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ROCKWELL COLLEGE UNION GOVERNING BODY
ANNUAL REPORT
2003 / 2004
Introduction
The President and Governing Body of the Rockwell College Union are
pleased to present the 79th Annual Report of the Union. This year’s
aim was to maintain the Union’s stated policy of holding successful
and quality Union events, to initiate a Union-College Fundraising
Program, produce and improve the annual Diary and improve communication
and awareness of the Union through emailing and the Union Website
with both members and non members of the Union. It is also important
to continue to increase awareness of the Union with the Students
in the College through our hosting of the Mock Interviews and Career
Guidance which are organised by the Union and held in the College.
The introduction of so many recent past pupils onto the Governing
Body, in particular from the classes of the 1990’s and including
a past pupil from Class 2002, gave the Governing Body fresh impetus
and drive during the year.
Membership
Brian Kavanagh was appointed Honorary Membership Secretary, succeeding
Barry Sheehan, and has done a huge amount of work throughout the
year in updating membership records. The work done in this area
included full membership audit on members paying subscriptions based
in Ireland and Overseas and included audit on the Bank Statements
together with update of past pupils contact details from those that
attended the Class 1973 Reunion, Annual Business Lunch, London Dinner
and information received from past pupils through various email
mail-shots during the year. This has seen the Unions database of
email addresses increase from 382 in February 2003 up to 650 as
at May 2004, an increase of 70% on last year, and this will allow
next year’s Committee initiate a membership drive . Brian
Kavanagh was ably assisted by Barry Sheehan during the year..
Accounts
This was a very strong year financially with large profits made
on the Functions held. These profits were significantly aided by
sponsorship of the key events with AIB Corporate Banking sponsoring
the Annual Business Lunch and First Active plc sponsoring the Annual
Dinner. Furthermore, the Diary saw an increase in advertising revenue
from advertisements taken by past pupils and contributed a good
profit to the Union’s finances. Postage costs continue to
decrease as the Union relies more on email and less on postage in
communicating with its past pupils. At the end of the year, the
Union donated €1,500 to the Missions, and €45,000 to the
College development programme. Part of the funds donated to the
development programme were raised directly from the Union and partly
through donations made to the Union following request by the President.
Our thanks to Tom Madigan for his excellent work as Honorary Treasurer.
Website
The website continues to be a main focus of the Union, with reports
and photographs of major events held by the Union together with
news on past pupils in their personal, business, academic and sporting
lives. The website is frequently updated with news items and profiles
of past students and membership forms may also be downloaded from
the website. The website and emailing facility are probably the
single most important development in the Union in recent years and
have assisted greatly in the promotion of the Union and its activities.
We are grateful to Diarmaid Ó Conchubhair (Class 2002) for
his support as Webmaster of the Rockwell College Union.
2003/2004 Programme
AGM
The 78th AGM of the Union was held on the 27th May 2003 in Rockwell
and Patrick Curran (Class 1975) was elected President of the Union
and Billy Murphy ( Class 1977) as Vice President , John Duffy (Class
1978) as Second Vice President, Tom Madigan was re-elected Treasurer,
Aishling Gildea was re-elected Hon Secretary and Brian Kavanagh
was elected Hon Membership Secretary.
Prize Day
The President attended at the 139th Rockwell College Prize Day and
on behalf of the Union presented the Student of the Year Award to
Mr Tom Barry. The James Joy Senior Debating Gold Medal was presented
to Ms Emma Coffey and the Thomas McDonagh Literary Award Gold Medal
was presented to Gráinne O’Sullivan. The Denis Jones
Cup, awarded by the Union to the student who achieved the highest
points in the Leaving Certificate in the previous year was awarded
to Ms Sheila M Ryan who achieved 6 A 1’s in her Leaving Certificate
in 2002 and is now studying in University College Dublin.
Various other Union awards were presented at Prize Day and a full
listing of recipients can be found on the Union website.
Our thanks go to the Principal Pat O’Sullivan for the hospitality
afforded the President.
President’s Prize
The Golf Society held the Presidents Prize (Patrick Curran) and
Union Cup at Mount Wolseley GC at the beginning of September and
34 past pupils played. The winner of both the Presidents Prize and
Union Cup was Frank O’Leary (Class 1959) with a score of 39
points with Dick Dunlea (Class 1967) second on 37 points and John
Cahill third on 35 points. Full details including all prize winners
are available on the website. The Union would like to acknowledge
the contribution of Jim Peters and Kevin Prendergast in arranging
the above outing.
