The Murupara Youth Leadership Projects Team sprung from a few passionate people who wanted to see their whanua reconnecting with their community. From there the group is reaching new heights and is providing an incredible base for the young people of Murupara to reconnect with the area and take part in smoke free and drug free activities.
The Murupara Youth Leadership Projects Team has won the Supreme Award at the fourth annual Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards.
The Awards were announced and presented tonight (Monday 3 August) at a function at the Whakatane Little Theatre.
For winning the Supreme Award, the Murupara Youth Leadership Projects Team received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1,500 prize money. The Murupara Youth Leadership Projects Team now has the opportunity to represent the district at the 2015 Trustpower National Community Awards, which are being held in Dunedin in March 2016.
In total, Trustpower has presented over $5,000 to various community groups through tonight’s Awards.
Trustpower Community Relations Representative Kathlene Cook says it is a pleasure to acknowledge such an incredible voluntary group, really sparking some life into their small community.
“The Murupara Youth Leadership Projects Team sprung from a few passionate people who wanted to see their whanua reconnecting with their community. From there the group is reaching new heights and is providing an incredible base for the young people of Murupara to reconnect with the area and take part in smoke free and drug free activities.
The group are promoting leadership, training their unemployed to become youth workers, and increasing the momentum in the small Murupara community. The chance to educate and develop it’s people has become the focus from this hard-working group, taking the opportunity to grow, says Kathlene”
A whopping 76 entries were received in this year’s Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards.
“The Whakatāne District is home to a large number of voluntary and community based groups and organisations who work hard to make the Whakatāne District a great place to live. The Trustpower Community Awards highlight and celebrate the huge contribution of these voluntary groups and thanks to the people who entered these groups, we are able to host the region’s biggest celebration for voluntary groups that highlights their accomplishments, successes and services that these groups provide to their community,” says Kathlene.
Other recipients at tonight’s Trustpower Whakatāne District Community Awards were:
Heritage and environment
Runner Up: Whakatane Kopeopeo Lions
Winner: Nukuhou Saltmarsh Care Group
Health and Wellbeing
Commendation: Jezreel Womens’ Support Home
Runner Up: Whakatane SPCA
Winner: The Clothing Project
Arts and Culture
Runner Up: Arts Whakatane
Winner: Theatre Whakatane
Sports & Leisure
Runner Up: Whakatane Volunteer Coastguard Assn Inc
Winner: Bay of plenty Motorcycle Club Inc
Education & Child Youth Development
Runner Up: Whakatane High School Interact Club
Winner: Eastern Bay of Plenty Life education Trust
Supreme Winner: Murupara Youth Leadership Projects team
Youth Community Spirit
Winner: Anna Glibbery, Whakatane High School
Finalist: Bryce Coulter, Trident High School
Finalist: Moutoka Vercoe, Edgecumbe College