UH/0638

Officers appointed at Omawest AGM

AT the recent Omawest Annual General Meeting held at the F.O.C.U.S. officers and chaired by Geraldine Keys, a large representation from the area elected the first women Vice-Chairperson and reviewed what had been a difficult year for the community of Omagh.
Lisa McGonigle, from Culmore Park, was elected to the position of Vice-Chair by a unanimous vote. Chairman, Gerry McCusker, welcomed the fact that a number of new faces were now on board and that the fact that others have shown interest in getting involved in the new year.
Mr. McCusker highlighted the many events and projects headed by Omawest throughout the year, touching on the many campaigns with which the group have been involved, and the on-going issues concerning the group, i.e. roads, housing, environment, youth, facilities for the children, the hospitals issue, women's issues and the everyday problems that the 8,000-plus residents identify to the group daily.
The various children's events were a high point for the group while the return of the festivals gave the community back its spirit, sadly as the whole town prepared for the festival finale, the single worst atrocity of the 'troubles' plunged the town into inconsolable grief.
The Chairman thanked members for support in the aftermath of the bomb and it was acknowledged that the group played a major part in the candlelight vigil held the following Tuesday evening as well as in numerous other activities relating to the wider community in the weeks and months after the atrocity.
Omawest was active in assisting the Art Auction for Omagh at which IR£153,000 was raised for the Tyrone County hospital, and recently Paddy Hunter and Gerry McCusker organised the highly successful Bagatelle show in the town raising over £1,500 for the hospital and the Omagh Fund.
The meeting heard that Omawest has a very strong female representation and the ladies have been very active in organising the return of Santa to the region, while a computer course for women starts in January. The group are also taking part in a stage production planned for Easter and continue with many courses including a first N.V.Q. in community work.
Mr. McCusker stressed that the ethos of the group remained and the betterment of life in the western part of Omagh was still the priority. He welcomed the fact that the long-awaited strategy plan would be launched just after Christmas.
He said: "Omawest is representative of the whole west of Omagh, public and private housing, men, women, young and old, it is a strong group and with the continued support of the community from Drummannon to O'Kane Park, from Brookmount to Bracken, we will achieve our aims of proper facilities. We ask anyone with problems to contact us, we have a solid relationship with all the statutory bodies and services and our track record is there for all to see.
The various sponsors of events and projects were thanked and the sympathies of the group were extended to those bereaved or injured on August 15th.
The following officers were elected - Chairman, Gerry McCusker; Vice-Chair, Lisa McGonigle; Secretary, Pauline McSorley; Asst. Secretary, Kieran Gallagher; Treasurer, Kieran McCann; Asst. Treasurer, Nora Devlin; P.R.O., Paddy Hunter; Development Worker, Ollie Kelly; Committee, A. McGonigle, C. Ayres, A. McCusker, P. Devlin, A. Logue, I. McKeagney, C. McTeague.