compete for the title of TrustPower National Community Award Supreme Winner.
National Awards
The TrustPower National Community Awards are attended by representatives from each of the organisations judged Supreme
Winner at their regional Awards, along with their region's Mayor and his or her partner.
Each regional team compiles an eight minute presentation on their group or organisation and its achievements as well as
providing a 1,000 word written summary on their organisation. The teams themselves score each group, along with a panel
of independent judges.
The TrustPower National Community Award Supreme Winner receives $2,500, a framed certificate and a trophy, with the
Runner-Up receiving $1,500 and a framed certificate. The Runner Up and Supreme Winners also receive vouchers from Exult,
a leading and specialist training provider for the community sector.
Although all organisations participating in the National Awards would love to take home the big prize, the Awards are
about more than money and titles They are about giving organisations time out, the opportunity to socialise and network
with other similar groups and the chance to share ideas and experiences in a relaxed environment.
There have been many examples of this networking resulting in ideas from one end of the country being established as
successful projects in another region!
Past National Award Winners
2000: CACTUS (Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit & Support)
Westland District
2001: The Otangarei Youth Sports & Recreation Trust
Whangarei
2002: Te Puna Quarry Park Society Inc.
Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty District
2003: Palmerston Gateway to Gold Charitable Trust
Waihemo District
2004: Friends of Dunstan Hospital
Central Otago District
2005: Kihikihi Waikato Eventing
Waipa District
2006: Special Rigs for Special Kids
Dunedin City
2007: Palmerston North Street Van
Palmerston North City
2008: Wairoa Community Development Trust
Wairoa District
2009: The Friends of Motueka Hospital Trust
Nelson City/Tasman District
2010: Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust
Far North District