The Search is on for Far North’s Community Champions

The annual opportunity to recognise the dedication of local voluntary groups is approaching Far North District residents, with entries for the TrustPower Far North Community Awards opening on Monday 11 February 2013.

The Awards, which are run in partnership with the Far North District Council, are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make the Far North District a better place to live.

Anyone can enter a voluntary group or organisation for the TrustPower Far North Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

Since the TrustPower Far North Community Awards began in 2009 more than $21,000 has been given away to deserving voluntary groups and organisations. This year more than $5000 is up for grabs.

Last year 49 groups were entered in the TrustPower Far North Community Awards. TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff believes that along with the groups that were part of last year’s TrustPower Community Awards round, that there are still many voluntary groups out there who deserve recognition.

“Entering a group for the TrustPower Far North Community Awards will take just two minutes of your time, but will be an enormous boost for the group you are recognising.

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 moments of your time to enter a voluntary group but it will make a real difference to the volunteers you are recognising,” says Suzi.

Entry Forms for the TrustPower Community Awards are available from Council offices or service centres or can be completed online at www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards. Entry Forms can also be received by calling Suzi Luff on 0800 87 11 11. Entries for the TrustPower Far North Community Awards close at 5pm on Friday 12 April 2013.

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 2013 TrustPower National Community Awards.

Last year’s TrustPower Far North Community Awards Supreme Winner was Te Mira – The Mill Gym. This group is less than six weeks away from being a part of the 2012 TrustPower National Community Awards, being hosted in the Far North from 22-24 March 2013.

The 2012 TrustPower National Community Awards will bring 160 people from around the country to the Far North District for New Zealand’s largest recognition programme for voluntary groups and organisations. The participants will be representatives from 23 other regional Supreme Winner groups who will be accompanied by representatives from councils across New Zealand.

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