Entries are being called for the Trustpower Tauranga Community Awards and Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards, the yearly opportunity for residents to recognise the dedication of voluntary groups.

The awards are open to all volunteer groups and organisations working to make their community a better place to live.

BOPDHB volunteer co-ordinator Lesley Grant (right) receives the Health and Wellbeing category award from Trustpower chief executive Vince Hawksworth (left) and Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby (centre) at last year's awards.

Anyone can enter a voluntary group or organisation for the Trustpower Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

'Voluntary groups are a formidable force of good and everyday members benefit from their hard work,” says Trustpower Community Relations Representative Emily Beaton.

'From the teams that work behind the scenes at community events to the supportive coaches on the side-lines to the tireless fundraising teams; volunteers are in every corner of this region but often they are not recognised for the invaluable work they do.”

Volunteers are central to hundreds of community group's right across the Tauranga region, says Mayor of Tauranga Stuart Crosby.

'It's incredible just how much volunteers contribute to this community and how better off we are for their efforts. From running social programmes to helping people keep fit to enhancing our heritage – volunteers are everywhere,” says Stuart.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson says 'with the number of volunteers in the region we have a lot to be grateful for”.

'It's important we do say ‘thanks' to those who do so much for the community, and the reality is we are all affected by volunteers in some way,” says Ross.

One of the best ways of demonstrating the importance of volunteering is to ensure volunteers' contributions are recognised, valued and accounted for, says Emily.

'Now you have the chance to say ‘thank you' to these volunteers who work hard to improve the community – just by filling out an entry form. It takes just a few minutes of your time to enter a group but it will make a real difference to the volunteers you are recognising.”

Entries for the 2016 Trustpower Community Awards close 5pm on Friday, July 1. Entry Forms are available from Council offices or service centres or can be completed online.

Entry Forms can also be received by calling Emily Beaton on 0800 87 11 11 extension 4310.

The awards cover five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Education and Child/Youth Development.

Category winners receive $500, runners-up receive $250 and the Supreme Winner will take home $1500 and an all-expenses paid trip for two representatives to the 2016 Trustpower National Community Awards.

Last year's Tauranga Supreme Winner was Tauranga House of Science and in the Western Bay of Plenty it was the Athenree Homestead Trust.