The Community Voice

WINNERS OF THE 2009 COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY AWARDS

The winners of the 2009 County Waterford Community and Voluntary Awards were announced at a Ceremony on Friday 13TH November, in Clonea Strand Hotel where a staggering 240 people gathered.

The Awards Scheme is a joint initiative of the County Waterford Community Forum and Waterford County Council. There were 56 groups nominated for this year’s Awards. 18 groups were shortlisted but out of those there could only be 6 category winners and one Overall Winner. The Awards were adjudicated by an independent panel of judges. The winning groups are as follows:

The WLRfm Overall Award went to Kinsalebeg Community Group. The winning groups received €500 each and a will be presented with a framed certificate. The overall award winner received a further €800 and was presented with a beautiful piece of crystal, handcrafted by local Artist, Eddie Flynn from Tara Crystal & Lighting, The Pike, Dungarvan, they will also avail of a live broadcast on-site, in 2010, sponsored by WLRfm.

Every one of the 56 applicants will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation in the Awards Scheme. Speakers on the night included Mayor of County Waterford, Cllr Nora Flynn, Ray O’ Dwyer, County Manager, Oliver Coffey, Chair of the Community Forum and Peter Kiely, from Cos Cursp Teo, Líos na Síog, winners of the Overall Award in 2008.

Also present were representatives of all our Corporate Sponsors who presented awards to the winning groups, these included: WLRfm, GlaxoSmithKline, Dungarvan Shopping Centre, Al Eile Stud, i-to-i, MahonBridge Garages Ltd, Deiselink, and Waterford LEADER Partnership.

The night went down a treat beginning with a buffet meal followed by glorious desserts, cheese and organic Ice-Cream kindly sponsored by Lismore Farmers Market; this was followed by the announcement of the Awards. A brochure showcasing the entire Awards Scheme was produced and includes logos from local businesses to sponsor its production. Also present on the night was Sinead O’Neill , former Co-ordinator of the Community Forum, who was presented with flowers and a gift on behalf of The Chair, Executive and staff of the Community Forum for her 3 years service, also presented with and thanked for her support in the past was Rena Cody, Administrative Officer, Community & Enterprise, Waterford County Council.

Extended thanks to, Waterford County Council, Dungarvan Town Council, INKA Design & Print, Clonea Strand Hotel, Damien Walsh, Installations, Press and Media, Community Forum Executive, and Task Group Committee.