Nominations are now open for the Thames-Coromandel District Council's biannual Community Service Awards.

This is your chance to celebrate those unsung heroes who work quietly in the background to make their communities better places to live, often with little recognition and no pay.

Nominations are now open for the Thames-Coromandel District Council's biannual Community Service Awards. Photo: File

'At considerable personal expense and sacrifice, these individuals make substantial efforts toward achieving the ambitions and goals of their community,” says council.

'Their commitment, generosity and dedication are unquestionable and the Community Service Awards are a way of giving some well-deserved recognition to these unsung heroes.”

Nominations are now open and close Friday, April 14.

2014 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS:

JANE ‘NAN' POUTU

Jane ‘Nan' Poutu was acknowledged for her 47 years of volunteer work with many different agencies including Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki, Stepping Out Hauraki, Hauraki Health Link and People Relying On People.Photo: TCDC

Jane ‘Nan' Poutu was nominated by Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel whanau and supported by CAPS Hauraki.

Having passed away in June 2014, Jane's award was presented posthumously and accepted on her behalf by her whānau.

Along with her volunteer work, Jane also worked with Child Abuse Prevention (CAPS) Hauraki on its Right 2B Safe campaign, which she fronted with the poster ‘Nannies can teach mokopuna what's not ok and encourage them to talk'.

A true asset to the community, Jane is remembered for her work with whānau and the unconditional love she showed to everyone she met, whether supporting grieving people after losing a loved one or her work in palliative care.

GRAEME WOOD

Graeme Wood (left) was recognised for his involvement with the Thames Community Patrol, which he helped found a decade ago. Photo: TCDC

Graeme was nominated for the award by the Thames Community Patrol and Victim Support.

He actively patrols Thames at least three times a month at night and works closely with police, often serving as a nominated person for juvenile interviews where he acts as an advocate for the suspected offender.

Graeme is also a Victim Support counsellor which sees him engaged by Police when there are victims of crime, accidents or sudden death.

This work has seen him working days and nights dealing with traumatic events in which he has to help support another person's grief or misfortune.

STEVE HART

Steve Hart (left) is one of the founding members of the Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue organisation and has played a critical role in the development of a highly effective search and rescue team.Photo: TCDC

Steve Hart was nominated by Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue.

He has been actively involved as a searcher, search manager and held the chairman's position for 10 years now.

In this work he's made significant contributions to the Coromandel community and the welfare and lives of many individuals and their families.

Steve is also an honorary Fisheries Officer and a supporter of Mercury Bay Forest & Bird.

For more information including criteria for nominating people visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Community Service Awards webpage