Group News 2005
Group Christmas Mass and Award Ceremony Held (31/12/05)
Above (L-R): Billy Collins, Scoutleader 7th Waterford; Martin Burbidge, Chief Scout; Maurice Kavanagh, Chief Scout Award Recipient and David Rogers, Group Leader.
The annual Group Christmas mass was held on Saturday 17th December in the De La Salle College Chapel. There were a number of presentations made during the ceremony most notably to Maurice Kavanagh of the De La Salle Venture Scouts and formally of the 7th Scout Troop who was presented with his Chief Scout's Award by Martin Burbidge. The Chief Scout spoke of the exceptional detail and quality of Maurice's project on the law and congratulated Maurice on achieving the highest award which youth members in the association can achieve. Maurice was congratulated by the entire group as well as his family and former leaders.
Above: Cian O'hOgartaigh receives his award from the Chief Scout, Martin Burbidge.
Other awards included a special presentation to of the 3rd Scout Troop who was one of the winners in the 2005 County Mountain Pursuit Challenge photo competition sponsored by Altitude. Cian took the prize for the photo of a goat after his impressive endeavours up the steep gully at Foill an Priosun to take the shot. Colm Ennis of the 3rd Scout Troop was also presented with his 10 year service award as well as a Bronze Medal of Merit. Ray Smith of the 3rd Beavers was presented with his 20 year service medal. Group Leader, David Rogers congratulated all those who had received awards and thanked all of the group's members and supporters for their hard work in the past twelve months. He spoke of the challenges that lie ahead in the next 12 months including securing the group's future with a new scout den.
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A Peace Light which had began its journey in Bethlehem was also present at the ceremony. The light with us had travelled by railway through middle Europe to Paris then on to Calais, over the English Channel to Dover, up through England to Scotland, where it was collected by Scouts from Derry and carried by Ferry to Larne, then taken by road to Dublin and on to us here in Waterford.
Altitude Photo Competition Winners Announced (11/12/05)
Above: Placing the flag on the summit by Leonie Rogers of the 8th Tramore.
The 2005 County Mountain Pursuit Challenge featured a photo competition kindly sponsored by Altitude of Ballybricken in Waterford City and the winners have just been announced. Padraig O'Muiriosa of the Old Parish Scout Troop was awarded top honours in the Scout section of the competition for his "Cool morning in the mountains" shot. Leonie Rogers from the 8th Tramore took the prize for the best photo by a leader for her placing the flag on the summit shot while Cian O'hOgartaigh from the 3rd De La Salle took the prize for the photo of a goat after his impressive endeavours up the steep gully at Foill an Priosun to take the shot.
Above: The elusive Foill an Priosun Goat by Cian O'hOgartaigh of the 3rd De La Salle.
Eamon Barrett, proprietor of Altitude said that he was delighted to be involved in the competition and that the display of photos which has just gone on prominent display in the store had been receiving much favourable comment from customers. The photos will be on display right up until Christmas. Altitude have also agreed to make the competition an annual event and one of the CMPC Coordinators, Colm Ennis, has said that he is looking forward to an even bigger entry from the Galtees in 2006. To see all the entries call into the store or check out our County MPC Gallery and County MPC Expedition Report pages.
Above: A cool morning in the mountains by Padraig O'Muiriosa.
Annual Youth Awards Winner (4/12/05)
Congratulations to Jessica Collins from St. Pauls who was the Young Person Winner in the Uniform & Rescue Category of the Waterford Voluntary Youth Council/Waterford Crystal Annual Youth Awards 2005. The Awards have been running every year since 1993 to give public recognition to the work being done for, with and by young people in Waterford City. In the same category Jim Hennessy was presented with the Youth Leader award. Sile De Valera, Minister for Youth Affairs was Guest of Honour at the event which was held at the Granville Hotel on the 1st of December last.
