Literacy North Otago won the supreme award in the TrustPower Oamaru community awards, presented last night at a ceremony at the Waitaki Boys' High School Hall of Memories.
The organisation will go on to represent the area in the 2011 national awards in Ashburton in March next year.
Last night, North Otago groups received prizes totalling $5250 in cash and $300 in vouchers.
TrustPower community relations representative Melanie Tavendale said Literacy North Otago was a group becoming increasingly necessary in today's environment.
"They run a huge number of initiatives aimed at helping both adults and children that are struggling with their literacy skills," she said.
The group had undertaken 244 projects in the past 12 months alone, an increase of 50% on the previous year.
Waitaki Boys' High School pupil Scott Godsall was named winner of the 2011 TrustPower youth community spirit award, run in conjunction with the community awards to recognise secondary school pupils' services to the school and community.
Mrs Tavendale said Scott was a talented all-rounder who gave an incredible amount back to his school and community as head prefect, head of Forrester House, a volunteer squash coach, a member of the Sadd (Students Against Drunk Driving) committee and an enthusiastic member of the Waitaki Combined Schools Social Committee.
Other winners were. -
Heritage and environment: Herbert Heritage Society; runner-up, Oamaru Steam and Rail Restoration Society.
Health and wellbeing: Oamaru Volunteer Fire Brigade; runner-up, Lions Club of Oamaru North Otago; commendation, Age Concern Waitaki.
Arts and culture: Oamaru Operatic and Musical Society; runner-up, Waitaki District Schools Pipe Band; commendation, 45 South TV Inc.
Sport and leisure: North Otago Young Farmers Club; runner-up, Special Olympics North Otago.
Education and child-youth development: Waitaki Community Gardens; runner-up, Save the Children Waitaki; commendation, Air Training Corps Oamaru.
