Last month TrustPower celebrated the 10th TrustPower National Community Awards, and we thought it was a fitting occasion to look back over the Supreme Winners from our previous National Awards and see what they are up to now.
C.A.C.T.U.S, Westland District
Supreme Winner, 2000 TrustPower National Community Awards
C.A.C.T.U.S were the first ever winners of the TrustPower National Community Awards. The group, also known as the Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support, travelled from their home town of Hokitika in Westland to tell the story of their disciplined physical training programmes that were developed to challenge youth to use both their bodies and their minds.
The group originally started out as a correctional training unit, used by youth aid to encourage teenagers back onto “the right side of the tracks”. However, the focus has shifted, and the course is now described as an 8 to 10 week program that will throw students in the deep end. It will build their physical strength and mental toughness and mould them into a solid team.
This group have 18 new recruits so far this term… so ten years on they are still going strong!
Otangarei Youth Sports Recreation Trust, Whangarei District
Supreme Winner, 2001 TrustPower National Community Awards
The 2001 TrustPower National Community Awards, held in Dunedin, the Otangarei Youth Sports Recreation Trust was recognised for its invaluable role in youth development. Now known as the Otangarei Trust, this group started out as a youth group, before expanding their services.
They now help other community groups develop and assist them with their administration needs - and with 18 voluntary organisations on their books they are still making a real impact!
The Otangarei Trust said they were overwhelmed by the calibre of recipients, and they were honoured to receive the Supreme Award. As they put it, volunteers don’t seek to be recognised, but it nice to have their hard work acknowledged now and then!
Te Puna Quarry ParK Society Inc, Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City
Supreme Winner, 2002 TrustPower National Community Awards
The 2002 Nationals, held in Rotorua, saw the Te Puna Quarry Park Society from the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga districts taking home the trophy.
The society was formed with the primary aim of converting a 32 hectare disused quarry into a public park.This group of hard-working volunteers created a beautiful area that is loved by locals and visitors alike. This is an ongoing work of art that is still being developed to this day.
The Te Puna Quarry Park Society is the only group that has received the Supreme Award, and has then won the opportunity to again attend the Nationals for their work on the same project.
Palmerston Gateway to Gold Charitable Trust, Waihemo District
Supreme Winner, 2003 TrustPower National Community Awards
Palmerston Gateway to Gold Charitable Trust from the Waihemo district, were named the Supreme Winners at the 2003 National Awards, held in Blenheim. This group busied themselves with the development of the Waitaki district, with activities ranging from the construction and maintenance of gardens and heritage trails, through to helping with the local youth centre.
The group has recently re-launched after a number of years in recession and is now working at supporting the community financially. The most recent example of this is the support they offered the newly opened museum in Palmerston, which is run by volunteers.
Friends of Dunstan Hospital, Central Otago District
Supreme Winner, 2004 TrustPower National Community Awards
Winning the National Community Awards was an incredible experience for the Friends of Dunstan Hospital, who represented Central Otago in 2004. The group’s chairperson describes it as an absolute delight to be recognised nationally, and believes it has really helped raise their profile in the community.
This team from Central Otago headed to Waipa to tell the story of a determined voluntary group with mission to improve conditions at Dunstan Hospital. However, somewhere along the way, this mission changed. After the government of the time was convinced not only to let Clutha retain a hospital, but to provide funding for a new one, this group took on the job fitting out the hospital at a cost of $2.4 million.
While this is now complete, this group’s job is never done as they continue to fundraise to ensure the hospital has the equipment needed for day to day running.
Kihikihi Waikato Eventing Inc, Waipa District
Supreme Winner, 2005 TrustPower National Community Awards
Kihikihi Waikato Eventing, winners of the 2005 TrustPower National Community Awards held in Greymouth, really struggled to see what all the fuss was about. In their words, they were “just going about their work”.
This group spent hours developing 55 acres of council land that was described as a liability. This land became the Kihikihi Domain, and is now a world-class horse eventing facility, and an asset rather than a liability.