Prior to the announcement of the winners, Declan Kelly, Uniform & Rescue Representative on the Waterford Voluntary Youth Council' asked for all present at the awards to remember the passing of two leaders during the year, John Hennebry and Brendan O'Shea. The De La Salle Scout Group would like to thank the Waterford Voluntary Youth Council for all their help and support throughout the year and in particular their Chairman Cathy Hanrahan who, with the Council is keeping the Youth of Waterford City to the forefront with events like the Youth Awards by attracting Guest of Honour Speakers like the Minister.
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Sad Passing of Scouter Brendan O'Shea (4/12/05)
Above: Brendan O'Shea (standing in the back row) with Members of the Ferrybank Scout Troop with the Louis Murphy Trophy after coming third in the 2005 County Shield.
The De La Salle Scout Group wishes to extend it's sincere sympathy to the family, relatives and friends of the late Brendan O'Shea who passed away recently after a period of illness. Brendan who was the Group Leader of the Ferrybank Scout Group was one of the great leaders of scouting in Waterford City and was also a former member of the De La Salle Scout Group.
Above: Brendan O'Shea pictured playing the bass drum with the De La Salle Scout Pipe Band.
Maurice Kavanagh to receive the Chief Scout's Award (29/10/05)
Congratulations to Maurice Kavanagh of the De La Salle Venturer Group and formally of the 7th De La Salle Scout Troop who has been informed by the Chief Scout, Martin Burbidge that he is to be awarded the Chief Scout's Award. Scoutleader Billy Collins expressed his delight that Maurice would be the second member from the troop to receive the award this year after his brother also received the accolade in March. Billy added "The Kavanaghs have a long and proud history of involvement in De La Salle and it is great to see them continuing to achieve such heights in scouting". David Rogers, Group Leader also expressed his congratulations to Maurice and the Kavanagh family on behalf of the entire group. Maurice's project was on "The Law" and the award ceremony will take place on the 17th of December.
Above: Maurice Kavanagh photographed while on Corran Tuathail.
Venturers attend the National Black Tie Ball (20/10/05)
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Black Tie Ball Gallery |
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Bestowing of Scouting Ireland Awards (10/10/05)
At the Group Council on Tuesday the 4th of October last a number of Scouting Ireland awards were made. Bro Martin got the Scouting Ireland Community Award on behalf of the De La Salle Order in recognition of almost 80 years of active support and involvement in Scouting by the order with the De La Salle Scout Group. Ray Smith was presented with a Gold Merit Award in recognition of his unique contribution as a scouter over the past twenty years. Gary Sinnott, Assistant Venturer Leader received a 5 Year Service Award as did recently promoted Macaoimh Leader Robert Windle (pictured above). Karen Kenneally, Group Secretary also received a 5 Year Service Award. County Commissioner, Tom O'Neill and Group Leader, David Rogers were on hand to congratulate all on their achievements.
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St. Paul's take the Phoenix Challenge (22/8/05)
Above: St. Pauls celebrate winning the Phoenix Challange at Pallaskenry. Photo David P Barry.
The De La Salle Scout Group would like to extend its congratulations to the team from the St. Pauls Scout Troop that took the top spot at the 2005 Phoenix Challenge. The competition which is the new association's equivalent of the CSI Melvin and the SAI Smythe Cup was held at Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick from the 18th to the 21st of August last. St. Pauls also took the cooking award on what has been heralded as a very successful event. Well done also to the team from the 15th Waterford Sacred Heart who came 25th. Next year's event will be held in the Mournes at the Tollymore Forest Park in Co. Down.
The Big Walk is on the way (19/8/05)
On Sunday the 28th of August next, the people of Waterford will have a unique opportunity to explore the new Waterford City Outer Ring Road by taking part in "The Big Walk". The event is being organised by the De La Salle Scout Group in association with Waterford City Council with the aim of having over 5000 of Waterford’s citizens take part in an official walk of the new road before it is opened to traffic in early September.
