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RECIPIENTS TO BE FETED AT GALA BANQUET IN WESTPORT By Tom Shiel The recipients of the fifth annual "Mayo People of the Year" awards were announced at a press briefing at the Belmont Hotel , Knock. Those chosen for the accolades are to be honoured for their achievements in their respective fields. In all eight awards will be presented, including a special trophy an overseas nomination which in the view of the adjudicators has done so much good work in their adopted countries. The presentation ceremony will be the highlight of a gala banquet in the Hotel Westport on Friday night November 28. The special guest for the evening will compere Mike Edgar of BBC, Belfast and music for the occasion will be provided by the D-Team. Tickets for the function are now available at £27.50 each from Mr. Kevin Bourke, Rehab Workshop, Breaffy Road, Castlebar. All the profits from the occasion will go towards meeting the running costs of the Rehab workshop in Castlebar where sixty people receive special training to enable them enter the workforce. Mr. Tom Gillespie, chairman of the Awards Committee said there were many Mayo people and groups whose contributions often escaped unheralded, without the recognition they deserved. The concept behind the organising of the project was to rectify that omission and to acknowledge in a public manner the unsparing service given by so many Mayo people in so many ways of life. Mr. Gillespie, who is editor of the Connaught Telegraph said: "We, Rehab, the Connaught Telegraph and AIB Bank, are delighted to be associated with this worthy project. "And it pleases us all the more to know that profits from the function will go to a very deserving cause, the development of Rehab services in Mayo." Mr. Gillespie said they were deeply indebted to the panel of national adjudicators who were faced with making the difficult decisions in selecting the winners. "The adjudicators have expressed their delight with the calibre of the nominations received. Their only regret is that all of the submissions could not be favoured with an award." He thanked all those who took the trouble to nominate individuals and groups for the various awards. He had a particular word of thanks for the sponsors of the awards, magnificent pieces of Skellig Crystal crafted by Rehab trainees. The announcement of the awards were made by Mrs. Mary Murphy, chairperson, Mayo Rehab; Mr. Stephen Connolly, Connaught Telegraph and Mr. Patrick Morley, AIB Bank, Castlebar. Monsignor Dominic Greally, P.P. Knock, who was guest of honour at the announcement of the recipients, said the awards project was a great idea as there so many, many people in every parish who are involved all their lives in voluntary work, giving, hour and hours, days and nights to helping other people. He said: "There have been so many, many people who have been the life blood of every parish and who have made so mush easier for so many people." The awards have acted, he said, as a tremendous vehicle by which to show the great work that is being undertaken by Rehab. He said he was amazed at the variety of the nominations and it was a credit to the organising committee that such a cross-spectrum of nominations were forthcoming. He felt the committee should at some stage be recognised and given one of the awards. Monsignor Greally said he was delighted to see the inclusion of an overseas award. "You are lighting your own lantern in awarding Tony Lavelle of London who has worked with the Castlebar and District association for so many years. "It is a way of saying that our exiles and emigrants are being remembered in the same way as our new President lit a lantern as a sign of welcome to all people who are outside of Ireland." THE 1997 MAYO AWARD WINNERS ARE: The Westport -Aror Partnership which raised £130,000 for the Third World Kenyan village. Mrs Mary Mulryan & Mayo Branch of Cerebral Palsy Ireland for the way in which they have developed services for the physically disabled within the county. Ballyglass Football and Social Club, who through a fundraising campaign, raised £250,000 for the provision of a village recreational facility. Mr. Dermot Melia, Ballina for his determination, who despite a disability, returned to playing and coaching youngsters in the skills of basketball. Castlebar Information Age Town Committee for their success in being shortlisted for Ireland's Information Age Town and securing £1 million from Telecom Eireann for the development of IT projects in Castlebar. Mayo-Roscommon Hospice Care Nurse, Sr. Mary Murphy for her work, care and dedication to the terminally ill and their families. Teacher and broadcaster, Joe Byrne, Aghamore for his work and enthusiasm in promoting the cultural, historical, artistic and musical aspects of East Mayo. Overseas Award: Mr. Tony Lavelle, London, is being honoured for his thirty years involvement in the Castlebar and District Association in London.
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