Castlemilk honoured its volunteers at a packed awards ceremony in the Community Centre on the evening of the hugely successful Family Fun Day.

Presided over by Christine Devine, who has just retired after 15 years as Councillor for Glenwood, the event organisers sprang a great surprise on the former Deputy Lord Provost. She was presented with the John Miller Lifetime Achievement Award.

Right up till that moment she did not know who was to receive the special accolade.

Margaret Millmaker listed all the things that Christine spelt out to the community. ‘She is Caring; gave us Hope; fought for people’s Rights; uses her Initiative; has great Strength; is very Thoughtful; has lots of Energy;  Never let us down and Everyone thanks you for all you’ve done for the community and wishes you a long and happy life.’ She then introduced a video showing the Rev John Miller outside the Birgidale complex. He said the centre began as an idea of Christine’s and was now a hub for the community. ‘I’m sorry I’m unable to be present at the ceremony to give the plaque to Christine himself. But I know this Lifetime Achievement Award is going to the right person,’ he said. ‘She has been a wonderful servant of the community and an example to all.’

For once in her public life, Christine was left speechless. ‘This has been a well-hidden secret,’ she uttered as she wiped tears from her eyes. She pledged to donate the £100 she received to the Lost Lives Memorial Project which organises the Flowers on the Railings event.

‘You can imagine how I’ve had to duck and dive to keep this award a secret from Christine who was on the awards and fun day committee!’ said Fiona McGovern Chair of the Castlemilk Family Day Steering Group. Following the demise of the Castlemilk Forum which previously organised these events, she took up the co-ordination role as a volunteer herself. But Fiona works for Cassiltoun Housing Association which is on the Steering Group and on the evening, she acknowledged their great support.

The other people whose contributions to Castlemilk were acknowledged were: William Coleman of Castlemilk Youth Bridge was Young Volunteer of the Year.

Anna Stuart of Cassiltoun Housing Association who led the fight to retain the Stables blocks was Volunteer of the Year who is a resident of Castlemilk.

Maureen Douglass of the Jeelie Piece Club was declared Volunteer of the Year who comes from outwith Castlemilk and whose work benefits Castlemilk.

Maureen commented afterwards, ‘You don’t volunteer to get awards like this. A person learns so much by volunteering and these volunteers are Castlemilk’s strength. They represent the real community spirit and purpose.’

William admitted he was ‘gobsmacked’ to be given his award. About to leave Castlemilk High School for Langside College and a career in Social Care, he said, ‘I enjoy seeing young people progress and develop. That’s why I’ve been a volunteer at the Youth Bridge for the past five years.’ He’s also been a youth worker two nights a week working for Glasgow City Council’s projects in St Oswald’s School and John Paul 2nd’s.

Maureen has been 12 years at the Jeelie which is a centre for children and their parents. ‘My friend put my name down as a volunteer and I liked it and stayed,’ she added. ‘It is now so big it has had to be formalised and we bring in people with specialist skills like accountancy. There are new challenges and the organisation is a big, big responsibility for local people to take on.’

During the evening Anna Stuart told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘A family fun day like today brings people together and that’s very important. Kids enjoy themselves. Young people are learning to do something for themselves because they want to and it all helps the community to flourish.’

As Chair of the Cassiltoun Trust which has worked with Glasgow Buildings Preservation Trust to revive the B listed Georgian Stables buildings and turn them into useful space, she said the stables block would open soon. ‘It has taken nine years to get to this point and has cost £4 million. Christine’s help was invaluable when she was on the Council.’ The Stables will become headquarters for Casselltoun Housing Association and Castle Stewart Local Housing Organisation which has spun out of the GHA. In addition a nearby block of new flats will provide homes for 28 people who need supported accommodation.

Each award winner received £100 sponsored by Cassiltoun, Ardenglen, Craigdale, Castle Stuart, Castlemilk Tenants and Thenew Housing Associations. Previous winners of the awards did the presentations and included: Margaret Millmaker, Isa Bryer, Miss Betty Ireland and Nicola Corral.  All were given a bouquet of flowers. Among the organisations which booked tables for the evening were North View Housing Association, Budgeting Services, Castlemilk Credit Union, City Building. Ladbrokes, Castlemilk Timebank, Jissen Karate Club and WAVES (Domestic Violence Project).