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Omagh Fund man praises the team

WILLIAM Brian Oliphant from Magherafelt receives an MBE for his services to the community and to the Omagh Fund.
He worked for Omagh District Council for 42 years and became chief environment officer before his retirement in September, 2001.
In the aftermath of the Omagh bomb, he was seconded to the Omagh Fund which raised £6.1 million and he continues his role with the fund in a voluntary capacity.
Mr Oliphant also serves as a member of Post Office consumer watchdog, Post Watch, sits on the board of Rainey Endowed Grammar School and is a member of the Northern Ireland Consumer Council.
He said: "It has been a pleasure to serve the public over a variety of issues in addition to my job with environmental services at Omagh District Council.
"Certainly, most of the work has been done in conjunction with teams in which many other people are active."
Lisburn man John McConnell is to receive a CBE for his contribution to public service.
During 1998-99, the civil servant was involved in the co-ordination of public service response to the Omagh bombing.
He spent four years up to 1982 working as development officer for Newry under the DoE and was involved in the town's regeneration. Mr McConnell retired as acting chief executive of the Planning Service in July.
For the past 25 years, he has worked with Newry Gateway Club as chairman and president and has helped secure new premises and raise substantial funds for the club.
Castlederg firefighter Ronald Robert John Coulter will also be travelling to London to receive an MBE.
Mr Coulter, who said he was "deeply honoured", has for 33 years served with the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade and took charge as Station Sub Officer in 1983.
He has attended serious incidents in Castlederg, Omagh, Strabane and Londonderry.
What he enjoys most about his job is the "comradeship in the Fire Brigade and training young recruits and helping the whole community".
"We're over the moon. It's nice to see a town like Castlederg in the outer parts of the Province getting recognition."
Londonderry woman Anne Veronica Heaney is to receive an MBE for her services to St John Ambulance in the city.
She has been working with the organisation for 27 years and is superintendent of Belmont Division in Londonderry.