The 2010 Regional Achievement and Community Awards will be officially launched across regional Victoria. The search is on for individuals and group high achievers, towns and communities that are making a difference to their communities through their hard work, dedication and innovation.

A free morning tea will be served at 10.30am followed by the official launch at 10.45am concluding at 11.30am. Everyone is welcome. Contact the Awards office on 03 9870 0622 or email vic@awardsaustralia.com.

All winners will be presented with a trophy and a prize in the relevant category

• Regional Development Victoria Business Achievement Award – The winner will receive a television airtime package comprising 20 x 30 second airtime commercials on the Prime Network
  (* conditions apply).
  
  
• Regional Development Victoria Trade and Career Achievement Award – The winner will receive a television airtime package comprising 20 x 30 second airtime commercials on the Prime Network
  (* conditions apply).
  
  
• Parks Victoria Regional Achiever Award – The winner will receive a $2,000 AwardSaver Account from the Commonwealth Bank.
  
  
• Parks Victoria Environment and Sustainability Award – The winner will receive a $2,000 AwardSaver Account from the Commonwealth Bank.
  
  
• Bartercard Local Hero Award – The winner will receive a $2,000 AwardSaver Account from the Commonwealth Bank.
  
  
• RACV free2go Youth Community Involvement Award – The winner will receive a $2,000 AwardSaver Account from the Commonwealth Bank.
  
  
• Kleenheat Gas Community of the Year Award ­(population under 5,000)
  ­ The winners will receive a $2,000 AwardSaver Account from the Commonwealth Bank.
  
  
• Kleenheat Gas Community of the Year Award –(population over 5,000)
  – The winners will receive a $2,000 AwardSaver Account from the Commonwealth Bank.
  
  
• All nominees and finalists will receive a letter of congratulations and a certificate of encouragement for their nomination.
  
  
• All cash prizes will be AwardSaver accounts presented in Commonwealth Bank envelopes
  

*Bonus airtime commercial spots include local exposure for the winner in the Regional Development Victoria Business Achievement and Trade and Career Achievement m section.

AWARDS PRESENTATION

The finalists and winners of the Regional Achievement and Community Awards for Victoria will be announced at a special gala awards presentation dinner to be held at the Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre. This will take place on Saturday 16th October 2010.

The presentation dinner will be a formal event attended by over 400 people including VIP guests.

	Regional Development Victoria Business Achievement Award In regional rural areas successful businesses are making important economic contributions. Creative business and commercial ventures provide opportunities for regional growth, productivity, leadership, training and employment. Businesses are continuing to realise their corporate vision and mission in areas such as product development, manufacturing and construction, agriculture, primary industry, e-commerce, wholesaling, exporting, retailing, trades and other professional services. The Business Achievement Award will acknowledge and highlight the continued success and achievements of businesses.
	Regional Development Victoria Trade and Career Achievement Award Regional Victorian’s are pursuing their trade or career with passion and vitality. Whether it is climbing the corporate ladder, progressing from apprentice to workshop manager, or starting their own small business employing fellow Victorian’s, they are proving that career success can start anywhere. The Trade & Career Achievement Award promotes a community focus, active leadership, a desire for self-improvement, and reward those who make their own opportunities a success.
	Parks Victoria Regional Achiever Award The Regional Achiever Award applauds our unsung heroes and high achievers, acknowledging excellence in a chosen profession or field of endeavour. It might be sport, art, culture, regional initiative, primary industry, agriculture, academia or it could be an act of bravery that deserves recognition. This Award presents an opportunity for our whole community to gain inspiration from their dedication, commitment, leadership or act of heroism. The Regional Achiever Award will pay tribute to their contribution to the community.
	Parks Victoria Environment and Sustainability Award The Environment and Sustainability Award acknowledges individuals, groups and organisations that show a proven passion and dedication to reducing environmental impacts in regional and rural areas. By implementing environmental, land care and sustainability practices on their properties or within the local community, land owners and the broader community have shown increased commitment to raising awareness, knowledge and understanding of environmental issues, which will in turn help to protect the planet’s vital resources. This Award will recognise individuals, groups and organisations that aim to improve our patterns of consumption and environmental behaviour. They are environmentally conscious and understand that future generations will be dependant on the environment, and their actions will encourage sustainable and responsible development in the future.
	Bartercard Local Hero Award The Local Hero Award applauds our unsung heroes, acknowledging those people who are passionate in dedicating their lives for the needs of others. When hard times hit or disaster strikes such as the recent Victorian bushfires, our local heroes and volunteers are the first to lend much needed support and comfort. There are many selfless men and women, young and old who make a difference by giving their much needed encouragement, guidance and time. Our local heroes and volunteers offer friendship, hope and inspiration to those who need it. Whether it be helping the underprivileged, running neighbourhood houses, supporting fire fighters and emergency services, mentoring, fundraising, helping the elderly or assisting community and service groups.. The list is endless. This award is an opportunity for our whole community to gain inspiration from others through their achievements, demonstrated leadership and outstanding service to the local community. This award provides the opportunity to give the accolades not sought but richly deserved.
	RACV free2go Youth Community Involvement Award Young People are a fantastic source of skills, knowledge, experience, energy and ideas in a community. The Youth Community Involvement Award will recognise young people, groups working with and for young people and youth activities that actively encourage and involve young people in planning, empowering, organising and decision making activities in their community. It may be developing and running community events, creating stronger relationships between young people and the broader community, building skills and leadership or working with other young people on issues affecting young people and communities.
	Kleenheat Gas Community of the Year Award • Population Under 5,000 The Community of the Year Award provides projects, groups, cities, towns or local government initiatives with an opportunity to gain recognition for their achievements and contributions to their community. These community groups share a strong sense of community spirit, which plays a vital role in enhancing the social and economic prosperity of their region. It is important to recognise and encourage these groups and organisations as their efforts help to make regional communities stronger, more vibrant places to live and help to promote a true community spirit for future generations to come.
	Kleenheat Gas Community of the Year Award • Population Over 5,000 The Community of the Year Award provides projects, groups, cities, towns or local government initiatives with an opportunity to gain recognition for their achievements and contributions to their community. These community groups share a strong sense of community spirit, which plays a vital role in enhancing the social and economic prosperity of their region. It is important to recognise and encourage these groups and organisations as their efforts help to make regional communities stronger, more vibrant places to live and help to promote a true community spirit for future generations to come.