Home       About Us       Officers       News & Events       Speakers       Gallery       Projects       Links       Contact Us    Speakers Sammy Wilson MP Thu 09 February 2012 This week Sammy Wilson will be joining us at 6.00pm, so our meeting is arranged for the evening of Thursday 9th instead of lunchtime on the 8th. Please be seated at 5.45pm. Mrs Maureen Luke on Women's Role in Saudi Arabia Wed 01 February 2012 Maureen was with us in October last year and ran out of time. She returned to tell us more stories about her time in Saudi Arabia. Maureen told the club how she coped with the various culture differences and these were very wide and varied. She loved her 3 years in Saudi and was very well received there. She thought the facilities were excellent and the shopping was just fabulous. The members plied Maureen with many questions, all of which she answered with many great stories and anecdotes thrown in. Photo: Maureen Luke with President Andrew. Business Meeting (no Speaker) Wed 25 January 2012 Doug DeLaureal Wed 18 January 2012 Doug DeLaureal gave us a lively account of his home life in the State of Louisiana. Doug and his wife Shannon, Minister of Greenisland Methodist Church, hope to extend Shannon's assignment well beyond the original term of three years. Photo: Assistant Governor Sean Laverty, Doug DeLaureal, President Andrew. Rtn. Philip Bryan - Sicilian Experience Wed 11 January 2012 Our own Rotarian Philip Bryan entertained us with his account of his recent trip to Sicily and the beneficial climate there at this time of year. Woody Hanson, Ambassadorial Scholar from the USA Wed 16 November 2011 Woody came to our Club and told us his life story, which he unfolded to us with all credit being given to his family and friends. Being brought up in East Wisconsin, he subsequently studied at University in Minnesota. He discovered very quickly that the best fresh water surfing was locally, on the West coast of Lake Michigan. He also found that his talent was in marketing his basketball team, not taking part in the game itself! More recently, the old Minnesota town industrial area is now developing as a cultural centre after a long period of decay, which has helped to spawn Woody's vocation, which is in urban design. Rotary in Minnesota is university based, focussing on youth activities. Woody gained his Ambassadorial Scholarship on the second attempt and is obviously very thankful for it. He is now at Queens University studying rural and urban design - and has been very involved in a project in Nicosia, Cyprus, where serious work is ongoing re-unifying the built heritage, in the last divided capital in Europe. We wish Woody all success in his future career. Photo: President Andrew with Woody. Billy Edwards and Beth Bradbury, Downshire College, Carrickfergus Wed 09 November 2011 A very interesting and informative presentation was given to us by Billy Edwards and Beth Bradbury on the Downshire School Pupil Support Programme. As well as telling us all about the aims of the programme itself, we heard how the programme provides remedial action for those most in need, as well as supporting pupils with encouragement to be aware of their actions/reactions, and exploring other strategies to get positive results. Photo: President Elect Kim Lindsay with Billy and Beth. Dave Terrett and Barry Williamson on Talking Newspapers Wed 02 November 2011 Being able to see the printed word is something a lot of us take for granted. Blind and partially sighted people don't have this opportunity - but Talking Newspapers can help them in other ways, and can provide access in many different ways. Dave and Barry write, narrate and perform (!) for the Coleraine Talking Newspaper, producing news, views and humour on regularly issued cd's for visually impaired people and others who cannot read for various reasons. Dave and Barry entertained us with a presentation on their Talking Newspaper, delivered to many throughout the Coleraine and North Antrim area. Photo, left to right: Rotarian James Steele, Barry and Dave, President Andrew. Elaine Joy - Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from USA Wed 26 October 2011 Elaine and her husband Ben have been in Northern Ireland since September, and will be here for a year. They are dedicated to the work they do for disadvantaged people in their home town of Gallipolis, South Ohio on the Ohio River where poverty is the norm. We were delighted by Elaine's enthusiasm for their work, and for the Rotary Projects she has encountered so far through her contact with various Rotary Clubs both here and in her home town. Elaine is visiting many Rotary Clubs throughout Northern Ireland during her time here and will no doubt be well received. Mrs Maureen Luke, on Women's Role in Saudi Arabia Wed 19 October 2011 Maureen Luke guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Carrickfergus pictured with Past President Colin de Fleury. Maureen charted her career in nursing and nurse management to her eventual appointment to a post in Saudi Arabia where she had responsibility for drawing up and managing the delivery of a nursing