Above: Members of the 3rd Scouts in training for The Big Walk on the Outer Ring Road.
Children and families are especially welcome and there is an excellent array of entertainment confirmed including live music from Waterford’s top marching bands, face painting and other street entertainers as well as fun kid’s competitions. There will be stalls selling an array of plants, flowers and other goods, refreshment centres and a scout camp kitchen. There will also be displays, activities and entertainment provided by scouts from across the Waterford Scout County. A blessing of the dogs by Waterford’s Father Columbanus which is expected to be very popular will take place near the roundabout on the Old Tramore Road at 5.15pm on the day. Finally, the register of the first citizens of Waterford to officially walk the route will be taken at the Big Walk marquee near the roundabout on the Old Tramore Road. This register will be presented to the mayor and the city council for preservation with the city’s historical records.
Above: The new bridge carrying the Lacken Road over the Outer Ring Road.
There is no charge for taking part in this event but any donations from the on route entertainment will go towards the development fund of the De La Salle Scout Group. The Group are planning to develop a new Scout Centre at a green field site at Gracedieu in the north west suburbs of Waterford City in 2008. It is hoped that the people of Waterford City will turn out in their thousands to see their city from an angle from which they never saw it before, take part in a piece of their city’s history and support one of Waterford’s oldest and finest youth organisations. Our Big Walk page will have more details as they are available.
USA Explorer Belt Success (18/7/05)
Congratulations to John Cummins and Patrick McCormack
of the De La Salle Venturer Group (pictured above) who successfully completed this year's
Venturer Explorer Belt that took place in the USA from the 29th of June to the 16th of July.
The basic elements of the Explorer Belt are a 10 day hike, covering 200 km, while living on a limited budget and completing a number of projects along the way. The aim of the Explorer Belt is to get to know a different culture from your own, and the method is to meet people from the country concerned and learn about their way of life, their traditions and customs.
There is a selection of the photos they they took during the event on our Gallery page and there is loads of information about the Explorer Belt at www.explorerbelt.com.
Pipe Band partake in Tall Ships Festival (16/7/05)
The Tall Ships Festival took place in Waterford from the 6th to the 9th of July last when the city hosted the start of the race involving 87 magnificent vessels. The De La Salle Scout Pipe Band was one of only three city bands to participate in the Tall Ships Crew Parade on the Thursday of the festival. They came together with the Waterford City Pipe Band and the Thomas Francis Meagher Fife and Drum band from the Yellow Road. The Indonesian Naval Band also participated with their fantastic band. There are more pictures on our Gallery page. Meanwhile Deirdre Guilfoyle was on board the magnificent Europa and piper Miriam Butler was a crew member on another of the superb ships for the first leg of the race from Waterford to Cherbourg. Both described their voyages as brilliant experiences.
JD Hally - Ar Dheis De go raibh a h-anam (14/7/05)
The De La Salle Scout Group wishes to extend it's sincere sympathy to the family, relatives and friends of the late J.D. Hally who passed away recently after a period of illness. J.D. (Jim) Hally was a former Chief Scout of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and also a retired Waterford County Engineer. A native of Clonmel who resided for many years in Dungarvan, J. D. will be remembered most for his passionate involvement with CBSI to which he gave a veritable lifetime of service.
Predeceased many years by his wife Mary, Jim is survived by his sons Brendan and Jimmy, his daughter Marianne, and many other relatives including his beloved grandchildren. To all of them sincerest sympathy is extended.
County
Website and County Badge Launched
(30/6/05)
We have just received news that the new Waterford Scout County website is up an running. The website will feature news and information on all groups and sections in the county as well as a gallery, resources page and a guestbook. The website is just getting established and would gratefully receive any suggestions for items you'd like to see there or if you have any articles, logs or photos from county events let them know. The address is www.waterfordscoutcounty.com.
