Mr Dingwall Community Centre wins Employee of the Year Award

The popular Gaelic-speaking caretaker at Dingwall Community Centre – Donald MacAskill -  has been chosen as The Highland Council’s Employee of the Year.
 
Donald, from Harris, received his recognition at the Council’s Quality Awards, which were held on Tuesday night at the Aros Centre, Portree.
 
He was nominated by Education Culture and Sport Services as well as local councillor Margaret Paterson and centre users.
 
According to his proposers, Donald IS Dingwall Community Centre.  They described him as an inspirational character who takes a huge pride in his work, keeping the centre spotlessly clean and encouraging community groups to feel at home.
 
Donald also works at Dingwall Primary School where he runs the Gaelic Homework Club and over the years has helped run the local Gaelic Youth Club.
 
His manager, Diane Agnew, said:  “Donald takes great pride in his work. Nothing is too much trouble. He is always a pleasure to work with. Not only is he an excellent example of an outstanding employee but he is an excellent example of a good citizen for the contribution he makes to community life in Dingwall."
 
Also short-listed for Employee of the Year were Donald John MacLeod, Quality Development Officer, and Moira Grant, Senior Service Point Officer, Inverness.
 
Ross-shire was also to the fore in the Community Council Commendations.  Winners were the community warden team serving Alness and Invergordon. James Sanderson, Duncan MacFarlane and Beth Hamilton work as a close knit team in housing estates in the two communities.
 
Barbara Sutherland, Secretary of Alness Community Council, highly commended the team.
 
She said: “The trio are doing a tremendous job, working well with young and old and most importantly making a difference to the lives of residents by making them feel safer.  There is a significant reduction in litter and vandalism and an improvement in behaviour. And they have encouraged greater community involvement. They are doing a great job and richly deserve this recognition.”
 
Other members of staff nominated were Catherine Devlin, Senior Service Point Officer in Skye and Lochalsh and John Clark, roads and community works officer, based in Bonar Bridge.
 
The awards were sponsored by Zurich Municipal, Barkers and Bord Na Gaidhlig.

Categories winners were: -
 
Representing the Highlands: 
Fortrose Academy – A Global Dimension in the Curriculum
 
Working with Communities and Partners:
Parents on the Ball, Ross and Cromarty
 
Improving Quality of Life: 
Streetwork Inverness Homelessness Outreach Project
 
Being Open Fair and Accountable:
Deaf Communication Project 
 
Delivering Services Effectively: 
Highland Libraries – Using ICT
 
Valuing and Involving Staff:
Teacher Training: Building our Future – Housing Building Maintenance
 
Chairman’s Award:
Training Matters – Finance Service
 
 
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