Countdown to celebration of community groups

Winners of 2011 TrustPower Far North Community Awards will be announced on
Monday week.

More than 60 groups were nominated for the awards which are the biggest
celebration of voluntary groups in the Far North.

Judges have decided who the five category winners are and will present the groups
with their awards and name the supreme winner at an award evening hosted by the
Bay of Islands Vintage Railway on August 1.

People attending the awards at the Kawakawa Railway Station are invited to drinks
and nibbles at 5:30pm.

The awards ceremony will begin at 6pm and feature inspiring stories about what
volunteers are achieving in their communities.

Kaitaia residents will be able to catch a free bus from the council’s Redan Road
offices at 4:30pm, returning at about 8pm.

Phone Lau’rell Pratt at the council on 401 5211 or email her at
Laurell.Pratt@fndc.govt.nz to reserve a seat on the bus.

2011 TrustPower Far North Community Awards – Category Nominees

Heritage and Environment

Kerikeri Lions Club, Moturoa Island, Puketi Forest Trust, Radar Hill Landcare
Group, Bushland Trust, Gabriel Club Kawakawa, Heritage Kaikohe, Waimate North
Landcare Trust, Friends of Taumarumaru.

Health and Wellbeing

Bay of Islands Riding for the Disabled, Kawakawa Baptist Church, Kerikeri
Retirement Village Volunteers, Kerikeri/Kaeo Food Bank, Midway in Northland
Day Services Trust, Community Business and Environment Centre (CBEC), He
Korowai Trust, Kaitaia Hospital Volunteers, Kaitaia Riding for the Disabled, Saint
Saviours Church Feed My Lambs, AgeWell Kaikohe, Waimate Taumarere Anglican
Opportunity Shop.

Arts and Culture

The Turner Centre, Kaikohe A P & H Association, Russell Birdman Charitable Trust,
Kaikohe Community Arts Council.

Sports and Leisure

Far North Recreational Hunting and Fishing Club, Bay of Islands Marine Radio
Association, Coastguard Whangaroa, Kerikeri Rotary Club, Russell Sports Club,
Special Olympics Bay of Islands.

Educational and Child Youth Development

Doubtless Bay Playgroup, Hokianga Treks 4 Kids, Lindvart Park Management
Committee, Kaikohe Lions Club, The Mill Gym, Bay of Islands Districts SPCA,
Doubtless Bay Scout and Guide Group, Life Education Trust.

Community Spirit Award

Tim Bandi (Abundant Life School), Natasha Murray (Okaihau College), Harry Muunu
(Kerikeri High School), Jadin Lesley (Taipa Area School).