The efforts of volunteers in Rodney District will soon be formally recognised by Rodney District Council through a Community Service Awards scheme.
Council voted at its December meeting to introduce Community Service Awards which will publicly recognise the efforts of volunteers and it is hoped, encourage more people to volunteer their time to help the community.
Nominations for these awards will be open in early 2009 and will close on 20 March 2009. Nominees need to have served as a volunteer for an organisation operating within Rodney District. The nomination must be supported by two individuals, who are either executives of an organisation, or Rodney residents.
Nominations may be made in any of the following award categories:
Health and welfare
Social and community
Elderly services
Youth services
Education
Arts and culture
Sports and leisure
Environment
Other
Up to ten awards will be granted and a certificate and commemorative pin will be gifted to winners of awards. The successful recipients will be announced at a ceremony in May 2009.
The assessment panel for the awards will have representation from each of the four wards in the District. Councillors Dave Parker, Gaye Harding, Ross Craig, Greville Walker and Deputy Mayor John Kirikiri have been appointed to the panel.