Pride of Guernsey: 'An excellent mentor'
DEPENDABLE, hard-working and pragmatic are words that Andrew Courtney uses to describe Vic de Garis, who he has nominated for the OCS-sponsored Parish Champion of the Year award.
Pro-active, knowledgeable, wise, caring, role model and a friend are some of the others.
Currently dean of St Saviour's douzaine, Mr de Garis has also been, or is, a church warden, member of the cemetery committee, constable and parish Floral group member.
Mr Courtney met Mr de Garis, then the senior constable, eight years ago when he became junior constable.
'He was an excellent mentor and knew a huge amount about the parish and the people who live there,' he said.
The two have worked together on the douzaine and in the floral group ever since. Mr de Garis takes the role of douzenier very seriously. He always attends events such as the Western Parishes Remembrance Day Service and helps to organise parish events such as the 70th anniversary Liberation celebrations and the forthcoming Queen's 90th birthday event.
'Victor turns out for every Floral St Saviour's working party, rain or shine,' said Mr Courtney. 'He frequently carries out additional work between times when he sees something that needs to be done – this quality is invaluable.'
