Penguin Protectors Win Community Award

A project to protect Wellington's little blue penguins is the Supreme Winner of the 2010 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards.

The awards, presented last night at a ceremony hosted by Mayor Kerry Prendergast in the Council Chamber, acknowledge the contribution of voluntary and non-profit organisations and their volunteers.

Each category winner won $500 and the chance to go through to the regional finals next month, when they will compete against category winners selected by other Councils in the region.

The category winners were:

Place for Penguins, Wellington Forest and Bird - Heritage and Environment category

Wellington Hospitals and Health Foundation - Health and Well-being category

Street Football Aotearoa - Sport and Leisure category

Challenge for Change - Education and Child Youth category

Downtown Community Ministry Bookfair - Arts and Culture category.

The Supreme Award winner, Places For Penguins, seeks to halt the decline of Wellington's little blue penguin population by restoring habitat, providing nest boxes, controlling pests and informing dog walkers and the general public about the presence of the birds.

The awards attracted a total of 42 applications from a wide range of groups.

Mayor Prendergast said she was delighted such a wide mix of community groups had been nominated, with both well-established and new groups and organisations in the running.

"This is a very welcome opportunity to thank the thousands of volunteers who work for the benefit of our communities in areas of fundamental importance. Life would be very different for many of us if it wasn't for our army of volunteers."

"The awards show our appreciation for the many ways in which these groups enhance the character and identity of the Wellington region while also emphasising the wonderful contribution all volunteers give to our community," said Steven Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Airport.