News

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Graham Mason, announced the winners of the ‘Poole Achievement Awards’ for 2002 at a Civic Ball and Awards Ceremony at The Lighthouse on Friday.

This year six awards were presented by the Mayor to David and Sandra Watt, Eileen Minshall, Irene Dewar, Sheila Wyatt, Brian Mullins and the Rotary Club of Poole.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Graham Mason, said: "The award winners have shown exceptional commitment to the local community through hard work and dedication throughout most of their adult lives. It is people like these that continue Poole’s development as a forward thinking and nurturing place to live. On behalf of the council I take great pleasure in rewarding these people who have worked so tirelessly to improve the lives of others, congratulations to them all!"

The awards are part of the Borough of Poole’s commitment to honour people from all walks of life for their achievements, the theme of the 2002 award, linked to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, is ‘long service to the people and community of Poole.’

Nominations are submitted for an individual, organisation, or group thought to deserve an award in recognition of their effort, service, dedication or achievement in making Poole a better place in which to live or work.

 Biographies of Winners

David and Sandra Watt

David and Sandra Watt receive their award in honour of the support and care they have shown children in Poole.

For more than 20 years David and Sandra have fostered over 60 children as well as bringing up their own family. Currently in their care are five children, including two with special needs. David and Sandra have tried to pass on their experience and knowledge to as many people in Poole as possible through their work on adoption panels, pre-marriage courses and through advertising and media campaigns.

Sandra and David are a vital local resource available at any time of day or night to look after and care for children in need of foster parents.

Sandra and David both work closely with their local church and Sandra helps support the hungry and homeless of Poole by taking part in regular soup kitchens. David has worked at Poole Hospital for many years but ill health has forced him to take early retirement. However, this has not stopped him from continuing to foster children.

Eileen Minshall

Eileen Minshall is being presented with her award in recognition of her devotion to Poole students with learning difficulties.

Eileen has recently completed 30 years of service at Montacute Special School. She began as a nursery nurse offering advice and support as well as reassurance to new parents.

Eileen soon became a teaching assistant where she excelled at motivating pupils with severe learning difficulties, helping them to get the most out of their education. As such an excellent motivator she was appointed as a key member of the ‘Post-16s’ team, helping older students with college or work placements. She has been resilient to angst-ridden teenagers, a wave of calm in a crisis, encouraging when students have struggled and generous in her praise of their achievements.

Eileen has worked hard to ensure that all the students leave Montacute ready to face the world and that they go on to have a full and meaningful role in the community. She has learnt many new skills to further benefit the students including desktop publishing and dinghy sailing!

Irene Dewar

For over 30 years Irene Dewar has volunteered her time and energy to people in Poole with learning disabilities. This award is given to Irene to thank her for her commitment to those in need.

Irene has always given her time voluntarily even though she has a daughter with learning disabilities and has been a widow for many years. However, this has never deterred her from her desire to help others with learning difficulties.

Irene has helped in the running of a weekly club for people in Poole with learning disabilities and takes members of the group on annual holidays as well as organising social activities and special events.

Irene has continued to give her time and energy to programs for people with learning disabilities. Even though it sometimes left her tired, knowing that "everyone had a good time" was enough of a reward.

To further help people in our community Irene has served as a Carer Representative on the Partnership Board, was secretary of Lodge Hill Parents and Staff Association and is now secretary of the Gateway Club.

Sheila Wyatt has helped shape the caring nature of Poole for over 30 years and for this she is receiving a civic award this evening.

Sheila began her generosity by joining the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service in 1972 and has been on hand ever since, starting with ‘meals on wheels’ a service taking food to the housebound. Sheila now helps these same residents with a library service, ‘books on wheels’ and has done so for many years and provides support and affection for those that she visits.

Sheila has volunteered her services all over Poole, from the County Court to Poole Hospital and she has also helped provide support for the elderly at the day centre in Skinner Street. Sheila recently injured her foot and had to take some time off from volunteer work but soon realised the importance of the service she had been providing and quickly got back up and returned to delivering library books to residents of Oakdale.

Sheila is a great example of the kindness and generosity shown by so many people in Poole. She has devoted much of her time and energy to the local community.

Brian Mullins

Brian Mullins has spent much of his life working with and for the people of Poole Quay, his support of so many causes has lead him to be nominated by many people and organisations.

Brian spent 24 years as a Poole Harbour Commissioner and six as its vice-chairman followed by many months as acting chairman. His knowledge of the harbour and the people that live and work on the Quay has proved to be an invaluable source of advice and guidance to many.

Brian has campaigned on behalf of fishermen in the area for many years notably entering into negotiations with oil and survey companies to ensure the survival of an important local industry. His duty to fishermen does not end there – Brian also spends considerable time and effort raising money for The Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, as well as for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Brian is also devoted to the Church and currently serves as Church Warden of St James’ Church as well as holding the position of vice-chairman of the Parochial Church Council.

Brian has many times displayed his altruistic nature and people who love Poole harbour have a lot to thank him for – he has worked without hesitation to maintain the historic character of the town.

The Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Poole has been raising money and helping the community in many ways for over 80 years, of all the award winners tonight, Poole Rotary Club has provided more than one lifetime’s service and this award honours that achievement.

The Rotary Club has raised thousands of pounds for a variety of different charities and groups in Poole, including women’s refuges, hospitals and children’s nurseries.

Hundreds of Rotarians have worked tirelessly over the many years of the club’s history to bring about improvements in the area and facilities for everyone in Poole. They have all donated time, money and energy to improving the lives of many in Poole and have always worked hard and well with local groups.

The lifetime achievement award for the club recognises the contributions that have poured in to and from many generations of Poole people.