Like most groups at the Nationals they “honestly” didn’t think they would win. They were so blown away by the incredible stories of what other groups had achieved. The group stress that they didn’t do this project for money or awards, and never expected any recognition of their efforts. As they put it, they were just a bunch of locals who did what needed to be done.
Now Kihikihi Domain has a reputation for being the best evening venue in New Zealand and in 2009 HSBC was named sponsor of the World Cup final and qualifying events. This meant that the Kihikihi qualifying event became an event worth $23,000 to the winner, with a total prize pool of $70,000 – which is a very good purse for New Zealand. And the venue is still completely run by volunteers!
Special Rigs for Special Kids, Dunedin City
Supreme Winner, 2006 TrustPower National Community Awards
Special Rigs for Special Kids’ presentation at the TrustPower National Community Awards really tore at the heart strings! Devised and run by local truckie Greg Inch, the event offers local children the chance to experience a truck convoy first hand, much to their delight. Many of the children are described as having special needs, ranging from disabilities through to tough upbringings. The chance to be a truckie for a day is a pretty special opportunity for these kids.
The event has now been running for 18 years, and involves around 150 volunteers, and over 200 trucks. They credit receiving the Supreme Award for the event’s growing popularity, and are now busy planning their 20th anniversary where they hope to park up at the new Rugby Stadium that is currently being built.
Palmerston North Street Van, Palmerston North City
Supreme Winner, 2007 TrustPower National Community Awards
Since being named the Supreme Winners of the 2007 National Awards, the Palmerston North Street Van volunteers have been busy doing what they do best – helping people, whatever the need, wherever possible.
The group runs a van on the streets of Palmerston North every Friday and Saturday night, handing out free hot drinks and food, offering people counselling and even a ride home. They also run a home for people with no home, and a Christian Centre where people can go to get help with their addictions.
One of the Street Van’s founding members describes the recognition from his peers as very humbling. He is not a man who is often lost for words, but when the results were announced he said he was speechless!
Wairoa Community Development Trust, Wairoa District
Supreme Winner, 2008 TrustPower National Community Awards
The Wairoa Community Development Trust describe winning the Supreme Award at the TrustPower National Community Awards as a brilliant recognition, not only for the Wairoa CACTUS programme and the volunteers behind it, but also a massive injection of pride into the youth of the Wairoa community and what they had achieved.
From a humble town, previously the subject of negative and misinformed publicity, the Wairoa CACTUS programme really showed New Zealand what could be done with a dedicated group of people who believed in their community and take steps to make it a better place.
A highlight of the weekend for them was being a part of a vibrant mass of people who all shared a common passion for their community. It really hammered home that behind every community, there are the reliable handfuls of volunteers, and combined, they are what make our country the place it is for many to enjoy.
Since winning the Award Wairoa CACTUS has completed two more CACTUS programmes with a new addition to the programme including a term two advanced course, which has a huge emphasis on leadership and mentoring.
Friends of Motueka Hospital Trust, Nelson City/Tasman District
Supreme Winner, 2009 TrustPower National Community Awards
Just last month the 2009 TrustPower National Community Awards were held in the Nelson Tasman region. It was the biggest Nationals event ever, with 25 voluntary groups and organisations from around the country telling the inspirational stories of what they have achieved through the dedication, passion and initiative of volunteers.
However by far the stand out was the host team – the Friends of Motueka Hospital Trust. The Trust was established after the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board decided to close the existing community hospital in Motueka. The people of Motueka joined forces to fight the closure and in the process ended up fundraising and building a new hospital to meet the community’s needs. The new 45 bed community hospital boasts state of the art equipment, an ensuite bathroom for all room and a therapeutic bath with its own lifting equipment.
Now the Hospital is open, the demand for the facility is so great that the Trust is fundraising to extend the hospital.
So who will be the 11th winner of the TrustPower National Community Awards?
All we can guarantee is that they are out there now, working behind the scenes for the benefit of their community. If you know of a group that deserves National recognition make sure you nomination them for the TrustPower Community Awards in your region. Just go to www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards to find out when nominations are open.
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