THE stars of the South East shone as the brightest residents and community groups came together for the Community Champion awards.
Hosted by new Lord Provost Sadie Docherty, at Polmadie Fire Station, groups and individuals as diverse as a primary school class, Girls' Brigade leaders and football teams were cheered for their community spirit.
But no matter how different each group was they had one thing in common – they deserved to be recognised for their excellent work.
The Winners
Each of our eight winners was praised for improving lives in Langside, Battlefield, King's Park, Mount Florida, Cathcart, Simshill, Croftfoot, Castlemilk, Carmunnock, Pollokshields West, Pollockshields East, Greater Gorbals, Shawlands, Strathbungo, Toryglen and Govanhill.
The first prize presented– by Lord Provost Docherty – was the team award.
Finalists included Castlemilk Youth Diversionary Programme, Cosgrove Care's Supported Employment Team, Oatlands Community Resource Centre and Urban Roots Volunteer Group. And the winner was...
Cosgrove Care's Supported Employment Team, which helps people with learning disabilities through work experience, training opportunities and employment.
Next up, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's Garry Milne presented the Individual Award.
From a shortlist of Bessie Anderson, Stuart Munro and Rizwanna Saeed, Castlemilk High School Information Technology teacher Stuart took the top prize.
Stuart Munro of Castlemilk High School presented by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Area Commander Garry Milne
A delighted Stuart said the awards were important to show young people that older members of the community were important too.
The teacher said: "I am delighted to win but the award is a team effort. I come up with the ideas but it's my head teacher, Diane O'Neill, who lets me get on with them.
"I feel it's really important for young people to see older people being recognised for their community work – middle aged people like me and pensioners – and for them to see that all ages are important in a community."
GHA chairman Gordon Sloan then took the podium to announce the winner of the Public Service Award.
The category saw Alan Duncan, of the Dementia Care Project, compete against the Jeely Piece Club, Maria Kelly of Shawlands Academy and Irene Wallace of St Bride's Primary School.
And the Jeely Piece Club were the delighted winners.
The Jeely Piece Club presented by GHA Chairman Gordon Sloan
Sandra Welsh, senior play and outdoor development worker at the Castlemilk-based charity, said: "We have three different departments working at the Jeely Piece Club and it's great that we have all been nominated."
Councillor Soryia Siddique announced the winner of the Uniform Services Award.
The category was dominated by members of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, with both Gary McCracken and Fiona Herriot shortlisted.
Fiona, who took first prize, said: "I am pleased to have won, really happy, though I am just doing my job."
Fiona Herriot of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue presented by Councillor Soryia Siddique
Strathclyde Police Chief Superintendent Andy Bates then took his turn on the stage to hail the winner of the Health and Wellbeing Award.
It was a closely-fought battle between Castlemilk Craft Cafe, Help Yourself Grow Experience and The Saturday Cafe & Associated Clubs with the Craft Cafe emerging victorious.
Castlemilk Craft Cafe presented by Strathclyde Police Chief Superintendent Andy Bates
Accepting the award, Margaret Millmaker, of the Castlemilk Craft Cafe, said: "I wish I'd help set up this group years ago – it's become such a big part of our lives.
"It's amazing, just amazing, to get this recognition."
For the senior award, Councillor Siddique took the stage again, announcing Florence Goudie and Gina Greig of Castlemilk West Parish 74B Girls' Brigade as winners.
Florence Goudie of Castlemilk West Parish Church 74b Girls Brigade presented by Councillor Soryia Siddique
Gina is on holiday in Wales, but Florence proudly collected their award.
The pair announced that after 90 years volunteering between them – 50 years for Florence and 40 years for Gina – they are set to retire.
Florence said: "This award is a nice way to end things. It's lovely. I really thought the other nominees would have won as there are people who have done far more for the community than I have."
Evening Times editor Tony Carlin took his turn to reveal an award winner with the Sport Award. The nominees were Castlemilk Community Football Development Club, D'Dancers and Robert Fox of Croftfoot United Football Club.
Robert Fox , Croftfoot United presented by Evening Times Editor Tony Carlin
Winner Robert said: "I am very pleased to have won. It's important to have events like this in our community to give smaller groups like ours recognition."
Last, but certainly not least, came the Young Award – a competition between teenagers John Gillies and Charles Lang and St Mirin's Primary School – also presented by Mr Carlin.
It was won by St Mirin's, which was recognised for raising more than £7000 for the Children Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).
St Mirin's Primary School pupils
The work of the P2 pupils was made all the more important when one of their classmates passed away in the hospice last June.
Anne McFadden, head teacher of the Cathcart school, said: "The children were very excited to be nominated – but they were even more excited to be coming to a fire station!"
catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk