FOCUS AWARDS FOR PEOPLE WHO PUT SPIRIT INTO THE COMMUNITY
FOCUS awards for people who put spirit into the community
FOCUS, the Urban Community Network, celebrated a very successful Community Awards night at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh recently.
Ms. Rozella Kelly, chairperson of the organisation, expressed her delight at seeing so many present giving support and acknowledging and honouring the many volunteers who contribute to the community each day.
She said: "The awards night had been organised to do just that and to acknowledge all volunteers in the community sector within the Omagh Town area. All of those nominated for the various awards tonight have all demonstrated their commitment to improving their communities and organisations."
Ms. Kelly continued: "Whilst we have winners in every category, everybody nominated should feel justifiably proud of their achievements and that we all recognise their valuable contribution to the local community. As well as this, it is an opportunity for our local groups to celebrate another successful year, and enjoy themselves as only the community sector can."
Ms. Kelly also paid tribute to all members present with their partners, families and friends, all of whom she said "helped create a special team, without whom Focus could certainly not flourish and grow."
She also paid tribute to the organisation's funders and groups with whom they work closely and who were also present.
"Their support is vital for the ongoing existence and development of Focus as well as ensuring that we can hold social functions like Milly's Ball. We have worked closely with our friends from the I.N.F. who have assisted us with many functions for Focus and our member groups, including co-hosting with us a party for the visiting Children of Chernobyl," she added.
The awards were as follows: Eager Enterpriser of the Community: first prize, INF; commended, Charlie Hamilton.
Unsung Hero of the Community: First, Barry Benson; commended, Johnny McLaughlin, Geraldine Keys, Rodney Monteith. Seamus Reid, Iris Moffat Scott.
Wheeler and Dealer of the Community: First, Patricia Dunne; Commended, Nora Devlin, Lorna Byrne, Geraldine Keys, Vida Lake.'
Heart Beat of the Community: First prize, Geraldine Keys; commended. Pauline McSorley. Shaun Cassidy.
Jovial Joker of the Community: First prize, Sharon McCusker; commended Lisa McGonigle, Edna Seaman.
Utopian Uniter of the Community: First prize. Rose McCrystal; Ciaran McClean, Rustim Jamshidi.
Wise Owl of the Community: First prize, Kenny Jordan; commended Joanna Gallagher, Rita McGaghan, P. J. McClean.
Open Arms of the Community: First prize (joint), Nichola McSorley and Michelle Owens; commended Shaun Cassidy, Geoffrey Laird, Jacqueline Jones. The Above and Beyond the Call of Duty award went to Mr. John McKinney, and was collected by his son, Patrick.
Geraldine Keys, development officer for Focus said: "Focus felt that this award should go to our ex-chief executive of the Omagh District Council."
"He has been good to our communities throughout the years. We would like to acknowledge and commend him for the way in which he has shone a light on Omagh in a very positive and productive way. especially after the Omagh bomb," she said.
"The members remember meeting him within the first hour of the bomb and already his calming professionalism was showing us a direction in dealing with an atrocity, so as to limit the hurt and damage for all connected," Geraldine said.
She concluded: "This award is not only for the work after the bomb but also for his dedication. commitment and passion for Omagh, which we know we will all benefit. We wish him well in his new post."
The director European Programme at the Community Relations Council, Mr. Mark Adair said: "Building a shared, inclusive and peaceful society is everyone's responsibility.
Community Relations Week demonstrates how different people and organisations are playing their part in this work."
"The range of activities which have been organised makes an encouraging statement and the Community Relations Council is pleased to offer its support to all those involved through its European and Core Funding Programmes," he said.
As it was Community Relations Week from February 1 to February 9, the personality of the year award was dedicated to someone who has shown all the qualities of an ambassador for community relations work.
The nominations were: Kathleen McNamee, Omagh Churches Forum; Ciaran McClean, Focus, Omagh; Jim Ghent, Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Geraldine Keys, Focus, Omagh; Tony Brogan, St. Vincent de Paul (1st Prize) and Vida Lake, Omagh Ethnic Community Support Group.
The final award of the night for "Total Team Player" had a significant importance to Focus.
Mr. Gerry McCusker, committee member said: "On a sunny Sunday afternoon, we learned of the untimely death of our dear friend and colleague, Sandra Jones, partner of Rodney and mother of Jacqueline and Gareth."
"We decided that the Focus award this year, and for many years to come, should be the Sandra Jones Memorial Award. It should be awarded to the Total Team Player of the group," he said.
"It is unfair that we have to single out anyone as we all are aware that community groups are made up of working teams, who get very little recognition or praise. So, although we have a winner, this award is for all those who have dedicated their time and energy to Focus, not forgetting Sandra herself, who was in fact one of the founder members of Focus, as well as a previous chairperson," said Mr. McCusker.
"This person had to be 'Someone who excels in groups, easy to work with, facilitates involvement of others," he said.
The award of Total Team Player went to Ms. Rozella Kelly.
The ceremony concluded with special thanks being given to Mr. Aidan Bunting, community relations officer with Omagh District Council, for his assistance in selecting the categories for the event, which was researched on a recent trip to Canada and also for his contribution towards the prizes.