The official badge of the Waterford Scout County was also launched at the recent County Challenge weekend at Inistiogue. Participants in the event became the first ever recipients of the badge which will be available for sale through group leaders. The badge design which is shown above features the three ships which is a part of the Waterford City emblem and also the Round Tower of Ardmore to represent County Waterford.
County Challenge Weekend Held (24/6/05)
The second Waterford Scout County Challenge Weekend took place from the 17th to the 19th of June last at Inistiogue in Co. Kilkenny. Well done to our two scout troops who took part in what was a very enjoyable weekend. The 7th won the award for the best photo log of the weekend while Stephen O'Rourke of the 3rd received the accolade of best PL of the competition. The overall event was won by St. Pauls who also took the Regional Shield. A full account and lots of photos are available on our Scouting page.
Above: Members of the 7th pictured during the construction of their ballista during the County Challenge Weekend.
Successful Cuillin Ridge Traverse (15/6/05)
Above: The wild grandeur of the Cuillin Ridge on Skye.
The Cuillin Ridge in Skye is the most famous mountaineering expedition in Britain and takes in 3000 metres of ascent spread along ten kilometres of spectacular mountain scenery. There are no less than nineteen separate peaks on the ridge including eleven munros and there is a significant amount of technical ground to traverse. The ridge was completed by Assistant Scoutleader in the 3rd, Colm Ennis and his brother, Group Mountaineering Consultant, Aidan Ennis on the 7th of June last. They bivvied on the first peak the previous evening and after a 4.30am start the next morning, reached the final peak of Sgurr nan Gillean, thirteen and a half hours later. They described the ridge as outstanding and unlike any other mountaineering expedition they had ever undertaken. You can read the account of their traverse here.
Above: Sunset looking back towards Loch Brittle as seen from Gars-bheinn.
7th Scouts scoop Community Award at Hulabaloo (8/5/05)
Above: Darragh, Graham and Patrice Power ASL with the go cart in John Roberts Square.
Well done to the 7th De La Salle Scout Troop which scooped the top award in the community section of the recent Hulabaloo Go Cart race in Waterford City. The cart was designed using pioneering timber and bamboos and of course had a survival bag for a sail. It was piloted by the ever trusty Graham Kerr and there are more photos on our Gallery page.
Departure
of Provincial Commissioner
(8/5/05)
The South East Provincial Commissioner Derrick Watson has stepped down. The De La Salle Scout Group would like to wish him well and thank him for all his efforts in setting up the Provincial Structure and the running of the Province once the new Association became established. We wish him the very best in all his scouting in the future.
Charity Swim raises much needed funds (3/4/05)
Well done to Kate Hayes from the De La Salle Venturer Group who organised a very successful fundraising swim in Tramore recently. The swim was part of her preparations for her forthcoming trip to Texas with the Chief Scout's contingent. Kate collected €400 for her efforts and the Charity she is giving the money to is the Siberian Children's Fund which will go towards buying a wheelchair for a paralysed 10 year old boy who is currently housebound. Well done to all those who braved the spring sea temperatures.
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Group
welcomes new leader
(1/4/05)
Mr. Declan Kelly of the 17th Waterford St. Pauls has finally joined the De La Salle Group. Speaking at his investiture, Decky as he is better known, cited stress caused by the refurbishment of the St. Pauls hall and the fact that De La Salle is indeed Ireland's greatest scout group as the main reasons for the transfer. A comprehensive retraining plan has been put in place which will be supervised by the leaders from the 7th Beaver colony.
John Hennebry - Ar Dheis De go raibh a h-anam (27/3/05)
It is with great sadness and regret that the De La Salle Scout Group announces the untimely death on the 25th of March 2005 of John Hennebry. 'JD' as he was known to us, was an exceptionally dedicated and committed scouter and a very good friend to every leader of the Group. For almost forty years he has been an integral part of De La Salle having come up through the ranks and served as a Macaoimh Leader, Venturer Group Leader, Group Leader from 1998-2003 and most recently as Chairperson of the Parents and Friends Support Group. We will never forget his old van, the cooking, the grub, the driving, the extraordinary trips and journeys, his unsurpassability as Quartermaster on Annual Camp and all of the many great stories of the Group of which he was such a part. We are glad that he was such a part of our lives and are proud that he was 'one of ours'. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and to all those to whom he was a such a good leader and friend.
