Argyll residents' 'incredible efforts' recognised in New Year's Honours

A number of people from across Argyll have been recognised in the 2021 HM The Queen's New Year Honours' list.

 

Anne S Paterson, Argyll and Bute Council's chief education officer until her retirement last month, has been awarded an OBE for her services to education.

 

Anne started her career as a primary teacher in Park Primary School in Oban, and went on to work for nearly 39 years in delivering education services for young people in Argyll and Bute.

 

Her successes include becoming Scottish Head Teacher of the Year in 2006, and, as head teacher of Inveraray Primary School, leading the creation of a centre for excellence for outdoor learning.

 

Anne, from Minard, said: 'I was lost for words when I heard the news that I had been recognised in the New Year Honours. I have been very fortunate to have spent my career in the area that I love and serving the communities of Argyll and Bute through the education service.

 

'I have worked with some amazing people who have gone above and beyond for the children and young people in the area. This team work has always been core for me and is something I will value for ever.

 

'It is quite a fantastic honour to have been selected and a really special way to mark my retirement.'

 

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, policy lead for education, added: 'Wholehearted congratulations to Anne on this well-deserved award. Anne’s career shows the great opportunities that exist for teachers in Argyll and Bute.

 

'Her successes highlight our progress in making this area an excellent place for young people to learn. Anne’s work in developing outdoor learning is a great example of our drive to identify and progress education opportunities that help young people succeed. Very well done!'

 

Fellow Mid Argyll resident Catherine Paterson, founder of the Dochas Carers' Centre in Lochgilphead, is being honoured with an MBE for her services to healthcare and social care in Argyll and Bute, while Captain Barbara Campbell from Dunoon is to receive an MBE for her work with vulnerable people as master of the charity Jubilee Sailing Trust.

 

"attachment_424990" "aligncenter" "226"] Founder of the Dochas Centre Catherine Paterson initially thought news of her MBE was a hoax

 

Also included in the list were accordionist (Duncan) Fergie MacDonald from Acharacle, who will receive an MBE for his services to Scottish traditional music; former Scottish Rugby president Dee Bradbury, from Oban, who is being awarded an OBE for services to rugby; postmaster Keith John Desmond Rutherford, who is to be awarded a BEM for his services to Colonsay and neighbouring Oronsay; and Christine Campbell, a scientist at Oban's Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), who is to receive an MBE in recognition of her dedication to Europe's largest living culture collection of algae and protozoa (CCAP).

 

Christine, who is also a trade union stalwart at SAMS and has been a guide leader in North Connel since 2000, more recently taking on the role as district commissioner for North Lorn, said her nomination was a surprise.

 

"attachment_423757" "aligncenter" "300"] SAMS scientist Christine Campbell receives an MBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours list

 

‘I was unaware that I had been nominated,' she said. 'When I first heard about the recognition I felt undeserving to be singled out for such an accolade as I am always part of a team. I think of this honour as a reflection of the contributions made by my team workers in CCAP, the Prospect union and Girlguiding Argyll, as all three areas of my activity were part of the case made.'