curriculum to student nurses in a cultural background very different from her own. Wesley Bonnar - Lilian Bland, Aviator Extraordinary Wed 12 October 2011 Wesley Bonnar told us the story of Lilian Bland (1878-1971), an aeronautical engineer and the first woman in the world to design, build and fly a powered aircraft 'The Mayfly', from the top of Carnmoney Hill! Lilian was also a professional photographer, an author and an artist. An atypical granddaughter of a Dean of Belfast, as a young woman she wore trousers, smoked cigarettes and tinkered with car engines. She was also a successful press photographer and sports journalist. Louis Bleriot's cross-Channel flight (1909) inspired her to build her own bi-plane glider, the Mayfly, which successfully left the ground on Carnmoney Hill, with four Royal Irish Constabulary constables hanging on to the wings. She then installed a 20 h.p. engine (bought from A.V. Roe) in it, intending to build aeroplanes on a commercial scale, but lacked the finance and had to give up. In 1912 she emigrated to Canada, married a cousin and carved out a farm on virgin land. In 1935 she retired to Cornwall, 'gambling, painting and gardening'- to quote her own words. Alan Wright from the GRASP Project in Greenisland Wed 14 September 2011 Mary McCreight, Carrick Citizen's Advice Bureau Wed 07 September 2011 Mary McCreight, Manager of Carrickfergus CAB, gave us an interesting talk on the excellent work of the CAB in the Carrickfergus area. Photo: Mary with Kim Lindsay, President Elect. Power NI - The New Name for NIE Energy Wed 24 August 2011 Power NI is on a programme of engaging and interacting with customers, and advising them what practical help can be offered. Alan Egner and LesleyAnn Diffin delivered an interesting and informative presentation on Power NI's roots and development from the early days of electricity supply in Northern Ireland to today, why the name change from NIE Energy, how savings can be made, customer and charity interaction programmes and services, and lack of complaints! A lively discussion ensued and everyone left with a free gift. Photo: Alan and LesleyAnn with President Andrew; Amy Bennington was also assisting. "LIFE AFTER LOSS" Wed 17 August 2011 Eleanor Ellerslie and Helen Savage introduced us to a newly formed charity called "Life After Loss", based in Kilroot Park, Carrickfergus. Primarily for mothers who have lost a pregnancy or infant. Their website www.lifeafterloss.org.uk has a video and useful information on their services to local communities. Photo: Eleanor and Helen with President Andrew. The Reverend Shannon DeLaureal, Greenisland Baptist Church Wed 03 August 2011 We were priviledged to have the Reverend Shannon DeLaureal, minister of Greenisland Methodist Church, as our speaker this week, telling us how she came to join the ministry, and why she is now very happily living in Northern Ireland. Jo Boylan - Lagan Valley Regional Park Wed 27 July 2011 Jo Boylan gave us a very interesting insight into the Lagan Valley Regional Park through her presentation, with some excellent photographs. (go to "Gallery" in the main menu) Paul Watson Wed 20 July 2011 Paul Watson lives in Greenisland and lost his wife to cancer a few years ago. Paul published a book to share his experiences and has been selling the book to raise funds for the N.I. Hospice. He came to the meeting with his two young boys and told his story. Tony Jones from "African Child Ministries". Wed 06 July 2011 Tony Jones told Club Members how a chance invitation to participate in the 'Walk of a Thousand Men' and a visit to Africa led to his involvement with African Child Ministries. He described how he initially in 2005 set up a stall in Carrickfergus each Saturday selling items to raise funds to support children in a particular area of Kenya near Nairobi and how from these small beginnings he now has a shop in West Street. African Child Ministries ensures that all funds raised are wisely managed and targeted in the areas of greatest need. Photograph: (L - R) Tony Jones African Child Ministries pictured with Anna Craig, a guest of the Club, and Rotary President Andrew Davidson. ROTARIANS LEARN OF TRU COLOURS PROJECT Mon 27 June 2011 Carmel Smyth and Jaime Norris of Tru Colours Hair Bar in West Street visited the Rotary Club of Carrickfergus to explain the scope of their own business, to outline their plans for a major project in 2012 in support of Women's Aid and to enlist support for their venture from the Rotarians. Because the nature of their work brings them into constant contact with women they are particularly passionate about helping Women's Aid in the local area and hope that the Fashion and Hair Show they are planning will serve the dual purpose of profiling the work of Women's Aid and raise much needed funding to help support it. Rotarian Laura Steele thanked Carmel and Jaime on behalf of all the Club members and congratulated them on their commitment to Women's Aid in the local community. Mr Charles McMillen - Special Guest Mon 20 June 2011 Mr Charles McMillen (the sole surviving Ulster- born Dunkirk veteran) is a former sergeant in