Wildlife trust, shuttle service win awards

Shirley Dunick (left), of the St John Central Otago Shuttle, and Jeannie Galavazi, of the Wakatipu Wildlife Trust, display the certificates and trophies presented to them at the Trustpower Community Awards at the Alexandra Memorial Hall last night. Photo: Supplied

Voluntary groups and young people from Queenstown and Central Otago attended the awards function at the Alexandra Memorial Hall.

Bella Fraser, of Queenstown, and Hannah Heyward, of Central Otago, were named as winners of Youth Community Spirit awards.

Trustpower spokeswoman Ashleigh Cleaver said the Wakatipu Wildlife Trust was a top vote because of the ''huge impact'' its volunteers were making on the natural environment.

More than 160 volunteers were servicing and maintaining more than 650 traps in backyards, by public walking tracks and in high-altitude nature reserves.

''Due to this group's amazing work, native wild and birdlife has been saved from more than 1300 predators.''

The two groups each received $2000 and will represent Queenstown and Central Otago respectively at the 2018 Trustpower National Community Awards, which will be held in Tauranga next March.

Last night's function was the first time a joint awards event has been held for Queenstown and Central Otago. The venue's location will alternate between the two regions each year.