Interview Techniques and Mock Interviews
Friday 14th November 2003 saw 12 Union members attend at Rockwell
College to meet with the present 6th Year students. The focus was
on interview techniques to assist the students prepare for real
life situations beyond the school gates. Approx 65 students took
part in the exercise, meeting on a one to one basis, with the past
pupils.
A hand out of “Tips for Successful Interviews” was also
passed to the students prior to the meeting.
Governing Body Members Clodagh Beresford and Jim Holmes are to be
congratulated for their efforts in arranging this event in the College.
Reunions
63 students and 10 members of the teaching staff took part in the
class of 1973 Reunion that took place at the Dundrum House Hotel
on the weekend of Friday and Saturday the 26th and 27th September.
The event was organised by Michael McInerney. The committee are
to be commended for organising such a wonderful weekend. The President
of the Union attended as guest of the Class of 1973.
Munster Dinner
The Munster Dinner took place on 16th October 2003 in the Greenhills
Hotel in Limerick. There were 60 attendees and the Dinner proved
extremely popular with all who attended. There was a good attendance
from the Classes of 1958, 1959, 1964, 1965, 1975 and 1979 but recent
past pupils in attendance included former Irish Rugby Internationals
Michael Fitzgibbon (Class 1982) and Jack Clarke (Class 1985). The
event yielded €300 profit. On behalf of the Union, The President
Patrick Curran presented the President of the College Fr Sean Broderick
C.S.Sp. with a Montage of the 5 Holy Ghost Colleges in Ireland which
was prepared by Fr Alo Flood C.S.Sp. Thanks to Gay Mangan for organising
such a successful event.
Business Lunch
The Annual Business lunch took place in the Shelbourne Hotel on
the 28th November 2003. The Guest Speaker was Dr. Gerard Mc Mahon
(Class 1975), Lecturer in the Facility of Business at the Dublin
Institute of Technology and a renowned national expert in the area
of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management. The event
was sponsored by AIB Corporate Banking to the sum of €2,000,
and was an outstanding success, with 81 attendees, a record attendance.
The raffle produced €1,100 and an overall profit of €3,644.07
was made on the event. Congratulations to Mark Smyth and his Committee
for running such a successful function
Annual Mass
The Annual Mass for deceased past pupils of Rockwell and their families
was held in St. Mary’s on 30th November, and there were about
40 attendees. The Rockwell Choir conducted by Fr. Peter Raftery
attended at the Mass. Thanks to Fr. Sterling and Risteard O’Colmain
for compiling lists of the deceased, and also to Fr. Broderick for
officiating at the Mass.
President’s Dinner
The President’s Dinner took place in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis
Club on 9th December 2003, and was attended by the Governing Body,
Past Union Presidents and Past Presidents of the College. Our thanks
go to the Immediate Past President of the Union Brian Goff (Class
1976) arranging such an enjoyable evening.
Diary
675 diaries were posted just before Christmas, with a total of 900
diaries being distributed in total. The Diary made a profit of €3,660.
Once again this year’s diary was a hugely successful publication
and is welcomed by members of the Union for the information contained
which includes list and contact details for all members of the Union,
a Classified Directory of Occupations of members, list of Advertisers
and Sponsors, together with various information on the College and
Union. It is distributed free of charge to all members of the Union.
Jim Holmes and the other members of the Diary Committee are to be
congratulated on their great work.
London Dinner
The London Dinner took place in the Mountbatten Hotel, Covent Garden,
on 5th March 2004. 67 people attended, again a record attendance
It was a very enjoyable night and a feature of the evening was the
number of more recent past pupils attending for the first time.
Our thanks to Pat Mulcahy (Class 1969) for organising this event.
Union – College Fundraising
€35,000 has been raised to date by the Union for the Rockwell
College Development Fund. Future projects to be undertaken include
replacement of all classroom furniture in the College, development
of new classrooms, upgrading the library and dormitories, upgrading
of computer equipment, etc and development of a modern IT lecture
& presentation theatre, called the “Union Room”.
It is hoped the later project will be taken on by the Past Presidents
of the Union who will be asked to contribute towards this project.
