Community awards open for Western Bay
Community groups in the Western Bay are urged to have a go for the 2018 Trustpower Community Awards - and entries are now open.
This is a great way to get your organisation noticed and it can be a pathway for future project funding. Last year more than 1000 groups made a bid for an award.
Applications for this year's awards close on 31 May 2018.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council, along with Trustpower, started these awards in 1994 to highlight and recognise the work of voluntary groups and organisations that were working quietly behind the scenes and making a great difference to their community.
Over the years entries have increased and the awards have become a sought-after goal for community groups.
Several category winners in last year's awards were Western Bay groups, including Te Puke Gymsport (which was the Supreme Winner); Katikati Open-Air Art; Te Puke Skate Park Group; Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard; Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society and the Te Puke Toy Library.
This year Trustpower is partnering with 25 councils to celebrate the work of volunteers at 12 functions from the Far North to Invercargill.
The Western Bay-Tauranga awards will be held on 12 September 2018.
Trustpower Community and Communications Advisor Ashleigh Cleaver says the benefits of entering the awards is that voluntary groups normally operating under the radar are recognised for their tremendous efforts.
"Without volunteers our communities simply could not function the way they do and it's important to take the time out to make these groups and volunteers feel valued. Not only that, but winners receive cash to put towards their causes or groups.''
The awards are open for any group with a voluntary component and anyone can put forward an entry - even the group itself.
