The annual opportunity for Dunedin residents to recognise the dedication of their local voluntary groups has hit town - with entries for the TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards opening today (16 January).

The Awards, which are run in conjunction with the Dunedin City Council, are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make Dunedin a better place to live.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation for the TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards - voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

Since the TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards began in 2001, more than $58,000 has been given away to deserving voluntary groups and organisations, this year a further $5,250 is up for grabs.

Last year 67 groups were entered for the TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards, but TrustPower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville believes there are many more voluntary groups out there who deserve recognition

"Dunedin is a community-minded city that has an impressive volunteering culture. I'm looking forward to learning about what these volunteers have been achieving, and hope to see the community come on board and recognise these unsung heroes.

Volunteers in the Dunedin region dedicate thousands of hours to the community, and they are often not recognised for the invaluable work they do," said Ms Somerville.

"Entering a group for the TrustPower Community Awards will take just two minutes of your time, but will be an enormous boost for the group you are recognising," she said.

Entry Forms for the TrustPower Community Awards are available from the Council offices or service centres or can be downloaded from <a href="http://www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards">www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards</a>. Entry Forms can also be received by calling TrustPower Community Relations on 0800 87 11 11.

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 receive $500, runners-up receive $250 and the Supreme Winner will take home $1,500 and an all-expenses paid trip to the 2011 TrustPower National Community Awards.

Entries close on Friday 16 March.