Community award winners announced

Rotorua Museum Outside the Walls Walking Tour Guides has won the Supreme Award at the 2017 Trustpower Rotorua Lakes Community Awards.

The winners of the awards were announced tonight at the Rotorua Lakes Council Community Awards at a function at the Rotorua Lakes Council Chamber.

For winning the Supreme Award, Rotorua Museum Outside the Walls Walking Tour Guides received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1500. It now has the opportunity to represent the district at the 2017 Trustpower National Community Awards, which are being held in the Queenstown Lakes District in April.

Trustpower gave away more than $5000 to various community groups.

Rotorua acting mayor Dave Donaldson said the unexpected closure of Rotorua Museum was a shock to all but staff and the museum's volunteers had taken it in their stride and been determined to continue providing services to the community and visitors.

"They've looked beyond the walls of the museum building and provided, among other things, these historical tours which were extremely popular with both locals and tourists. It's a great innovation which means we've been able to continue sharing our proud local history with our dedicated volunteers taking the lead.

"This award is very well deserved and is a small way to acknowledge their contribution to our community.

"I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who were acknowledged in the Trustpower and Rotorua Lakes Council community awards as well as all the other volunteers doing great work in our community."

Six local volunteers were recognised for their ongoing dedication to the Rotorua community at the Rotorua Lakes Council Community Awards.

The recipients were acknowledged for devoting at least 15 years of voluntary service to one or more community sectors, or having made a significant difference in a particular field.

Trustpower Rotorua Lakes Community Awards
Youth Spirit
Finalists: Matthew Gatenby, Rotorua Lakes High School; Nathan
Kenah, Rotoura Boys High School
Winner: Georgia Williams, John Paul College

Heritage and Environment
Runner-up: Te Amorangi Trust Museum Inc
Winner: Rotorua Museum Outside the Walls Walking Tour Guides

Health and Wellbeing
Commendation: BayTrust Rescue Helicopter; Rotorua Community
Kai
Runner-up: St John Health Shuttle
Winner: Dress for Success Rotorua Charitable Trust

Arts and Culture
Runner-up: Rotorua Yarnbombers
Winner: The Arts Village Rotorua

Sports and Leisure
Commendation: Netball Rotorua
Runner-up: Rotorua Mountain Bike Club Inc.
Winner: Swim Rotorua

Education and Child/Youth Development
Runner-up: Kimiora Community Trust
Winner: Mamaku Home and School Committee

Supreme Winner: Rotorua Museum Outside the Walls Walking
Tour Guides

Rotorua Lakes Council Community Awards

Wetini Mitai-Ngatai
Clare Beuth
Manu Soloman
Gabrielle Thurston
Bronwen Radford
Francisca Hawkes-Buchanan