Incubating a national community award

The incubators are in Queenstown. Photo: Supplied.

The Incubator will join the country's best and brightest voluntary groups and organisations at the Trustpower National Community Awards taking place in the Queenstown Lakes region this weekend until April 15, 2018.

The group is representing Tauranga at the prestigious awards – an honour they won after being named Supreme Winner at the Trustpower Tauranga Community Awards last year.

Joining them will be representatives from 24 other voluntary groups or organisations from around the country who were named Supreme Winner at their respective regional Trustpower Community Awards.

At the Trustpower National Awards, The Incubator will give an eight-minute presentation sharing their story, their achievements, and why they deserve the title of the Trustpower National Community Awards Supreme Winner. The group will be judged on their presentation, along with a 1,000-word summary.

Some of the guest judges this year include CEO of Volunteering New Zealand, Scott Miller, TVNZ Good Sorts creator and presenter, Hadyn Jones, and previous Supreme Winner, Janice Lee from Koha Kai.

The presentations will take place on today at the Queenstown Memorial Centre. The Winner, Runner-Up and recipient of the Whetū Mātaiata Award (and up-and-coming group) will be announced at an Awards dinner that evening at the Kawarau Bungy Centre.

Groups will also have the opportunity to network, share ideas, and take in some of the scenery from around the beautiful Queenstown Lakes District.

Trustpower Community and Communications Advisor Abbie Siely says the group will bring something fresh to the nationwide gathering.

'The Incubator's approach to growing arts and culture in Tauranga, paired with its collaborations with welfare-focused community groups, gives the group a really unique story to share. I'm excited to watch them present.

'The Incubator has been working tirelessly to develop an interactive creative culture in the Bay of Plenty, contributing to positive social outcomes through the development of arts infrastructure. More than 150 volunteers are committed to drawing the community together through the universal language of creativity. They facilitate a vibrant destination for creative activity, provide accessible education and stimulating inclusive events, and grow social collaboration.

'We're looking forward to treating the group's founding members to a weekend away where they can celebrate their successes and return invigorated with new ideas for our community,” says Miss Siely.

The Trustpower National Community Awards Supreme Winner will take home a custom-made trophy by local Glenorchy artist, Dan Kelly, $4,000 in prize money, a framed certificate, and a $1,000 consultancy voucher from one of New Zealand's leading training providers for the community sector, Exult. The Runner Up will receive $2,500 in prize money, a $500 Exult voucher and a framed certificate. The Whetū Mātaiata Award recipient receives a framed certificate and a consultancy service package from award sponsor, Exult.

Simone Anderson and Tanya Trass will represent the group, together with Mayor Greg Brownless and Li-Jong Liao.

Meanwhile, entries are now being taken for the 2018 Trustpower Community Awards. Anyone can enter a group and all voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations are eligible. Enter online at trustpower.co.nz/communityawards. Entries close 31 May.

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