Chair and Vice Chair host reception for Young Achievers

Recently the Chair and Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Barry McElduff and Councillor Allan Rainey MBE, hosted a reception to recognise Young Achievers from across the Council area.

The following is a copy of the speech delivered by the Chair at the reception:

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to Strule Arts Centre, Omagh this evening for the 6^th annual Young Achievers Reception.

I know my predecessors have regarded this event as one of the highlights of their term in office so I am very much looking forward to this evening.

The 2022-2023 has once again been a very busy and successful year with almost 150 young people shortlisted to receive an award.  Unfortunately it is not possible to shortlist everyone and, for a variety of reasons, not everyone is able to be with us this evening,

The recipients this year represent a wide range of categories including Athletics, Boccia, Charity, Climbing, Education, Gymnastics, Music, Public Service, Table Tennis and Wrestling to name but a few.

The reception afford us the opportunity to publicly recognise your achievement and the contribution each of you have made to our District.

I would like to congratulate and thank all the young people in the District for the positive contribution they make in our communities in so many ways.  While you may no have received public recognition, you have exceeded your own personal goals and this is important.

You, our young people, are the future of the District and I am confident that your skills, determination to succeed, your willingness and enthusiasm will help to ensure that our District will continue to thrive and be a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.

You have demonstrated these qualities through your progress and achievements which are being recognised tonight.  However, these are also important life and work skills which will help you succeed later in life in your careers.

I would like to convey my appreciation to the parents, guardians, coaches and teachers for providing our young people with the opportunity to participate in the wide variety of activities and realise their potential whilst developing their skills, confidence and self-esteem.

It is important that we continue to support and encourage our young people so they can access opportunities for a positive future.

Walt Disney once said “If you can dream about it, you can do it.”  You have al dreamed of achieving a particular goal and each of you have done that.  I would encourage you to continue to work hard in school and in your outside interests and follow your dreams as this will inspire you to further success.

I would like to commend you all on how you have managed to achieve success alongside completing your school work which is very important.

On behalf of my fellow Councillors, the residents of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate each and every one of you again.  You have done yourselves, your family and friends, your coaches, your teachers and the entire Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area proud.

Each of you will be an inspiration to so many other young people who have their own hopes and dreams of success.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening and wish you every success for the future.

Thank you.