13/10/16
PRESENTATION TO EILEEN
On Friday 7 October the Green school’s committee presented Eileen Murphy from Ballon Business Centre with a gift voucher to thank her for all her help over the years. They also presented her with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Parents Association. Pictured here at the presentation are members of the Green School’s committee along with teacher Bernie Mullins and Eileen Murphy.
7/10/16
EILEEN BOWS OUT
Eileen Murphy, Manager of Ballon Business & Training Centre retired on Friday 7 October. She was appointed Manager of the Computer Training Centre in Ballon in April 2001 by the then Ballon/Rathoe Development Association (BRDA). Eileen, during her time, organized and ran many and various computer courses to which people, not alone from the local area but from many of the surrounding counties and even further afield, attended.
When BRDA ceased to exist in 2003 BBTS was formed and Eileen took over the running of the office services as well. This meant extra work where Eileen did many various office services and she also established a Bookkeeping and Payroll Service for local business which to this day is very successful.
In 2010 funding was secured to refurbish The Old School from Carlow County Development Partnership and this added an extra training room with a demonstration kitchen where all kinds of craft, cookery and various other classes are held on a daily basis. Eileen also secured further funding from Carlow County Development Partnership for ten new laptops and two interactive whiteboards which makes training in these rooms very easy. With the laptops she was able to send the tutor out to businesses to train on their own premises.
The application to become a QQI Accredited (formally FETAC) in 2010 was successful and so more courses in QQI Payroll, Bookkeeping and Computer Courses were added. Eileen established many connections with the various funding organisations, Community Employment Scheme Supervisors, various businesses and many of the local organisations as well as people in general for which she provided a training and office service. Down through the years Eileen has established a great working relationship with Carlow Kilkenny Education and Training Board and as a result they have funded a variety of courses and are at present funding 36 people who are studying in Ballon Training Centre for a Major Award in Horticulture, Ballon is the ideal centre for this training as we have use of the local community school garden and Malones Fruit Farm for the practical training aspect of the course.
Eileen ran the centre with great efficiency and with great pride in her work doing many jobs outside her remit. Along with the community in general we wish her well in the future.
JULIE APPOINTED MANAGER
Julie O’Connor, Ballylean, Ballon has been appointed manager of Ballon Business & Training Centre to replace the retiring Eileen Murphy. Julie takes up her role immediately and she is wished the best in her new position.
Submitted by Michael Dawson 6/10/16