Fermanagh Community Hero Louise McLaughlin could be described as a somewhat reluctant nominee as she feels there are many others who are worthy of nomination.

The mother of three from Boho is involved in a host of voluntary groups associated with rural interests both in her local area and county wide and she acknowledges her fellow team members in all of the organisations.

Louise, originally from Bangor, Co. Down, came to Fermanagh 17 years ago and she lived initially in Monea and then settled in Boho.

She became an active figure in community life in her locality, and her three children, who are all now at secondary level education, attended playschool and primary school in Boho.

Louise joined Boho Community Association and according to her nominator “began sharing her many skills with the group.” She still retains membership of the Association and is still part of the committee.

The Association is just one of many committees that Louise is associated with in Fermanagh.

She served as Chairman of Boho Heritage and worked on the production of a heritage map, outdoor information panels, a number of heritage books, and she is also acknowledged for having secured funding from Heritage Lottery for the development of heritage project work in Boho. She had been part of the editoral committee for the book - Boho Heritage: A Treasure Trove of History and Lore.

Recently having taken up the role of Vice Chairman of Boho Heritage, she is currently working on a supplement to their book, which they hope to have released before Christmas. Louise remains an active figure in the local Playgroup, Bo Peeps, and she is a School Governor at Killyhommon P.S.

She has a long time involvement in the committee at Bo Peeps, which this year got Early Years Accreditation and an outstanding award from the Education and Training Inspectorate. The staff were invited to meet the Education Minister. Part of the team involved, she said they were delighted with the recognition.

Other offices held by Louise include her Chairmanship of Fermanagh Rural Community Network and she is on the Board of Fermanagh Community Transport. She is a volunteer for St. John Ambulance and helps with the organisation’s Cadets and Badgers on Friday nights.

She is very passionate about rural life and she stresses that in all the organisations that she is represented in “there are lots of people doing the same kind of good work.” A group effort, she believes “lots of members” are giving voluntary time to the organisations.

She admits that she does not feel comfortable being singled out. “I’m part of a group, it’s not just me,” she said, adding that it’s great recognition for the groups she is part of.

“I just feel I could give another dozen names of people that I know give a lot of time,” acknowledged Louise, who reiterates the work she is involved in is “very much a team effort, not just one person.” Married to Darron McLaughlin, she works in the Community Services Department at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Louise’s nominator said she is “a person with real passion for rural community life and is selfless in giving her time and sharing her knowledge with everyone.” The nominator added “Louise never says no to any request for help” and that she is at the forefront of community development in Boho. Having “made a real difference,” the nominator concluded: “I can think of no one more deserving of a Fermanagh Community Hero Award!