Galway Advertiser, January 19, 2012. By Una Sinnott

Pictured at the launch were Paddy O’Donnell of St Columba’s Credit Union, Mayor Cllr Hildegarde Naughton, and city manager Joe O’Neill. Photograph by Aengus McMahon

Mayor of Galway Hildegarde Naughton has called on people to submit their nominations for this year’s Mayor’s Awards, saying that all nominees are winners in their own right.

The annual awards honour those who have contributed to the community through voluntary work, and at the launch of the ninth awards this week Mayor Naughton called on the people of Galway to nominate unpaid volunteers for their work in the community in the city.

The sponsorship arrangement for the Mayor’s Awards will see the three credit unions operating in Galway city continue their involvement in these very successful awards.

St Columba’s, Naomh Padraig, and St Anthony’s & Claddagh credit unions have come together as joint sponsors of the Galway City Credit Unions Volunteer of the Year Award, and each of the three is also sponsoring one of the individual awards.

At the launch the Mayor welcomed the continuing commitment of the credit unions as sponsors and praised them for their ongoing support of local communities in tough economic times.

The Mayor’s Awards 2012 will again acknowledge outstanding people and organisations that, through their commitment to participating in unpaid community and voluntary activities, have had a significant impact on the quality of life of their communities in Galway city.

Nominations are invited from people resident in Galway city for individuals or organisations in eight separate categories, namely St Anthony’s & Claddagh Credit Union Arts, Culture, Heritage & Cúrsaí Gaeilge Award, St Columba’s Credit Union Residents and Local Areas Award, Naomh Padraig Credit Union Social and Community Service Award, Business Volunteer of the Year Award, Sports Volunteer of the Year Award, Children and Youth Support Award, Young Volunteer of the Year, and the Galway City Credit Unions Volunteer of the Year Award.

Each award winner will receive a Galway Crystal trophy and a cheque for €700, while all nominees will receive a specially designed certificate at the awards ceremony, which will be held in the Black Box Theatre in April.

The closing date for nominations is Wednesday February 29. Nomination forms are available from City Hall, the credit union branches in the city, or click here to download the nomination form.

Click here to download the Mayor’s Awards Brochure.