THE CARLTON Shearwater Plaza Hotel in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, was buzzing with excitement and anticipation recently when volunteers from around the country were rewarded for their hard work and dedication throughout 2011 at the HSE Community Games Area, Volunteer and Youth Awards event.

The awards are a celebration of the excellent work and dedication of volunteers from those Areas that have achieved high levels of participation by children in a wide range of sports and cultural activities througout the year.

A special addition to the awards ceremony was the launch by the P.R. committee of the specially designed calendar for 2012.

All the art work on the calendar is the product of the children who took part in the art and modelmaking competitions at the national finals this year.

President, Gerry Davenport, welcomed all to the event and praised them for their efforts in keeping the spirit of Community Games alive. He was delighted with the number of people who attended and welcomed the special guests.

Wexford was represented by David Doyle-murphy from the Clonroche-poulpeasty Area in the youth volunteer section.

Having already come through the ranks as a competitor, David is now giving back to the organisation and has held the role of Youth Officer for the past couple of years, being actively involved in refereeing and taking care of competitions as well as giving of his time at the national finals.

Margaret Mcdermott from the Bannow-ballymitty Area was the winner in the adult volunteer section. Margaret, who has held the position of President for the past number of years, also served a long number of years as Chairperson in Wexford, Secretary in Leinster and Treasurer at national level.

The Area with the best record of participation this year went to Bree-davidstown, who have been in the top placings for the past number of years. Chairperson, Jim Doyle, was on hand to receive the award and he was accompanied by his wife, Clare. County Chairperson, Brendan Byrne, was also in attendance. Congratulations to all.

PROJECT TITLES

Details of the 2012 projects are now available and each Area has been supplied with a copy of same. Rules and further copies can be downloaded from www.communitygames.ie

In the Under-11 category, a team is requested to create their own ideal country and the following aspects must be included in the presentation: the country name, giving a meaningful reason for same; the national flag and a national emblem of the country; currency of the country; language of the country with examples of simple phrases within the language.

The team must also create a fact sheet page for the imaginary country, write short interviews with people from different parts, and they can also include any other elements which they feel may be important in their imaginary country.

In the Under-13 category, 'how can Ireland utilise its natural resources most effectively/efficiently?' is the topic, and here participants must present a project based on how Ireland can most effectively utilise our natural resources.

Projects must refer to the utilisation of one or more of our natural resources in the most effective style so as to benefit both our economy and our environment.

Findings can be presented in the form of written evidence/graphs etc. and supported by additional resources such as photographs.

'A Vision for Ireland 2050' is the topic for the Under-16 category, and here the team must present a project based on what participants view for Ireland in 2050, with a view to education, employment, infrastructure, Community Games and they can include any additonal inserts as they view appropriate for their specific vision.

REMINDERS

Now that some of the indoor events are under way, please remember to download panel sheets from the Community Games website - www.communitygames.ie - and send completed forms to either Eilish Kehoe, Rosewood House, Bulgan, Glynn, Enniscorthy, or Colette Steele, Bulgan, Glynn, Enniscorthy, seven days before the commencement of a game.

A reminder to all Secretaries to send back their completed Area registration forms along with the Area fee of €165.

You cannot proceed with the Games activities unless you are registered, so Areas should attend to this request immediately.

DIARY DATES

Wednesday, December 7: closing date for receipt of entry for the indoor team events, cultural events, projects, handwriting etc. No late entries accepted.

Thursday, December 8: county chess finals in Bellefield (G.A.A. club), Enniscorthy. Registration at 6.30 p.m., with the competition under way at 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 10: county table-tennis finals in Wexford commencing at 2 p.m. (building close to the old fire station).

Sunday, December 11: county cross-country finals in C.B.S. New Ross at 11 a.m.