Nominations open for Civic and Community Awards 2010

Nominations opened this week for the Kāpiti Coast Civic Awards 2010 and for the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards 2010.
“Our civic awards and the community awards are one way we can acknowledge the great voluntary efforts put in by people in our community,” Mayor Jenny Rowan said.
In addition, Mayor Rowan will also select a special individual to receive a Mayoral Award for 2010. Last year there were three recipients, potter Mirek Smisek, centenarian Joyce Maclean and author and poet, the late Jacqui Baxter.
The Civic Awards have a focus on individuals who have made contributions over the years to the Kāpiti Coast.
Civic Award nominees may be any person who has carried out meritorious voluntary service for the benefit of the District; any resident who has made a significant contribution to the welfare of others within New Zealand or overseas. Civic Award winners receive a plaque and citation.
The Community Awards are sponsored by Wellington International Airport Limited, in partnership with The Community Trust of Wellington, and the five local councils. They are aimed at recognising the work carried out by community groups in the wider Wellington region. The focus of the Awards is to reward the valuable contribution made by volunteers.
“Not only do the Community Awards provide recognition but there’s the opportunity for groups to receive some additional funding if they are chosen as the winners in their category,” Jenny Rowan said.
Those eligible include any not-for-profit group or organisation working in the interests of the community. An individual may nominate an organisation of which they are a member. The Awards are designed to recognise past achievements and they do not exclude community groups who have used professionals to support the delivery of services undertaken by volunteers.
The five categories include heritage and environment, health and wellbeing, arts and culture, sport and leisure and education and child/youth development.
The category winners in each council area receive $500 and a framed certificate. Category winners then go on to a regional competition and may receive a further $500. These Awards will be announced and presented at the Wellington Airport function.
Also at this Awards’ function the five overall winners selected at the council judging will make short presentations about their organisations. A judging panel will select a supreme winner from these presentations. The supreme winner will receive $1000, a framed certificate, and a trophy that is held for one year.
Civic Award nomination forms and Community Award nomination forms are available from the Council website (www.kapiticoast.govt.nz) or from Council offices and libraries.
Nominations for Civic Awards and Community Awards in Kāpiti close on July 31 and the announcement of the recipients and the presentations will be held at Paraparaumu Golf Club on 25 August.