Local Volunteers Hit The Big Screen

Local Volunteers Hit The Big Screen

Volunteers from Tararua are about to get their television debut on the new TVNZ 7 series Volunteer Power.

The Dannevirke and District A & P Association and the Dannevirke Fantasy Cave Dwellers and were filmed separately in February by a TVNZ 7 crew to feature in the new television series.

Presented by Julia Bloore (nee Wright) from TVNZ 6's In Between, and Jim Mora of Mucking In fame, Volunteer Power tells the stories of visionary and award-winning projects operating in Kiwi communities - fuelled by the boundless energy of community volunteers.

Dannevirke and District A & P Association is one of 25 voluntary groups from around the country that is featured in the new series, which follows the Supreme Winners from the regional 2010 TrustPower Community Awards. Dannevirke and District A & P Association was named Supreme Winner of the 2010 TrustPower Tararua District Community Awards.

The Dannevirke Fantasy Cave Dwellers are an exceptional group of volunteers in Tararua. They won the inaugural TrustPower Tararua District Community Awards in 2004 and have had a representative on the TrustPower Tararua District Community Awards’ judging panel every year since.

The Dannevirke A & P show is steeped in tradition; for over 100 hundred years town and country have been meeting with the help of the hardworking volunteers who put this event together. From one show ending, the planning for the next begins – there’s equestrian, livestock, fresh produce, photography, sheep shearing and of course side show ally. The show is a chance for the entire community to get together and celebrate and it may be the only time the volunteers get to relax, despite a bit of running around.

The Dannevirke Fantasy Cave is administered by 13 serious Cave dwellers working with a small army of volunteers; who together have developed a whimsical and magical place for the young and young at heart. As you step inside, you’re transported into a fairytale. From Peter the Pumpkin Eater to Cinderella, it has taken 16 years of tremendous skill and Kiwi ingenuity to bring to life the nursery rhymes and story book characters for all to treasure.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Suzi Luff says these volunteers have a huge impact in their communities.

“It is fabulous that these organisations and their volunteers are being celebrated and showcased on the big screen through Volunteer Power. The Tararua District is the only region in New Zealand to feature two voluntary groups in this series - Tararua you should be very proud!” says Miss Luff.

The new episodes of Volunteer Power feature at the following times on Friday 8 April:

o Dannevirke and District A & P Association, 6.55 pm

o Dannevirke Fantasy Cave, 10.55 pm

The episodes will then be played at various times each week from then on.

For more information about Volunteer Power, including weekly screening schedules and the ability to watch episodes online, go to www.tvnz.co.nz/volunteerpower .

TVNZ 7 is available on Freeview/TiVo channel 7 and on SKY Digital/Telstra channel 77.

ENDS

© Scoop Media