An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 15 Martin joined the Defence Forces in 1969, training in the General Training Depot (GTD) in the Curragh Camp. He was posted to 2 Inf Bn, Cathal Brugha Bks, where he served for 18 years before transferring to 2 Maint Engrs, Collins Bks, Dublin, in 1987. He was on the National Executive of PDFoRRA in 1993 when he was appointed ANSAC Treasurer. on his retirement in May 1996 he was appointed Manager. "We are very grateful for the help and assistance the then chief of staff, Lt Gen Gerry McMahon gave us in setting up ANSAC. Of the original group of 25 who established ANSAC over 20 years ago, two current directors and myself are still involved with the credit union. Many of the staff, including Gillian and Rachel, have also been with us for many years. "I plan to retire in 2016 and after 22 years working in ANSAC I will miss it, but I wish the staff all the very best." ANSAC Chairman Charlie Haughey said of Martin: "From a credit union perspective it's important that you know your customer and in this regard Martin's military experience put him in an ideal position to achieve this. The fact there has been no turnover of staff is a testament to Martin's people skills. He has a great ability to interact with different personalities and with only a few words and important facts, Martin can calm a heated debate - such is his knowledge of credit union rules and regu- lations. "I have nothing but admiration and respect for the man who for the past 20 years has been the rock on which ANSAC CU has thrived, including through some difficult economic times. His dedication to ANSAC's members and their needs has always been his central focus and his replacement will have very big shoes to fill and will have to hit the ground running to emu- late Martin's work ethic." Martin Cosgrave - An Appreciation Along with their regular monthly draw which has a top prize of €10,000, ANSAC are also giving away a New CAr in a once off draw for the Month of November, which will be a nice early Christmas pres- ent for all those members already subscribed to the monthly draw. *CAFNBO is a Friendly Society Registered under the Friendly Societies Act (1896) and was established so as to lighten to burden on the soldier/soldiers family on death of a soldier or any member of his family (wife or child). Membership is open to all other ranks in the Defence Forces CoNtACt iNFormAtioN Address: ANSAC Credit Union, 75 Amiens Street, Dublin 1. Email: info@ansaccu.ie Web: www.ansaccu.ie Tel: 01 855 4489 fax: 01 855 8067 Personnel Support Services (PSS) staff are currently doing this, anyone who is an ANSAC member and is interested in volunteering can apply. A career-training path for barrack reps is in place, starting with a certificate in Credit Union Governance, moving on to a diploma and finishing with a degree. ANSAC's management hope that some of these reps will eventu- ally become members of the board of directors. ANSAC has a very generous record when it comes to assisting groups and charities within the Defence Forces family, having supported oNE and IUNVA for many years. When asked, the credit union helps where it can, with charity fundraising in barracks and posts – this is another area where barrack reps can help out. ANSAC also sponsors the Best Recruit trophies awarded at the comple- tion of recruit training, once they have been notified by recruit training staff or barrack reps in advance to organise the award. ANSAC is open five days a week, Monday to Thursday from 9am-5pm, and Friday from 9am-4pm, and doesn't close for lunch. Friday is normally their busiest day, where they could have over 40 customers. Asst Manager Gillian Dunne with CEO Martin Cosgrave

• Cover