Thanks were also extended to the many local businesses for their continuous generosity.
FOCUS, the Urban Community Network, celebrated a very successful Community Awards night at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh recently.
Ms. Rozella Kelly, chairperson of the organisation, expressed her delight at seeing so many present giving support and acknowledging and honouring the many volunteers who contribute to the community each day.
She said: "The awards night had been organised to do just that and to acknowledge all volunteers in the community sector within the Omagh Town area. All of those nominated for the various awards tonight have all demonstrated their commitment to improving their communities and organisations."
Ms. Kelly continued: "Whilst we have winners in every category, everybody nominated should feel justifiably proud of their achievements and that we all recognise their valuable contribution to the local community. As well as this, it is an opportunity for our local groups to celebrate another successful year, and enjoy themselves as only the community sector can."
Ms. Kelly also paid tribute to all members present with their partners, families and friends, all of whom she said "helped create a special team, without whom Focus could certainly not flourish and grow."
She also paid tribute to the organisation's funders and groups with whom they work closely and who were also present.
"Their support is vital for the ongoing existence and development of Focus as well as ensuring that we can hold social functions like Milly's Ball. We have worked closely with our friends from the I.N.F. who have assisted us with many functions for Focus and our member groups, including co-hosting with us a party for the visiting Children of Chernobyl," she added.
The awards were as follows: Eager Enterpriser of the Community: first prize, INF; commended, Charlie Hamilton.
Unsung Hero of the Community: First, Barry Benson; commended, Johnny McLaughlin, Geraldine Keys, Rodney Monteith. Seamus Reid, Iris Moffat Scott.
Wheeler and Dealer of the Community: First, Patricia Dunne; Commended, Nora Devlin, Lorna Byrne, Geraldine Keys, Vida Lake.'
Heart Beat of the Community: First prize, Geraldine Keys; commended. Pauline McSorley. Shaun Cassidy.
Jovial Joker of the Community: First prize, Sharon McCusker; commended Lisa McGonigle, Edna Seaman.
Utopian Uniter of the Community: First prize. Rose McCrystal; Ciaran McClean, Rustim Jamshidi.
Wise Owl of the Community: First prize, Kenny Jordan; commended Joanna Gallagher, Rita McGaghan, P. J. McClean.
Open Arms of the Community: First prize (joint), Nichola McSorley and Michelle Owens; commended Shaun Cassidy, Geoffrey Laird, Jacqueline Jones. The Above and Beyond the Call of Duty award went to Mr. John McKinney, and was collected by his son, Patrick.
Geraldine Keys, development officer for Focus said: "Focus felt that this award should go to our ex-chief executive of the Omagh District Council."
"He has been good to our communities throughout the years. We would like to acknowledge and commend him for the way in which he has shone a light on Omagh in a very positive and productive way. especially after the Omagh bomb," she said.
"The members remember meeting him within the first hour of the bomb and already his calming professionalism was showing us a direction in dealing with an atrocity, so as to limit the hurt and damage for all connected," Geraldine said.
She concluded: "This award is not only for the work after the bomb but also for his dedication. commitment and passion for Omagh, which we know we will all benefit. We wish him well in his new post."
The director European Programme at the Community Relations Council, Mr. Mark Adair said: "Building a shared, inclusive and peaceful society is everyone's responsibility.
Community Relations Week demonstrates how different people and organisations are playing their part in this work."
"The range of activities which have been organised makes an encouraging statement and the Community Relations Council is pleased to offer its support to all those involved through its European and Core Funding Programmes," he said.
As it was Community Relations Week from February 1 to February 9, the personality of the year award was dedicated to someone who has shown all the qualities of an ambassador for community relations work.
The nominations were: Kathleen McNamee, Omagh Churches Forum; Ciaran McClean, Focus, Omagh; Jim Ghent, Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Geraldine Keys, Focus, Omagh; Tony Brogan, St. Vincent de Paul (1st Prize) and Vida Lake, Omagh Ethnic Community Support Group.
The final award of the night for "Total Team Player" had a significant importance to Focus.
Mr. Gerry McCusker, committee member said: "On a sunny Sunday afternoon, we learned of the untimely death of our dear friend and colleague, Sandra Jones, partner of Rodney and mother of Jacqueline and Gareth."
"We decided that the Focus award this year, and for many years to come, should be the Sandra Jones Memorial Award. It should be awarded to the Total Team Player of the group," he said.
"It is unfair that we have to single out anyone as we all are aware that community groups are made up of working teams, who get very little recognition or praise. So, although we have a winner, this award is for all those who have dedicated their time and energy to Focus, not forgetting Sandra herself, who was in fact one of the founder members of Focus, as well as a previous chairperson," said Mr. McCusker.
"This person had to be 'Someone who excels in groups, easy to work with, facilitates involvement of others," he said.
The award of Total Team Player went to Ms. Rozella Kelly.
The ceremony concluded with special thanks being given to Mr. Aidan Bunting, community relations officer with Omagh District Council, for his assistance in selecting the categories for the event, which was researched on a recent trip to Canada and also for his contribution towards the prizes.
Thanks were also extended to the many local businesses for their continuous generosity.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0854
Published Date: 15-Feb-01
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