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| JJ Porter (right) with Flight Instructor Tony Wade |
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| JJ GETS HIS "WINGS" |
If you ask any 'ham radio' enthusiast they will tell you of the strange transmissions emanating
from Conyngham Road Garage over the last few years. Let us explain. It's not unusual to hear communications containing phrases
such as, "cleared for take off", "affirm" etc. Sometimes an exasperated voice exclaims, "you have missed the runway", or,
"good job it's not an aircraft carrier", or, "you are not flying a 747 now JJ".
Anyone who monitors the Dublin Bus radio frequencies must be clearly confused at this stage.
Let us end the confusion by informing you that one of the drivers in Conyngham Road is a student pilot. Having started flying
Cessna planes in 1997, JJ Porter has continued on a part-time basis since. JJ hails originally from Co. Galway, which
is, of course, still called home for JJ, even though he resides in Dublin on a "part-time" basis.
Currently JJ is waiting to go solo cross-country after completing written examinations in May.Flying
light aircraft is very addictive, but it is a very exciting and rewarding experience. Pilots who gain the Private Pilots Licence
can fly anywhere in the world, and can also undertake various types of aerial work whilst carrying a limited number of
passengers. The Private Pilots Licence leads on to the Commercial Pilots Licence or a Flight Instructor Rating. If anyone
is contemplating taking up flying, be sure to get independent and impartial advice, as some people have had bad experiences.
One thing JJ has noticed is the amount of people in the company who are involved in the
area of aviation; From student pilots. PC pilots, RC pilots, Plane spotters, and aviation ham radio monitors. Perhaps all
these people should form an "Aviation Society" within Conyngham Road specifically or Dublin Bus in general. If interested,
see me (JJ) in Conyngham Road or contact conynghamroad@dublinbus.org .
So returning to the strange radio transmissions from Dublin Bus, JJ will bet you that the people
working in K147 and the Pentagon are still trying to figure out what "poleing" or "poling" (whatever is the correct spelling),
means.
| "CAPTAIN" BOBBY WARD |
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| OFTEN ACCUSED OF PLAYING "A - ROUND" |
Bobby Ward is a foreman in the Maintenace Department of Conyngham Road depot and, this year
(2006), he is Chairman of the Quality Customer Awareness(QCA) team . So what, you say, we all know that, tell us something
we don't know.
Well, Bobby lives in Tallaght, is married to Liz and they have three children. Bobby is Captain
this year of the Eagles Golf Society in Conyngham Road. Before he had to hang up his football boots, Bobby played football
for Marino Athletic and for each of the garages he worked in.
8 years as a mechanic in Donnybrook depot, Bobby started his career with CIE in 1971 and in
1980 was promoted to shift foreman in Clontarf garage, from where he transferred to Conyngham Road in 1987. Bobby's job as
foreman is to liaise between the maintenance and the traffic departments in Conyngham Road, dealing with breakdowns and the
general running of the depot's bus fleet.
As mentioned earlier, Bobby is a keen golfer and would call himself a "full-time" golf
player. Bobby also enjoys photography and would recommend everyone interested in photography to look up the website www.photocritique.com for hints and tips on how to take that perfect photograph. Anyone interested in joining the Eagles Golf
Society can contact Bobby or the Secretary Paul Linehan in the garage or through their email address ( see page on clubs
and societies).
Pictured (right) is Rex Delambaca from the Phillipines. Rex is 26 years of age and has been
working for ISS Ireland Ltd, (contract cleaners to Dublin Bus), for the last three years. Rex is based at Conyngham Road garage,
hence the fact that he has been included in the Team Conyngham Road Depot website. Rex is one of four regular 'Filipinos'
who work at Conyngham Road Depot for ISS. The others are Raymond and his girlfriend Delia. Congratulations to Raymond and
Delia on the birth of their beautiful daughter Chloe in 2005. Also, best wishes to Rex (March 2006) on his promotion to Supervisor
with ISS. Unfortunately for us, Rex has now gone to Summerhill Depot.
