Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade Take Out Top Award
The Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade have taken home the Supreme Award at Whakatāne District’s biggest annual
celebration of volunteers, the Trustpower Community Awards.
Voluntary groups from around the region gathered with representatives from Trustpower, the Whakatāne District Council,
and the community at the Little Theatre to hear how 14 community groups and three students are making an impact in their
community.
Trustpower Community Relations Representative Alice Boyd says it was the Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade’s year to be
recognised for all of their efforts, especially during the flooding events and cyclone earlier this year.
“The Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade work hard for their community every day, but this year they’ve gone above and
beyond. They gave approximately 2,700 hours of their time during the Edgecumbe floods, have attended over 160 emergency
callouts, and also find time to help with other local events like Guy Fawkes displays and Christmas in The Park” says
Miss Boyd.
“Their unwavering dedication, support and love for their community is something pretty special, and we look forward to
hearing more of their story at the Trustpower National Awards next year” she says.
For winning the Supreme Award, the Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade received a framed certificate, a trophy, and $1,500
prize money.
The Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade will go on to represent the Whakatāne District at the 2017 Trustpower National
Community Awards, taking place in the Queenstown Lakes District next April.
Other winners at tonight’s Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards were:
Youth Community Spirit
Winner: Claudia Barrett (Whakatāne High School)
Finalist: Cameron Cox (Edgecumbe College)
Finalist: Alisha Dabb (Trident High School)
Heritage and Environment
Winner: Whakatāne West Rotary
Runner-up: Whakatāne Kiwi Trust
Health and Wellbeing
Winner: Whakatāne Budget Advisory Service
Runner-up: Clothing Project
Commendation: Pou Whakaaro
Arts and Culture
Winner: EBOP Brass
Runner-up: Lions Club Ōhope
Sport and Leisure
Winner: Whakatāne Surf Lifesaving Club
Runner-up: Edgecumbe College Athletics Academy
Education and Child/Youth Development
Winner: 35 Squadron (Whakatāne) Air Training Corps
Runner-up: Edgecumbe Playcentre
Commendation: Te Mahoe Village Trust
Special Award
Ngāti Awa Volunteer Army
Supreme Winner
Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade
ENDS