Congratulations to our friend and fellow Sea Scout

Irish Sailing Association “Volunteer of the Year Awards” 2013

 

Volunteering is a wonderful commitment given by person’s year in and year out. We as leaders in Scouting offer our time and energy to make a difference. It’s this difference, which is of benefit to our community and improves our society. This was recognised recently to one of our members at the ISA 7th Annual Awards Ball, Royal Marine Hotel, Dunlaoghaire.

Eoghan Lavelle, who has volunteered for Scouting for over 60 years had being nominated for his dedication in promoting sailing and water activities to youth members and young and older members of Scouting Ireland .A former Chief Scout and National Commissioner for Sea Scouts in the old Scout Association of Ireland, had spent his sea scouting years in 5^th Port of Dublin (Dollymount) and the 8u Calafort (Monkstown) and now in Dunlaoghaire.

One of his earliest volunteering tasks as a Rover Scout in 1959 with the 5^thPort, volunteered at the request of Cecil Woodman scout leader and Secretary of Malahide Yacht Club to carry out a Hydro graphic survey in Broadmeadow, Malahide so a decision could be made on the waterside site of the newly formed club. A fair amount of preparation was required, and the practical work was undertaken in summer 1959. Pre-set transits taken from Air Corps aerial survey photos (by kind permission) were transferred to 6” OS maps and as Rovers learnt to use a sextant to obtain horizontal angular bearings between pre-chosen fixed points. But of more practical importance, they had the use of an outboard motor – a piece of equipment pretty well unknown to sea scouts at that time. The recordings were so accurate that the Admiralty Charts issued in the UK were amended to include their new findings.

A keen yachtsman that has instructed hundreds of our youth members to a very high standard in seamanship. Eoghan ran for many years a popular coastal navigation course recognised by the ISA first at 66 Lower Lesson Street (SAI headquarters) and later out of 8^th Port’s den on the East Pier in Dunlaoghaire. Scouting members and well known yachtsmen gained their experience at his courses and in 1980 included President of Ireland Patrick J Hillary. Always generous with his time to scouting and his knowledge of seamanship which he passed on willingly to all he met.

At a recent presentation made to Eoghan on his 80^th Birthday it was estimated that over 6,000 members since 1966 have benefited from his contribution. On Saturday night Eoghan was awarded ISA Volunteer of the Year which was presented to him by An Tánaiste Mr.Eamon Gilmore T.D. in front of his family and members of the ISA and Scouting Ireland.

We in Scouting send our congratulations on your award and our thanks from all our past and present members. Go raibh maith agat go leor.

Kevin Rowan