Found in the Northern part of the Phillipine Islands in Ifugao is the world famous Banaue
Rice Terraces. ( See picture below).
In the photograph ( below right), you can see the Panglao Island nature resort in Bohol, Phillipines.
There you can see the Phillipine Tarsier, the smallest monkey in the world.
The world-renowned cone-shaped Chocolate Hills is one of the world's natural wonders. ( see picture below). Only found in Bohol ( where Rex comes from), the Hills are spread over the municipalities
of Batuan, Sagbayan, and Carmen. There are approximately 1,268 haycock hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 metres.
Formed centuries ago by tidal waves and movements, the Hills are considered a National geologic
treasure. In summertime, the lush green grass covering the limestone hills dry up and turn brown, creating the semblance of
endless rows of giant chocolate "kisses".
| Peace Commissioner - Dominic Forte |
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Introduction
Dominic Forte (pictured right) is a driver with Dublin
Bus for 17 years. Dominic, or 'Domo' to his friends, was previously with Irish Distillers as a truck driver before being
made redundant. He had worked with Irish Distillers from a young age as a casual worker (non-permanent) until he succeeded
securing a permanent position. He drank, oops sorry, I mean worked, in various departments within Irish Distillers before
finally securing the position of truck driver.
Background
Dominic's ancestry is Irish and Italian. I think you can guess the surname 'FORTE'
is more than likely the Italian bit of the ancestry. Dominic is happily married , (so his wife Phyllis tells us), and will
be celebrating!! being married for 35 years this March (2005). The happily married couple have 7 children - 4 boys
and 3 girls. The oldest 'child' is 33 years of age this year and the youngest will be 12. In fact, 3 of their children
were born in the seventies, 2 in the eighties, and 2 in the nineties. They also now have 3 grandchildren.
Dominic and his family have lived in Moorfield, Clondalkin for 22
years and previous to that Dominic and Phyllis lived and, in fact, grew up in Ballyfermot. So they
were known as "Ballyer Heads", to quote how they described themselves back then. Ballyfermot and Clondalkin are so close that
they didn't really move that far from their "roots". To cap this section of Domo's profile, it goes without saying that
Dominic and Phyllis are proud of their family, 4 of whom are now 'standing on their own two feet' whilst the other 3 family
members are still in education.
Community Activist and Peace Commissioner...
Dominic has always been active in the community. Way back in 1980 in Bluebell
he started the U/7 Bellevue soccer club. Still in the same district, Dominic played a part in the opening of the 1st volunteer
pre-school in 1981. That same year was the year the Government integrated girls and boys in public schools. Dominic remembers
that well because, as he jokes, he missed out on all the fun.
On moving to Clondalkin, he carried on being active in voluntary community work.
Dominic received an 'accredited' Diploma in Addiction and Counselling work from the renowned Merchants Quay Centre and his
knowledge in these areas has proved to be a great asset to his family, friends, and the community at large.
Dominic was appointed a 'Peace Commissioner' in 1998 by the Department of Justice.
It all started by Dominic being nominated for the position by a local Dail Deputy. He then was "screened" by the Gardai, which
included being interviewed by the District Garda Superintendent. Part of the work of a Peace Commissioner entails signing
documents for anyone who need these vital documents witnessed. This confidential and voluntary work brings many different
people and issues to his door. If people in Clondalkin go to their local Garda Station looking for a Peace Commissioner they
would more than likely be given Dominic's address.
Pastimes
Dominic's favourite pastimes include family 'get togethers', going for
leisurely drives, snooker, and fishing. Dominic also likes to bring his dog Jack for a walk (or is it the other way round?).
He often supports his youngest son Troy at football matches and follows his youngest daughter Kim's singing and drama exhibition
exploits. Finally, after all the exercise with Jack etc, Dominic enjoys D.I.Y. There is always something to do around the
house and if Phyllis thinks there is nothing to do, something usually turns up.
WEBSITE IS BEST VIEWED IN RESOLUTION 800X600 PIXELS
TM 'Team Conyngham Road Depot'
©2008
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