Media Release, Tuesday 19 March 2013
National Awards Come to the Far North District This Weekend
Public invited to meet NZ’s top voluntary groups
The public are being offered the chance to meet New Zealand’s top voluntary groups at this weekend’s TrustPower National
Community Awards.
In a matter of days around 150 people from around the country will converge on the Far North District for the
prestigious National event.
The TrustPower National Community Awards is the country’s biggest celebration of voluntary groups and organisations and
is the highlight of TrustPower’s Community Awards calendar. The 2012 TrustPower National Community Awards will run from
22 - 24 March 2013.
Attending the National Awards will be representatives from the 24 voluntary groups judged Supreme Winner at the regional
TrustPower Community Awards, along with the Mayor or a Council representative from each region.
At the Nationals Awards each group will give an up to eight minute presentation on their activities or project at a
presentations and judging day, held on Saturday 23 March at the Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Road, Kerikeri.
TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff is welcoming the public to come and see these presentations first
hand.
“Each of the voluntary groups and organisations attending the TrustPower National Community Awards have overcome the
odds and achieved some amazing accomplishments – from establishing a dialysis centre to running iconic sports events. We
are delighted to be able to bring these generous and hard-working representatives of these groups and their stories to
the Far North. We invite the public to come along and hear all about what these remarkable volunteers have achieved in
their communities,” says Suzi.
The TrustPower National Community Awards presentation and judging day is being held at the Turner Centre, 43 Cobham
Road, Kerikeri from 8.30 am – 3.45 pm. Below is a list of the organisations attending the TrustPower National Community
Awards and the time they will be giving their presentation.
Joining the regional teams at the TrustPower National Community Awards is a number of invited guests including Radio NZ
host Jim Mora, Jan Harrison from Volunteering New Zealand and Malcolm Cameron, QSM and 2012 Senior New Zealander of the
Year award recipient, all of whom are on the independent judging panel for the National Awards.
Representing the Far North District at this year’s TrustPower National Community Awards is Te Mira – The Mill Gym, of
Kaikohe.
TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says as well as recognising and promoting the work of volunteers,
the TrustPower National Community Awards offer an opportunity to showcase the host district.
Participants at the TrustPower National Community Awards will tour through the Stone Store before being hosted by the
Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust, which includes a tour of their shed and a ride out to Taumarere and a bbq lunch.
“Saturday’s presentations and judging day being held at the Turner Centre is also very fitting, as not only is this an
amazing community asset, but the volunteers behind this facility represented the Far North at last year’s TrustPower
National Community Awards,” says Suzi.
The TrustPower National Community Awards Supreme Winner and Runner Up will be announced at an Awards Dinner on Saturday
23 March held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The Supreme Winner will receive a trophy, designed and carved by local
artist Paitangi Ostick, $2,500 prize money, a $500 voucher from Exult, a leading and specialist training provider for
the community sector and a framed certificate. The Runner Up receives $1,500, a $200 voucher from Exult and a framed
certificate.
ENDS