Month: November 2019

Ann Donaghy OH & PCC

OPC

Meeting of Wednesday 20 November 2019
Speaker; Ann Donaghy. Assistant Director Western Health Care Trust
Topic: Update on Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex [OH&PCC]

Mrs Ann Donaghy with Probus President, Oliver Loughran

The Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex is the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland. The aim from the outset was to bring together under one roof all the services which previously had been scattered in various locations around the town.   All were in need of improved facilities and the new hospital has achieved that.   Mrs Donaghy listed all the services now operating from the new building, starting with four GP Practices and associated Treatment Rooms.   In addition, there is a full range of support services including Radiology, a CT Scanner with room for an MRI Scanner when money becomes available.   Members were keen to acknowledge the excellence of the arrangements for Out-Patients and those being cared for in the Rehabilitation Unit.   There were compliments about the new Pharmacy and Café.   It was of no surprise to those present that following an inspection by the Department of Health, the hospital was given the highest rating.   Plans for the future focus on integrating the services available in OH&PCC and SWA – the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen – to provide total care for people living in the west without the need for referrals to hospitals outside the region.   Mrs Donaghy’s presentation gave rise to many questions and a lively discussion ensued.   She was thanked for a fascination insight into the work of the new hospital by Probus President, Oliver Loughran.

Aiden Quinn: My Life and Times

OPC

Meeting of Wednesday 13 November 2019
Speaker: Club Member Aiden Quinn – My life and times

Aiden Quinn [Left] with Probus President, Oliver Loughran
Aiden’s family home was in the townland of Drumfad, two fields away from the President’s Grant’s historic homestead near Ballygawley. He attended Killeshil Primary School and Omagh Tech before progressing to Loughry Agricultural College in Cookstown. On a visit to Balmoral show in 1963 he was recruited by Fullwood’s who had a stand demonstrating the latest in milking machines. This was the start of a lifetime engagement in the milk industry which led to him setting up his own business in the fitting and maintenance of dairy parlours. Aiden illustrated his talk with slides which showed how milking technology has evolved in the past 50 years. Starting from the time when a bucket plant was installed in the byre, he showed how things had moved on to Herringbone parlours capable of milking large herds of dairy cattle. During his career Aiden did work in France where he fitted out a Goat Milking Parlour and in Saudi Arabia where he installed a Camel Milking Parlour. Today dairy farmers are installing Robot Milking Machines and monitoring the health and wellbeing of each cow using bluetooth technology. Throughout his talk Aiden made constant reference to the loving support he had had from his wife Jean, to whom he accredited much of business success. He was thanked for an engaging and informative talk by Probian Felim O’Neill.

Rotary President addresses November Meeting

OPC

Rotary President addresses Annual General Meeting
The AGM of the Club on Thursday 7th November in the Library was well attended. Mr John Robson, Rotary Club Liaison Officer, chaired the election of officers for 2020. The following were elected; President, Audrey Hodge, Vice-President, Margaret Cummings, Treasurer, Pamela McClelland, Assistant, Marjorie Greening, Secretary, Hazel Richards, Press Secretary, Anne McBain, Health and Safety Officer, Lisa Bullick and Pastoral Care, Cate McCrory and Margaret Scott.
The speaker was Mr John Bimson, President of Omagh Rotary Club, who took as his topic “A 50 year journey though houses we have lived in”. John gave a fascinating insight into “his journey”, from infancy in Newport, Monmouthshire, to childhood years in Yorkshire, to University life in Liverpool and to Northern Ireland where he met his wife Joan. Together they moved to Chorley, near Preston to a property built in the 1860’s with ample space for his love of gardening and being outdoors.
Their most life-changing move was to Wellfield House, Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders. The property dated from 1750 and had been remodelled in 1904. Following extensive renovations John and Joan were approached by the tourist board in nearby Kelso to build on their love of entertaining and accept paying guests in their luxury country home. John vividly recalled many humorous stories from this time. Joan shared with the meeting letters of appreciation from visitors from all over the world. Judging by the comments, guests were very well entertained indeed, enjoying Edwardian Breakfasts lasting well into the day as well as large dinner parties.
Their present home in Newtownstewart is more restful but they continue to enjoy life to the full and continue to enjoy contributing to community life.

Rotary President, John Bimson,with outgoing President, Zoe Reid

Sean Fitzgerald, Small Boat Surveying

OPC

Wednesday 06 November 2019
Speaker, Sean Fitzgerald. Topic: Small Boat Surveys

Sean Fitzgerald [left] with Probus President, Oliver Loughran

Sean Fitzgerald is captain of a Stena ferry operating on the Irish Sea.   Approaching retirement as a Senior Master he undertook a further course of study to become a qualified ship surveyor.   Today he runs his own business [JMF Survey] specialising in small boat surveys.   Sean compared what he does to buying a house. Having seen a property few people would proceed to purchase without a survey.  The same applies to boats;  the cruisers that ply Lough Erne can range in price from £20k to £400k and require a pre-purchase survey to get insurance. Without insurance a boat owner cannot get a berth in a marina and may even be debarred from certain waterways.   Being drunk in charge of a boat is punishable by fines of up to £20k and 2 year’s imprisonment.   To allow a full inspection of the hull, a boat can only be surveyed when out of the water, this being only one of a long list of structures, fixtures and fittings that form part of each survey. Sean also does work for marine insurance companies, surveying boats following collisions and accidents to assess the damage.  More information can be found on the company website https://jmfsurvey.com   He was thanked for his very interesting talk by Probian boat owner, Michael Cooney.