AN Olympic medallist – and Orangeman – has been recognised for his sporting achievement at this year’s Orange Community Awards.
Coleraine rower Alan Campbell received the esteemed Grand Master’s Award at the annual awards ceremony held in Londonderry on Saturday night, in recognition of his bronze medal success at London 2012.
The oarsman, 29, was just one of a large number of individuals and Lodges to be formally acknowledged by the Loyal Institution for their community outreach and achievements over the past 12 months.
Addressing attendees at the Waterside Theatre via a video message from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – where he is currently in training for the 2016 Olympics – Mr Campbell said he was humbled by the award.
The Grove LOL 648 member said: “It is a great honour to receive this award. The Grand Master’s prize is very, very special and I don’t take it lightly.
“In part, I do have to thank the support I’ve had from my own Lodge in Garvagh, my wife, Juliette, and my mum and dad.”
He added: “I hope with your continued support through to Rio 2016, I’ll not only bring home gold to Coleraine and Northern Ireland - but also for the Orange Order.”
Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson – who personally nominated the sportsman – presented the award to Alan’s parents, William and Jenny.
Paying tribute to the rower, Mr Stevenson said: “We in the Orange Institution were rightly proud to witness one of our own members excel at the highest level on the world stage. Alan’s heroic feat, coming after a rigorous and demanding training schedule, was an inspiration to all of us.”
“Alan is not only a fine ambassador for the Orange Order but also Northern Ireland as a whole.”
The Grand Master also praised the achievements of all nominees at this year’s awards.
He said: “The purpose of the Community Awards is to formally recognise those unassuming Orangemen and women - the ‘unsung heroes’ - for the sterling work they do in the wider community, often quietly under the radar.
“While victors were declared in each of the designated categories, all of the nominees were winners in their own right and are fully deserving of our admiration.
“I would like to personally congratulate each and every one of them for being standard bearers for the Institution as well as in their own communities.”
The Best New Banner Award went to Drumlough Heroes LOL 153 (Rathfriland) for its unique tribute marking the centenary of the Titanic tragedy.
Their new bannerette was painted in honour of a Past Master of the Lodge – Thomas Rowan Morrow – who was the only third class passenger from Ulster to die onboard the famous vessel in 1912.
All seven short-listed banners were painted by local artist William Magowan, who personally received the Banner Painter Award.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS 2013
Grand Master’s Award
Alan Campbell, Grove LOL 648
Best Charity Fundraising Lodge
Winner – Randalstown District LOL 22
Runner-up – Newtownards Ex-servicemen LOL 1952
Outstanding Community Leadership
Joint Winner – Gary Wilson, Dromard LOL 284
Joint Winner – Trevor Lockhart, WJ Marshall Memorial LOL 848
Runner-up – Alan Elliott, McKinley LOL 1539
Individual Community Involvement
Winner – John Thompson, Killultagh LOL 147
Runner-up – Gary Wilson, Dromard LOL 284
Lodge Community Involvement
Lurgaross Orange Heroes LOL 620
Best New Banner
Winner – Drumlough Heroes LOL 153
Joint Runner-up – Loughries True Blues LOL 1948
Joint Runner-up – Cranfield Single Star LOL 907
Banner Painter Award
William Magowan
Chaplains Award
Rev Nigel Reid, Glentimon Sons of William LOL 386
Orange Standard Award
Gerald Topping, LOL 99
Youth Development Award
Gary Hutchinson, Mullabrack Hearts of Steel LOL 1406
Special Merit Award
Winner – Ivan Buchanan, Barron LOL 627
Winner – Gavin Hunter, Magherknock LOL 703
Winner – Rita McCutcheon, Tempo Guiding Star WLOL 210
Musician’s Merit (Group)
Brookeborough Flute Band
Musician’s Merit (Individual)
Winner – Gareth McLees, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band
Runner-up – Keith Little, Markethill Fiddle Orchestra