Cobh Catalyst Network Meeting – AGM 2012

40 ladies departed from the Department of Defence Pier in Cobh last Tuesday evening, 24th April for the first AGM of the Cobh Catalyst ladies networking group which was held at the Naval Base in Haulbowline. This venue was deemed to be very fitting during the month of April as Cobh commemorates the Titanic. The ladies enjoyed the trip to the island which gave everyone a chance to enjoy the splendid views of Cobh and the harbour area. The group were met off the launch by Lieutenant Commander Roberta O Brien who acted as hostess for the event. Commander O Brien escorted the group through the base to the officers ward room where everyone enjoyed light refreshments before the meeting began.

Chairperson of the group, Anne Moroney, opened the meeting and extended a warm welcome to all present. She congratulated any members whom had been directly involved with the Titanic 100 commemoration week on all of their work and for helping to put Cobh on the map. Anne explained that she wanted to get the formal business of the evening over with quickly in order to proceed with the more exciting plans of the night. The chairperson’s report was read which included a summary of the past very successful events.

Anne paid special tribute to all of the work carried out by Sally Donegan, Kathleen Geary, Mary Mc Caffrey and Avril Quinn who are all members of the steering group. Due to other commitments Mary Mc Caffrey is forced to step back from the steering group but has confirmed that she will definitely remain a member of Cobh Catalyst. Anne also thanked Sinead Conroy of SECAD who is also a member of the steering group for all of her input and support. SECAD are partners with Cobh & Harbour Chamber in the Catalyst project. Sinead was happy to share that she was very grateful to the Cobh steering group for all their work and congratulated them on the successes of the past year.

Anne introduced the speaker for the night who was deemed to be a very apt speaker as she was the first woman to command a naval vessel namely, Lieutenant Commander Roberta O’Brien. Lieutenant Commander Roberta O’Brien is from the Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary, but has strong family connections to the naval service. Her mother is Roberta Mc Keown from Haulbowline Island. When Lieutenant Commander O’Brien joined the navy she opted for being a deck officer rather than an engineer, so that she could one day command a ship which she did when she took control of the LE Aisling in November 2008. Lieutenant Commander Roberta O’Brien, Ireland’s first female commander of a naval vessel, was the overall Cork Woman of the Year winner last November.
Commander O Brien organised a very interesting tour of the L.E. RÓISÍN for the group which was followed by a presentation on the work carried out and the services provided by the navy. Following Roberta’s lively & interesting presentation and as an expression of gratitude Kathleen Geary made a presentation to Roberta. Kathleen is a very active member of the Cobh Catalyst steering group and had played a huge part in organising the event. Kathleen presented Roberta with a piece of handmade jewellery which was made by Catalyst member Barbara Hall. Both Kathleen & Anne thanked Roberta most sincerely for allowing the group to descend onto the island and also for all of her help in organising the event.

Anne Moroney closed the meeting by thanking all concerned for making the night a huge success and encouraged everyone to keep coming back to the meetings for motivational, networking and social reasons. Everyone in attendance received a beautiful printed shopping bag which was filled with goodies. Anne especially thanked the business who had provided sponsorship for the night by donating towards the gift bags and a raffle: Denis Murphy, BMC, Sandra O Shea, Trade Winds, Valerie & Michael Greaney, Cobh Physiotherapy Centre, Avril Quinn, CV Doctor.

Everyone enjoyed some more refreshments in the officers’ mess whilst waiting to be transported back to Cobh. Member Sarah O Connor entertained the group at the end of the night with her beautiful piano playing and closing out the night on a positive note!

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