Final Days to Thank Rotorua’s Community Heroes

Local community groups and volunteers have just a few more days to ensure they are part of Rotorua’s biggest celebration highlighting the city’s volunteers. Entries for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards close at 5pm on Friday 21 September.

The TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards recognise and reward voluntary groups and organisations for the outstanding contribution they make to their community and they are run in conjunction with the Rotorua District Council.

The TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards has been part of the Rotorua District since 1998. Each year, usually 45 – 60 groups are entered for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Teresa Partridge is hoping for the last minute rush in entries.

“Volunteers in the Rotorua District provide a lot of services, activities, support and events in the community and often they are not recognised for the invaluable work they do.

We know that there are thousands of volunteers in and around the district working hard to keep the community thriving. Now we turn to the community to ask that they say ‘thanks’ to local voluntary groups and volunteers by entering them for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards.

It only takes a few minutes to enter a group and the volunteers you are recognising will be chuffed,” says Mrs Partridge.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves. But act now because nominations close on Friday 21 September.

Entry Forms for the TrustPower Community Awards are available from the Council offices or service centres or can be downloaded from www.trustpower.co.nz/communitycentre. Entry Forms can also be received by calling Teresa Partridge at TrustPower on 0800 87 11 11 ext 4851. Teresa can also take the details of your entry over the phone.

The Awards cover five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Education and Child/Youth Development. The category winners receive $500 and runners up take home $250. The Supreme Winner receives $1,500 and the opportunity to attend, at no cost, the National Community Awards being held in the Far North District in March 2013.

The Awards will be presented at a function on Monday 29 October.