Presentation of award of Champions of Change

On March 17th 2015 at the House of Lords at a special ceremony PP Trevor Stewart was presented with a Champion of Change Award for his great work since 2011 in involving many Rotary Clubs throughout Ireland in the Jole Rider project.

Pictured are Gerry Kierans, Lord Tankeress, Trevor stewart and RIBI President Peter King

Rotary Club of Lisburn Supporting Lisburn Sea Cadets

Lisburn Sea Cadets which had been in existence for many years had been suffering organisational difficulties. At a presentation to the Club it was explained that if it was not possible to have help on the organisational side the group would fold.

PP David Browne agreed to help and met up with the Commanding Officer and discussed their needs.

As a result he agreed to Chair the Management Committee and PP Sandra McCabe also agreed to sit on the Committee

The Unit has now been put on a sound footing and is in the process of purchasing a new boat. The Rotary Club of Lisburn will help with the funding of the new boat which is essential for their training.

PP David Browne highlighted the actions of one of the Sea Cadets in a recent nomination by a member of the public who witnessed an incident in Belfast and notified the principal f RBAI.

One of the cadets, OC Moffett has been awarded a ‘Principal’s Award’ for good citizenship! OC Moffett was in Belfast when he came across a member of the public who was unconscious so OC Moffett swung into action and performed first aid which he learned through the Sea Cadet Corps for the individual! OC Moffett said, “I feel delighted with myself that I have been recognised for something good that I have done”. He also said, “It fills me with pride to know that I can learn something in Sea Cadets that is useful in real life situations”!

The Rotary Club of Lisburn supporting SOS Bus

President Sam and Leonard Pollock visit SOS bus centre

SOS Bus NI is a volunteer centred charity that is making a real difference to children, young people and adults on the streets of Belfast during the night time economy period. It offers a unique mobile service that can be located wherever it is needed. Trained volunteers and medical staff operate from specially designed and equipped vehicles deploying satellite foot and mobile patrols to extended areas of need. This ensures that professional caring services are delivered to the vulnerable in times of crisis when required.
SOS Bus NI believes in partnerships and works with other voluntary organisations, the emergency services and statutory bodies to create a safer place for everyone. It is committed to growing and delivering this help wherever it is needed.

A number of Rotarians mainly from the Belfast Club volunteer to man the bus.

Recently an appeal to bridge a funding gap was made and The Rotary Club of Lisburn made a donation which along with support from many others enabled this service to continue to carry out  its vital work

Rotary Celebrating International Womens Day

The Ladies who made the day

VP Gary enjoys breakfast

A Lisburn Rotarians table

President Sam well fed

It was an early start at Malone Golf Club for Rotarians and friends for breakfast to celebrate International Womens Day. A large contingent of Rotarians and Partners from the Rotary Club of Lisburn along with Rotarians from many other Clubs,Soroptomists and friends enjoyed a hearty breakfast.

Siobahn McGary of Downtown radio was MC for the morning and introduced the Speakers. Carolyn Mawhinney a new member of Rotary explained how and why she had come to be join Rotary and how it appealed to her sense of service..

The Lord Mayor of Belfast Nicola Mallon was a special guest and talked about her career path  in politics and how women were still very much in the minority.

PP Sandra McCabe who was heavily involved in the organisation of the event talked about International Womens day.

The awards were then presented

Evening Meeting 5th March

Rev. Peter O ‘ Reilly, Rev. Ken Hall and Pres. Sam

Rev. Peter O’Reilly his sister Siobhan and PP Liam

TheThursday evening meeting was well attended with several guests joining the members. The speakers for the evening were Reverend Peter O’Reilly of St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church Enniskillen and Rev erend Ken Hall of St McCartins Church of Ireland Enniskillen.

They gave us a very interesting insight into how they had built up their relationship over the years and brought along their flock to all be supportive of the visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Enniskillen. It was avery interesting talk on advancing community relations in difficult circumstances many years after the Enniskillen Remembrance Sunday bombing.