They claim to be grumpy and old but a group of Whanganui men will soon take centre stage in Queenstown with other leading voluntary organisations from around New Zealand.
Grumpy Old Men Enterprises (GOME) Trust will represent Whanganui at the Trustpower National Community Awards on April 13-15. The group won the supreme award at the Trustpower Whanganui District Community Awards last year.
"Rather than allowing expired and defunct whiteware, TVs and household appliances to go into the garbage, the GOME Trust breaks them down into their component parts and sells them to various scrap merchants," Trustpower community and communications adviser Alice Boyd said.
"The money they raise is then donated back to community groups and schools.
"The GOME Trust was formed on July 1, 2015 by 10 Grumpy Old Men (self-described) with an average age of 73. They have 12 regular volunteers and, although they don't have prescribed hours, there is usually somebody breaking down donations every day. It's pretty remarkable stuff and we can't wait to hear more of their story."
GOME Trust, represented by Jim O'Neill and Richard Motram, will compete with 24 other voluntary groups and organisations for the national title. Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall and district councillor Charlie Anderson will also attend.
