The Palmerston Lions Club won the supreme award at the TrustPower Waihemo Community Awards last night.
The club received a framed certificate, trophy and $1500 prize money and will represent the district at the 2011 TrustPower National Community Awards, which are being held in the Ashburton district in March.
In total, TrustPower gave more than $5000 to various community groups at the awards, which were held at the Waihemo Lodge, Palmerston.
TrustPower community relations representative Jess Somerville said the Palmerston Lions Club played a vital support role through its contribution to the community.
The group organised events such as Kelly's Canter and the summer golf tournament and volunteers handled everything from organising sponsors and security through to ticketing and catering.
Since its inception in 1968 the club had raised more than $1 million for community projects, with the Palmerston and District Health Trust Foundation and Palmerston Primary School most recently benefiting from its efforts.
Competition for this year's TrustPower Waihemo Community Awards was strong, with 21 groups nominated.
Other winners at the awards were. -
Heritage and environment: Waihemo Wastebusters and Resource Recovery, 1; Hampden Community Energy Society, 2.
Health and wellbeing: Palmerston Senior Club, 1; Hampden Senior Citizens Club, 2.
Arts and culture: East Otago Woodturners, 1; Puketapu Radio, 2.
Sport and leisure: East Otago District Lions, 1; Hampden Skyline Organising Group and Puketapu Linedancers, 2 equal.
Education and child/youth development: Royal New Zealand Plunket Society East Otago Branch, 1; Palmerston Guides and Palmerston Toy Library, 2 equal.
