Central Otago volunteers are taking the spotlight in an annual award ceremony aimed at recognising the efforts made by residents throughout Otago.
Volunteering Otago will hold its second annual awards evening at the Globe Theatre in Dunedin tonight, with about 60 individual volunteers and organisations nominated.
Volunteering Otago manager Susie Yeats said this year's nominations from the Maniototo in particular had "taken on a whole life of their own".
Of the 20 nominated individuals from Central Otago, 16 lived in the Maniototo.
Three from Alexandra and one Cromwell resident were also nominated, as well as Alexandra-based organisation Central Otago Women's Support Link.
Those nominated are Ranfurly residents Dennis Flockton, Joyce Greer, Ewan Mason, Heather Kinley, Andrew Weir, William Carson, and Helen Cromb.
They are joined by Stephen Cormack (Gimmerburn), Judith and Stewart Hawkins (Waipiata), David Jopp (Kokonga), and Kyeburn residents Patricia Hayes, John "Jock" Scott, and Andrew Scott.
Gimmerburn residents Grant Williams and Anthony Clarke, Cromwell resident Gordon McKay, and Alexandra residents Susan Mort, Brian Greaves, and Daphne Attfield were also nominated.
One Wanaka individual was nominated and the rest were based in and around Dunedin.
Ms Yeats said Volunteering Otago sent letters and "dob-in" forms across Otago, and the word soon spread in the Maniototo.
At the inaugural awards in Dunedin last year, focus was on recognition for all volunteers as opposed to a competition-style award ceremony.
For that reason, a panel of judges will again choose 10 nominated people or organisations to "spotlight" on the evening, Ms Yeats said.
"It's not about saying one person is the best, so we don't have first second or third," Ms Yeats said.
"Spotlight is put on 10 who are exceptional, and we give out certificates."
A short film had been made about those spotlighted, and would play at the awards once the 10 had been announced.
