Chairman honours district’s inspirational young people

Chairman honours district’s inspirational young people

1 April 2015

DOWN Council has honoured 40 of the district’s young people.

Their success and contribution to the life of the district in a range of fields was recognised at Downpatrick racecourse last weekend during the council chairman’s Inspiring Youth Awards which recognised many of the area’s young people aged between eight and 21.

Awards were presented in a number of categories including community involvement, democracy/citizenship, entertainment and arts, the environment, health, sporting personal achievement and helping others in sport, volunteering and the chairman’s special recognition award which went to Ballynahinch student Hayley Anderson.

A guide leader in the town and a talented sportswoman, she is using her skills to encourage young people to get involved in physical activities. The 17 year-old is also training to be a qualified football coach and is head girl at St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College.

Council chairman, Billy Walker, said everyone who had been nominated for an award was a “winner” and paid tribute to all the young people who make such a difference to their communities.

He said he has had the privilege of working with many young people and is “amazed” by the work they do, the talent that they have and the generosity they show to others across the district.

The chairman continued: “Our district’s young people give me enormous hope for the future. Although many are dealing with difficult challenges at work, at school or in their personal life, the young people of this district are conscientious, enthusiastic and driven. They are determined to make a better future for themselves and for others and are working hard to make it happen.

“They are a positive force and that’s why I feel so passionate about creating this opportunity to recognise and reward our young people. They are important to us now and to our future. There is much to celebrate in the youth of today and we should take every opportunity to do so.

Councillor Walker highlighted the need for all young people to have a stake in their communities and for communities to have a stake in the lives of the young people.

He said he hoped that by celebrating young people’s success and supporting and recognising those who are making a difference, they can be encouraged and given the opportunity to make their mark in society, make a difference in their local area and make the best possible start to adult life.”

Guests were entertained on arrival at the awards ceremony by Downpatrick DJ Rhys Mussett, while local singer/songwriter Stephen Rafferty, Newcastle’s Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and Conor Scott from BBC’sThe Voice made the event an enjoyable one for all the guests with their live performances throughout the afternoon.

At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, the last major event to be hosted by Down Council before being replaced by the new super council, councillor Walker made reference to the “end of an era.”

He paid tribute to former council chairmen and women and local authority chief executives who joined him for the awards ceremony, paying tribute to their contributions and diligent service to public life over the past 42 years.

“Down Council can look back with pride on its long and successful history and be pleased that it has played a vital role in the lives of so many citizens of the district,” he said.

“April 1st heralds a new beginning for Down Council when it merges with Newry and Mourne to establish one of 11 new super councils. The new local authority will be bigger and stronger with greater powers and responsibilities and it will create opportunities to do things differently and improve services for the benefit of residents, businesses and communities.”