Mrs Willis said Rotorua Museum volunteer co-ordinator Julie Parsons' "infectious enthusiasm" rubbed off on the volunteers, and it was her idea for the Government Gardens tours.
More than 1500 tourists and locals have enjoyed the tours to date, learning about Rotorua's history, points of interest in the Government Gardens and taking in the sculpture trail in the gardens.
There are still two tours a day, at 11am and 2pm.
Meanwhile support co-ordinator Frances Berkers said the Arts Village was elated by its win in the Arts and Culture category.
"It's such a massive honour to be included in the list of organisations. It's a pretty good way to end the week."
Swim Rotorua head coach Alastair Johnson said the organisation was pleased and humbled to receive the Sports and Leisure award.
"We are very proud of our links with the Aquatic Centre and Rotorua Lakes Swim School, helping make a difference by providing access and opportunity for swimming lessons," he said.
"We do a lot of work in the community and have a whole army [of volunteers] that chip in and help ... it was humbling to see the great depth in Rotorua's volunteer community and see those recognised in a wide spectrum of areas."
Dress for Success Rotorua Charitable Trust took home the Health and Wellbeing award.
Volunteer co-ordinator Sue Foster and president Michelle Pleydell attended the awards.
"It's exciting. We're feeling very honoured and humbled to be selected. It's a nice boost for our volunteers to be publically recognised," Mrs Foster said.
"We have a small, dedicated team of around 10 volunteers and are desperately in need of a lot more."
She said Dress for Success' mission was to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing network support, professional attire and development tools.
"All our clothes are donated and we are always looking for professional and corporate attire."
Rotorua Lakes Council creative communities lead councillor Karen Hunt said the awards were a wonderful event.
"Our community is full of volunteers and these awards just scratch the surface - it's a small way to celebrate the very big pool of people making a big contribution. They're the lifeblood of any community and we couldn't be any more proud."
The six recipients for the Rotorua Lakes Council Community Awards were recognised for their ongoing dedication to the Rotorua community.
Wetini Mitai-Ngatai is the creative power behind the kapa Te Matarae Orehu. He was gifted the reins to the kapa in 1994 by his mentor, the late Te Irirangi Tiakiawa.
In 2015 he received the Laureate Award, one of the country's top arts awards for recognition of his work as a cultural entrepreneur and kapa haka expert.
Francisca Hawkes-Buchanan, 86, was honoured for her community work, helping out at the Red Cross Shop where she often sources helpful items for the Kiwi Coffin Club, of which she has been a member for many years.
Clare Beuth was given her award for being an outstanding volunteer in the Mamaku community for at least 15 years through her commitment to the Mamaku Play Centre and Mamaku School.
Chairwoman of Speech New Zealand, a Speech New Zealand trustee and a senior examiner, Gabrielle Thurston has given tirelessly of her time to promote and enhance the development of oral communication, speech and drama, and theatre in New Zealand.
Bronwen Radford has more than 20 years' involvement in swimming and has had a remarkable level of volunteer and personal commitment to the sport in the Rotorua community, the Bay of Plenty region and at the national level.
Recently she was the catalyst to a joint bid being developed and submitted to Swimming New Zealand to host two significant swimming meets.
Manu Soloman has given outstanding service to Rotorua through sport in a variety of ways since 1994.
She first got involved as a coach when following and supporting her children's sport. She has coached basketball at Selwyn Primary, Kaitao Intermediate and Western Heights High School; and also a number of representative teams.
