Entries closing for volunteer awards

Local community groups and volunteers have just a few more days to ensure they are part of Rotorua's biggest celebration of the city's volunteers.

Entries for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards close at 5pm this Friday.

The awards, run in association with the Rotorua District Council, recognise and reward voluntary groups and organisations for the outstanding contributions they make to their communities.

The awards have been part of the Rotorua district since 1998. Each year, about 45 to 60 groups are entered.

Teresa Partridge, TrustPower community relations representative, is hoping for a last-minute rush in entries.

"Volunteers in the Rotorua district provide a lot of services, activities, support and events in the community and often they are not recognised for the invaluable work they do," she said.

"We know that there are thousands of volunteers in and around the district working hard to keep the community thriving. Now we turn to the community to ask that they say 'thanks' to local voluntary groups and volunteers by entering them for the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards.

"It takes only a few minutes to enter a group and the volunteers you are recognising will be chuffed," Mrs Partridge said.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation - voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

Entry forms are available from the council offices or service centres or can be downloaded from www.trustpower.co.nz/communitycentre. Forms can also be obtained by calling Teresa Partridge at TrustPower on 0800 871111 ext 4851. She can also take your entry details over the phone.

The awards cover five categories: Heritage and Environment; Health and Wellbeing; Arts and Culture; Sport and Leisure; and Education and Child/Youth Development. The category winners receive $500 and runners-up take home $250. The supreme winner receives $1500 and the opportunity to attend, at no cost, the National Community Awards in the Far North District in March 2013.

The awards function will be on Monday, October 29.