Write a commentDan Gebski meets Sharon Davis
“Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”
This quote it is dedicated to my guest because she is a reflection of those words and she is 100% a local Hero. I have never seen her say “no” to anyone who needed help, advice or guidance in their life. I think if the world has got more people like this amazing lady life would be happier and easier. Let me introduce to you all the one and only one Sharon Davis.
Thank you Sharon for agreeing for this interview I do appreciate it very much.
DG: Can you tell me where exactly you are coming from? I would like to know more about your family and childhood please?
SD: I am the youngest from a family of 14, I have 12 sisters and one brother. I am a Christmas day baby. 48 years ago my elder sisters had to make the Christmas dinner that day, they still say to me “we had no dinner that year because you were born”
DG::What do you work at? How long have been working? And why did you pick this type of career?
SD: I am Finance Manager at Warrenpoint Port, coming into my 23rd year, I love the Port, I was brought up in Thomas Street, Warrenpoint beside the sea and the Port, my Grandfather was Harbourmaster, my Mum grew up in the Old Harbour House. I chose a career in finance because, when I was in St Mark’s my favourite teacher Mr O’Hanlon taught me accounts and I just loved the subject, so when I got an A in my GCSE I thought I must be good at this.
DG: I know you for over 10 years. I have witnessed you helping people in the work place and not only that, you have helped with welfare guidance and mental help. Is this your nature to help people or did you learn kindness while growing up in your family?
SD: I love helping other people, I thrive on it. I don’t like so see people unhappy. I think I did get this from growing up, my father was an exceptional man, he always helped others, he founded the Panto Club and the Friendship Club in Warrenpoint. I always remember him helping others and maybe taking people home for dinner rather than them being alone or without..... he always taught us to help others and to go without yourself if someone was in need.
DG: Could you tell me what community work have you been doing so far? Have you got any future upcoming projects in the pipeline? Have you got any awards for your work so far?
SD: I have been the Chairperson for Friends of St Dallans just over three years. We as a Committee in that time have raised over £24,000 for the school during this time period. I decided to do something for the school as my husband used to work a lot overseas and I felt I needed to do something for the school as I never had the time, when my eldest two were at this school, to commit my time and fundraise for the school.
I am also on the committee of Warrenpoint Panto Club, due to my Dad and also to my family who commit so much time to Panto to keep this legacy alive. I also try and fundraise for Macmillan, Hospice and more recently, our local Community Centre, in between all this.
DG: Imagine we have returned to the past and you are sitting in your kitchen and applying for two jobs. One of them is the current job you are at now. The second is a Nursery Teacher position. Which job would you have wanted? And why?
SD: I love children, I think I would’ve been a good Nursery Teacher. At the time I chose my career path according to the subjects I was good at. I tell my children to work hard at the subjects they enjoy, the ones that make them happy and also to go with whatever their heart tells them.
DG: We know you are holding one of the manager positions in your current job. Who is the manager in your household? Who is in charge? Is it you or your husband?
SD: Bit of both in our house, since my husband has now retired our roles have reversed, I can’ t remember the last time I helped with the children's homework or hoovered because he does it all.
DG: I know there is nothing you love more than children and especially your own. If you had power for one day in politics, what would you change to help and improve the life of our kids?
SD: My son is very passionate about the Irish language. We, as a family, go to the Gaeltacht 2-3 times a year as we love it ourselves. I would love to see an Irish language Act in place for him and his future. Also, I would put more money into Education and I think it's very important for our children to read. I am a massive fan of sitting down at night and reading with our children. Turn off the gadgets and just do some reading. My daughter Molly will say “tell me a story from your head”, they are her favourite stories.
DG: What are your hobbies? Have you got any passion or things you love to do?
SD:I have no hobbies as such as my days are filled with my children, work and volunteering. I do like cooking a lot and I was told I am pretty good at it.
DG: The last question I would like to ask you is. Is Warrenpoint a diverse town? Have you many foreign national friends?
SD: Yes it is, I have met some lovely foreign nationals through Panto and Friends of St Dallans and also my work place where I have met you
DG: Thank you so much for taking the time in my project and I wish you all the best in the future. I am proud to be your friend. Good health to you and your family. Dan
SD: I wish you all the best in your new job and also first and foremost I wish your wife and yourself the best of luck for the arrival of your new baby and not forgetting Wee Daniel too.
