Almost 100 entries have been received for the combined TrustPower Waitaki district community awards.
Entries closed last week after TrustPower decided to combine the previously separate Oamaru and Waihemo awards to cover the whole Waitaki district.
After processing, 98 entries were confirmed for the awards, a number which impressed Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton.
The number reflected the quality of volunteers in district, and the awards were a chance to give them due recognition and support, he said.
TrustPower community relations representative Jess Somerville was equally thrilled with the number and variety of voluntary groups entered.
The 98 entries represented 92 voluntary groups and thousands of volunteers contributing untold hours to improving the community, she said.
The awards cover five categories - heritage and environment, health and wellbeing, arts and culture, sport and leisure, and educational and child-youth development.
Category winners will receive $500, runners-up $250 and the supreme winner $1500 and an all-expenses paid trip to the 2011 TrustPower national community awards.
There will also be a special Waihemo award of $500, to recognise the birthplace of the awards in the district.
Winners will be announced at a function at the Oamaru Opera House on Monday, June 11.
The 2012 TrustPower National Community Awards will be announced in the Bay of Islands in March next year.