the Royal Artillery who experienced battle as part of the allied forces on the front-line during the second world war. Despite facing fierce resistance and an onslaught from the German enemy on the French's beaches in May 1940, the Shankill Road born soldier went on to bear arms during the London Blitz and the Normandy landings. He had a long career as a bursar at Oxford University. Visit to Club: Sean Laverty, Assistant Governor Mon 06 June 2011 AG Sean visited our Club at Club Assembly, bringing greetings from incoming District Governor Barney Callaghan, the RIBI and RI Presidents. He commended the Club on its achievements and outlined progress on many local and international Rotary projects. In conclusion he wished incoming President Andrew and the Club good wishes for the coming Rotary year. Sean Neeson - "Life on the Hill" Mon 23 May 2011 Sean Neeson, recently retired as an MLA, shared with us his life as an MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, and his continuing political career serving the people of Northern Ireland, and Carrickfergus in particular! Bill Foster - Belfast Lough Sailability Charity Mon 09 May 2011 Bill Foster gave an inspirational talk about his life following loosing his sight and thereafter becoming involved with the Belfast Lough Sailability enterprise. His approach to the whole scenario was greatly appreciated by everyone and many were spell bound by what he had achieved and continues to achieve. Gary Smith: Leprosy Mission - Africa Mon 18 April 2011 Liam Kelly - Larne Historical Society Mon 11 April 2011 Liam provided the Club with an entertaining and informative insight into the history of Larne and its museum, currently in the Carnegie Centre and planning to move to a larger venue. Brenda Leslie & Kate Gibney Mon 04 April 2011 Brenda is the Community Re-settlement worker for Women's Aid in East Antrim, assisted by volunteer Kate Gibney, and outlined their work combatting domestic violence. Martin Beattie - Vice Principal, Hill Croft School, Newtownabbey Mon 14 March 2011 Hill Croft School caters for both physically and mentally handicapped young persons. Martin gave us an insight into the way the school operates including the Transition Unit, introducing many life activities into the varied curriculum, which is designed to assist with the transition from school to adult life. Specialist areas such as the Structured Learning Room for autistic pupils, and others needing specialist attention, feature in the school. In the photograph with Martin and President Michael is Mary Sinnamon's Japanese friend Mariko Nishitani, who is studying poetry at Queens University. Maeve Connor - Ballycarry Guides Mon 07 March 2011 Maeve recounted her experiences on the "Ultimate Botswana Centenary Adventure 2" which she shared with other Guides from the UK, following Rotary sponsorship. The Tour included the Victoria Falls in Zambia as well as a rhino sanctuary, the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park in Botswana. Les Jones, Past Assistant Governor, Donaghadee Rotary Club Mon 14 February 2011 Les will be welcomed as our speaker at our lunchtime meeting, 12.45 PM at the Clarion Hotel. Mission Aviation Fellowship - Colin Davies Mon 31 January 2011 Colin Davies gave us a very informative and interesting talk on the work of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), whose mission is to operate light aircraft in remote places where flying is not a luxury, but a real lifeline, enabling the vital work of others. MAF work in close partnership with over 1,000 missions, providing flights and logistical support for their outreach to communities in developing nations. These missions include aid agencies, missions, relief and development organisations, government departments, local churches and other national groups. Their work covers healthcare, emergency relief, development and the bringing of God's word. MAF is a UK registered charity and their overseas operational work and support services are funded by voluntary donations. Rotaract and Interact - Trudy Montgomery Mon 24 January 2011 Trudy Montgomery, District Rotaract Development Officer, spoke about how important it is to include Interact and Rotaract Clubs in our Rotary projects and activities. Katie Setterfield: CLIC Sargent Mon 10 January 2011 231 families in N.I. are currently receiving benefits from CLIC Sargent, 2 in Carrickfergus and 4 in Newtownabbey. Katie outlined one particular story about a young girl with leukaemia called Alana. Currently funding provides for 2 social workers, a clinical psychologist (who often enables clinical procedures to proceed without general anaesthetic) and a play specialist, with a small number of support staff. Support to families is given to anyone between 0 and 24 years old with cancer. Survival rates in N.I. have doubled in recent years, with CLIC Sargent providing support to many families. The Malcolm Sargent House is available for use by families of cancer sufferers to enable them to take holidays. The money raised through the Tesco initiative this year is to enable CLIC Sargent to fund a full time nurse.