“ We are like a family ; there ’ s always someone on hand to help you when you need it . The goodwill of other members is with you during difficult times in life .”
Above : Membership Secretary and Treasurer Philomena Gonnelly
Below : Recovered bollards , reported to the Receiver
NI . Unfortunately , these incidents in local inland waters , canals and out at sea rarely have a successful outcome , but members have always responded to an incident when asked .
Kevin Pollard and Gerry Brown have been recognised for this by way of an award from the police . In years gone by , Jimmy Lyons , John O ’ Hanlon and the late Liam Ferguson received BSAC awards for search and rescue .
It sounds like you are a close group of buddies …
We are like a family ; there ’ s always someone on hand to help you when you need it . The goodwill of other members is with you during difficult times in life .
There are a number who deserve a special mention but none more so than lifetime members and mentors Gerry Brown and Jimmy Lyons . These two are stalwarts of our club .
And last , but not least , treasurer and membership secretary Phil Gonnelly has served the club for 25 years . She threatens to step down every year , but always manages to hunker down for “ one more year ”. The club will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023 and Phil is adamant that this is when she will finally hand over the reins . What makes her so very special is that she is not a diver . She qualified as an Ocean Diver some years ago , but in her own words diving is not for her ; nevertheless , she continues to volunteer for us tirelessly . �
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