Council backs Trustpower award winners

Several category winners at the Trustpower Community Awards this week are groups that Western Bay of Plenty District Council has supported through mentoring and networking.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor Garry Webber attended the awards night in Waihi Beach and says he felt a sense of pride knowing that Council had been involved in helping many of the groups reach their potential.

Council's Community Relationships Team is very proactive across Western Bay communities providing advice, networking and resourcing to volunteer community groups.

Garry says this support can be the key that enables groups to step up a notch.

A lot of the work we do as a Council goes on behind the scenes - this is an example of how local government can be a facilitator for community groups whose resources rely heavily on volunteers and minimal budgets.

It's very much a part of our Council's philosophy that we are only too happy to help those who do their bit to support themselves.''

Western Bay Council has internal funding sources to which community groups can apply for, such as the annual Community Matching Fund and Facilities in the Community Fund.

Category achievers at the Trustpower Awards with strong affiliations to Council were:

Katikati Open - Air Art; runner-up Western Bay Heritage Trust (Heritage and Environment)

Te Puke Skate Park Group

Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard (Sport and Leisure)

Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society Education Programme

Te Puke Toy Library (Education and Child/Youth Development).

The Supreme Winner went to Te Puke Gymsports which will represent Western Bay of Plenty at the 2017 Trustpower National Community Awards next April.