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

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