Above: John Hennebry (4th from the right), amongst friends in the Wicklow Mountains.
Congratulations to New County Commissioner (8/3/05)
Above: Tom O'Neill puzzles some scouts on a Waterford Scout County Fun Weekend.
Founders Day Awards Night (4/3/05)
Above: Michael Kavanagh (7th Scouts) being presented with his Chief Scout's Award.
A Founders Day Awards night was held in the De La Salle School Hall on Friday 4th March at 7.30pm. The Chief Scout, Martin Burbidge presented Michael Kavanagh with his Chief Scout Award. Congratulations to Michael who is also a member of the National Patrol Leaders Council and who was the first member of the 7th Scout Troop to ever receive the award. There were also a number of other awards for other Leaders within the Group on the night. Cú-Chulainn Award Pins were awarded to Liam Butler, former Group Leader, Bro. Finbar O'Keeffe, former Group Leader and Pat Murphy, all of the De La Salle Scout Group. Service Awards were presented to the following leaders: John Burke 5 Year Service Award, Member of the Venturer Leadership Team; Ken Rouse 5 Year Service Award, Member of the 7th Scout Troop Leadership Team and Paul Moran 5 Year Service Award, Member of the 3rd Beaver Colony Leadership Team. Bryan Butler received a 10 Year Service Award as a Former Member of the Cub Leadership Team. Ian Sinnott of the 3rd Scouts and Ray Smith of the 3rd Beavers both received 20 Year Service Awards.
Above: The Kavanagh family with the Chief Scout, Martin Burbidge, Bro. Finbarr and Billy Collins.
A Gold Merit Award was presented to John Hennebry for his dedicated service to Scouting in the De La Salle Scout Group. Thanks Awards were presented to the following members of the Parents & Friends Support Committee: John Sharpe Snr, Nancy Sharpe, Helen Parle, Helen O'Keeffe, Eily Murphy and Helen Butler (collected by Bryan Butler on her behalf). Ms. Cathy Hanrahan, Waterford Voluntary Youth Committee presented the Young Leaders Award to Robert Windle of the De La Salle Scout Pipe Band. Well done to all recepients. We also presented the Chief Scout with a piece of Waterford Crystal (what else!) and presented Cathy Hanrahan of the V.E.C. with a 'framed' neckerchief and group badge.
Above: Michael Kavanagh with his Scoutleader Billy Collins after receiving his award.
De La
Salle Venturers bound for the USA (15/2/05)
Congratulations to Kate Hayes of the De La Salle Venturer Group who has been accepted to go to Texas with the Chief Scout's contingent which will be headed out there over the summer. Well done also to John Cummins and Patrick McCormack have been accepted for the Venturer Explorer Belt that is also going to the USA this year. The Explorer Belt is taking place from the 29th of June to the 16th of July.
The basic elements of the Explorer Belt are a 10 day hike, covering 200 km, while living on a limited budget and completing a number of projects along the way. The aim of the Explorer Belt is to get to know a different culture from our own, and the method is to meet people from the country concerned and learn about their way of life, their traditions and customs.
Above: Pat O'Connor on an impressive Abington Spring Bridge.
County Venturers on Ireland's highest peak (23/01/05)
Above: Members of the Waterford Scout County Venture Scout Group on the summit of Ireland's highest mountain - Corran Tuathail (1038m).
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Corran Tuathail Expedition Gallery |
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Previous Group News stories are available
on our Group News 2004
and Group News 1998-2003 pages.
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