Dunedin Stars 2005 Community Spirit award winner Eunice Sammes attended the awards presentation in support of all those contributing to the community.
Community Spirit nominees Louise Kilby (left) and Joy Henderson relax at the 2011 Dunedin Stars Awards.
Barry and Valda Gardiner relax before the start of the 2011 Dunedin
Stars Awards at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Mrs Gardiner was nominated for a Community Spirit Award at this year's event.
Sisters Tia (left) and Leonie Neha (centre) enjoy a moment with their mother Bella Morrell, who was nominated for a 2011 Dunedin Stars Community Spirit award.
Enjoying the atmosphere of this year's Dunedin Stars awards ceremony at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery are (from left) Christina McBratney, Community Spirit nominee Ann Taylor, and Kellie Purvis.
2011 Dunedin Stars Young Star award nominee Amy Martin and her mother Jenny Martin take in the atmosphere of the awards ceremony at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Council of Social Services Dunedin executive officer
Sue Russell (left) and Neighbourhood Support New Zealand Otago regional co-ordinator Sarah Hexamer were among the many in attendance at the 2011 Dunedin Stars Awards at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
2011 Dunedin Stars Merit Award winner Sharon Bain (left) is accompanied by her nominator, Kristie-Ann Wright, at last night's awards ceremony at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Dunedin North Labour MP David Clark and Dunedin City Council community development team leader Rebecca Williams turned out to the 2011 Dunedin Stars Awards at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
The Star Newspaper's editor Helen Speirs talks with Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and Star journalist Bruce Munro at the 2011 Dunedin Stars awards.
North Dunedin community constable Julian Real, who was nominated for a 2011 Community Spirit award, and his guest Cara Thomson, at the awards ceremony at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Community Spirit nominee Helen Simpson (left) and her daughter Joni Simpson enjoy the proceedings at the 2011 Dunedin Stars Awards.
Otago University School of Dentistry student Assil Russell (22), nominated for a Community Spirit award for her efforts to establish Icare, New Zealand's first medical and dental charity for children in Iraq, was accompanied by her mother Hanan Russell.
Dunedin Stars Community Spirit nominee Paula Holdaway (centre) is flanked by her neighbours Elaine Knopp (left) and Pam Miller, who nominated her for her ''endless support and valuable assistance on a daily basis''.
Dunedin couple Amanda and Geoff Burrow proudly accompanied their daughter Ashleigh Keen-Burrow (centre) to the 2011 Dunedin Stars Awards where the 15-year-old Otago Girls' High School pupil was awarded the Young Stars Supreme Award.
2010 Dunedin Stars Community Spirit Merit award winner Edna Wheeler (left), 2011 Community Spirit Award nominee Jude Newton (centre) and Jessica Burgess share a moment at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery during this year's award ceremony.
Caitlin Chew (left) and Tarsh Turner welcomed the opportunity to attend the 2011 Dunedin Stars Awards at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Ms Turner was nominated for a Community Spirit award by Ms Chew.
At last night's 2011 Dunedin Stars Awards at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery are (from left) Otago Daily Times operations director Ray Clarkson, National Party list MP Michael Woodhouse, and Allied Press commercial manager Matthew Holdridge.
Dunedin woman Liz Hewitt (left) joined her friend Joanne Smith, who was nominated for a Community Spirit award, at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
2011 Dunedin Stars Community Spirit award nominee Beljinder Boparai (left) awaits the announcement of the winners at the award ceremony with Volunteering Otago member Graham Patterson.
Michela Carrington (left), of the Malcam Trust, and Laura Madden, from the Inspiring Stories Trust, show their support for Dunedin's community of volunteers at the Dunedin Stars Awards.
Having a laugh at last night's Dunedin Stars Awards are (from left) Suzanne Mattingly, Yvonne Mitchell, and Volunteering Otago manager Anna Clere.
The Star editor Helen Speirs.
Taieri College pupil Nathan Burns (17), who won a Young Stars Merit award at the 2011 Dunedin Stars Awards at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, was joined on the evening by his parents, Donna and Lindsay Burns.
Dunedin's unsung heroes stepped into the limelight last night as The Star hosted its seventh annual Dunedin Stars awards event celebrating the achievements of the city's volunteers. Photos by Gregor Richardson.