Leisure stars take a bow
Accolades awarded to council sports staff
The stars have been out in force at the annual Renfrewshire Leisure staff awards bash.
A host of accolades were handed out to the best of local sports staff at the Star Awards ceremony at Johnstone Town Hall.
Hosted by Clyde 1 radio presenter Gina McKie, the extravaganza recognised those working in local sports centres, swimming pools, libraries, museum and community halls.
Among the awards presented was the Chief Executive’s Award for Outstanding Achievement, which was presented to Colin Pratt, Renfrewshire Leisure’s cultural venues development manager.
The Team of the Year Award went to Johnstone Town Hall Operations team – which is made up of Jennifer Ann Northcote, Karen Pattison, Donald Hampson, Tracy Weir, Colin Smith, Geraldine Smith, Carol Harris and Katie Sweeney.
And tribute was paid to popular leisure manager Gerry Noble, who sadly died earlier this year.
A new award, called The Noble Award for Young Achievers, was created in his memory and was presented to marketing support assistant Graham Barr.
Three members of staff were also commended for their acts of heroism in helping save people’s lives when they were off duty.
The first of those was Natalie Stewart, who helped rescue a woman who had fallen into the River Cart in Paisley, and held on to her before the emergency services arrived.
The second was Steve Truesdale, who gave first aid to a young boy who had been knocked down, while waiting for an ambulance to arrive .
The third was Carol Doyle, who was closing Renfrew’s Victory Baths one night and noticed a man collapsed on the street.
She used a defibrillator, which was kept near the pool, on him before paramedics arrived.
Newly- elected leader of Renfrewshire Council, Iain Nicolson, and new chairperson of the Renfrewshire Leisure Board of Trustees, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, were guests at the awards ceremony.
Renfrewshire Leisure chief executive Joyce McKellar said the Star Awards were about recognising the contribution staff make to the local community.
She said: “Our most important asset is our staff, as they are vital to provide a first class sports, leisure and cultural service to the public.
“It’s only right that we pay tribute to those who give so much to the people of Renfrewshire and go above and beyond the call of duty.”