3 September 2012
Winner of Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award Announced
Shirley Murray has been named as the winner of the Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award for 2012.
Run in conjunction with the TrustPower Taupō District Community Awards, the Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award
aims to recognise the voluntary efforts of individuals in the Taupō District. The Award is run by The Radio Network
Taupo in association with TrustPower and the Taupō District Council.
A call went out to the communities of Taupō District, asking people to nominate an individual that they thought was
providing great voluntary service to a local organisation or a number of local organisations.
Seven people were nominated for the award.
“This is the second time we have done this Award, and it was exciting to read the nominations we got this year. There is
some amazing voluntary work that people do in this community, says Stephen Spargo of Classic Hits.
TrustPower Community Relations Representative Teresa Partridge says this award is a fantastic opportunity to recognise
and honour some of the Taupo District’s hardworking and generous volunteers.
“It 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.
For winning the Award, Shirley Murray will receive a framed certificate, and a weekend away for two.
“Shirley Murray works a full 45 hour week for the Taupo SPCA as an Animal Manager – but completely free of charge. For
the last 35 years she has been a committed volunteer pitching in wherever she can.
Shirley attends the animal centre seven days a week and could be seen doing anything from liaising with the public,
accepting abandoned animals, assessing animal health, feeding, organising DE sexing, vaccinations OR even cleaning the
cages.
Shirley never blinks an eye to a new challenge – she recently set up a new procedure at the new animal centre which was
a huge job. There are ten different areas for cats in the new building and this needed to make sure the right procedures
were in place for the area to runs smoothly.
Shirley has trained all of the cat volunteers over the last 35 years and with over 500 cats coming through the centre
each year that is no mean feat!
What a committed volunteer – that the SPCA simply couldn’t do without,” says Mrs Partridge.
The Classic Hits Volunteer of The Year Award will be presented at the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards, being
held tonight, Monday 3 September.
For more information, please visit www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards
ENDS