The Union are committed to working closely with the College in assisting
with the development programme in the College . The funds raised
this year, which total €45,000 including contribution made
directly by the Union, will be used to undertake furniture replacement
in the College of approximately 50% of all classroom desks before
the next academic year commences in September 2004.
Annual Dinner
The Annual Dinner was held on the 26th March 2004 in the Shelbourne
Hotel, Dublin, and was sponsored by First Active Plc. (€4,000).
The night was very successful with a record number of 302 attendees
and included large attendance from the Class Years of 1991, 1990,
1989, 1984 and throughout the 1970’s as well as large attendance
from Class 1969, 1965, 1964, 1961 and 1959. Special features this
year included a table of past pupils who had represented Ireland
Schoolboys in rugby and a table of teachers from Rockwell College.
It is especially worth mentioning all past pupils who travelled
from throughout the country and the UK to be present but special
mention must go to Francis Cristiani and Pierre Gauffe (Class 1945)
who travelled from Paris, former President of the Union Paddy O’Dwyer
who travelled from the Canaries and former Irish Schoolboy International
John Riordan (Class 1984) and Paul Cahill (Class 1975) who travelled
from the United States to be present. Unfortunately, due to the
large attendance and limitations on seating in the Hotel, some past
pupils who had not pre paid were turned away at the entrance.
On the night Gay Mangan (Class 1959), G. Quinn (Class 1965), A.
Butler (Class 1961) and Fr. Noel Redmond C.S.Sp. were awarded Honorary
Membership of the Union in recognition of the enormous contribution
they have made to both the Union and Rockwell College over the years.
The Rockwell Person of the Year Award went to former Student of
the Year and current President of the Royal College of Surgeons
in Ireland, Dr. Michael R. Butler (Class 1959).
The dinner made a profit of approximately €4,000.
A very special thanks is due to Yvonne Kennedy and her hard working
Dinner Committee for organising such a hugely successful event.
Annual Retreat
Once again the Annual Retreat was organised by Risteard O’
Comlain. The Retreat took place on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
Fr. Joseph D;Ambrosio and Sister Hilary Lyons gave talks during
the retreat and all attendees found it to be an enjoyable experience.
Thanks to the Community for the accommodation and hospitality shown
to all.
Careers Evening
The Union Career Guidance evening took place in the College on Thursday
22nd April 2004. Fifteen past pupils from diverse career backgrounds
and geographical locations attended and spoke top approximately
100 5th Year students, offering advice and general career guidance,
both on a group and individual basis. Gerry Rockingham (Class 1992),
a Dublin based recruitment consultant was the guest speaker for
the Union on the evening.
A special thanks to Jim Holmes and Clodagh Beresford who organised
the evening and to all past pupils who gave so generously of their
time to take part in the evening.
Appreciation
Our sincere thanks to the President of the College Fr. Sean Broderick
C.S.Sp. and Assistant Honorary Secretary Fr. Pat Downes C.S.Sp.
for their support of the Union, and we wish to express our sincere
appreciation to them for making the long journey from Rockwell to
be with us at our monthly Governing Body Meetings in Dublin throughout
the year. Also to Pat O’Sullivan, Principal, Rockwell College,
for his support of the Union and his attendance at both the Business
Lunch and Annual Dinner.
Conclusions
The year has been another extremely successful year for the Union.
All Union functions achieved record attendances and were over booked
in respect of the Annual Business Lunch and Annual Dinner. The inclusion
of Corporate Sponsorship together with the stated aim of running
a small number of select but very successful events has resulted
in a significant profit to the Union which in turn has allowed the
Union make a greater financial contribution to the College. Together
with funds raised independently by the Union towards the development
project, it is pleasing that we can make a financial contribution
of €45,000 to the College.
The Union website and use of e- mailing has heightened awareness
of the Union and it is important that this awareness results in
increased membership of the Union which will allow the Union continue
to lend financial support to the College.
A very special thank you to all on the Governing Body for their
tireless work and support during the year.
Obituary List
The Rockwell College Union note with regret the deaths of past students
during the year, and acknowledges the work of Fr. Edward Sterling
in compiling the list.
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Copyright © 2005 Rockwell College
Union - Last Updated:
Saturday, May 27, 2006 21:43
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