Media Release, for immediate release, Monday 23 July 2012

Searching for Rotorua District’s Community Heroes

The once a year opportunity to celebrate and recognise local volunteers has arrived in the Rotorua District, with entries open for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards today (Monday 23 July).

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

Since the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards began in 1998, more than $65,000 has been given away to deserving voluntary groups and organisations. This year more than $5,000 is up for grabs.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

Last year 46 entries were received for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards, but TrustPower Community Relations Representative Teresa Partridge believes there are many more voluntary groups out there who deserve recognition.

“Volunteers in the Rotorua District dedicate thousands of hours to the community. They are often behind the scene, and are not recognised for the huge effort they are putting in.

Now it’s the local community’s chance to say ‘thank you’ to these volunteers who work hard to improve the community – from sports clubs, to Plunket groups, to community projects happening in your backyard. It takes a few minutes of your time to enter a voluntary group but it will make a real difference to the volunteers you are recognising,” says Mrs Partridge.

Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters values the contribution that volunteers make to Rotorua, and says the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge some of those generous volunteer organisations which make a real difference to our community.

“Rotorua is fortunate to have a large number of such organisations making a very worthwhile contribution where it is needed most.

While for most groups, the only reward sought is the satisfaction of knowing they have added to the fabric of life in our district, it is timely to pause and take the chance to say "well done" to some of those organisations whose work has inspired us,” says Mayor Kevin.

Entry forms for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards are available from Council offices or service centres or can be downloaded from www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards. Entry forms can also be received by calling Teresa Partridge of TrustPower Community Relations on 0800 87 11 11.

The awards cover five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Education 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 TrustPower National Community Awards. Last year’s Supreme Winner was Neighbourhood Support Rotorua.

Entries for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards close on Friday 21 September 2012.

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