Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong and MPP Ted Arnott handed out Queen’s Jubilee medals to 14 recipients at a ceremony at the Fergus Legion on Oct. 9.
The medals honour residents for their outstanding and ongoing community service.
“This year marks the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada,” Chong told recipients, family and friends at the evening function.
“This Diamond Jubilee year provides Canadians with the opportunity to reflect on Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and how much Canada has accomplished over the last 60 years.”
Chong added, “As our Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II has played an important role in providing a sense of stability and continuity in times of political and social change. As our constitutional monarch, she bridges the discontinuity of party politics and provides a stable framework for government,” Chong said.
“To date, there has only been one other Diamond Jubilee celebrated in Canada. That took place in 1897, under the reign of Queen Victoria. Interestingly, it was at the start of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1837, by Act of Parliament, that the new District of Wellington was formed, now known as the County of Wellington.”
“Under Queen Elizabeth’s reign, Canada has undergone important nation-building transformations. On February 15, 1965, following a royal proclamation signed by Her Majesty, our iconic red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
“In 1982, Queen Elizabeth II signed a royal proclamation that patriated our Constitution from the United Kingdom. This historic event reaffirmed the position of constitutional monarchy in Canada,” he said.
“To celebrate the Queen’s milestone, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to give Canadians a way to honour the achievements of their fellow Canadians, while honouring The Queen’s service to Canada,” the MP said. “The Queen has dedicated her entire life to the service of others.”
“Today’s recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals embody the Queen’s service to Canada. Each and every one of them has contributed greatly to building the Canada we have today,” Chong added.
“As with the Queen, each and every one of today’s recipients remind us of the importance of giving back to our community. We are fortunate to have so many people in our communities helping others. They volunteer their time and talents to make better our communities, our province and our country.”
RECIPIENTS
Bill Adsett
Adsett founded the Wellington Advertiser in 1968, supporting businesses and community organizations while helping to keep the people of Wellington County, and beyond, better informed.
He has been heavily involved as a local Rotarian and supports many other community clubs and foundations.
Jack Baumber
Baumber is one of the founders of the Tabs 4 Wheelchairs program that uses the money from recycled aluminum to buy wheelchairs.
The program has more than 1,400 chairs delivered to those in need since they started collecting in 1988. He has also been involved with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 229 in Elora taking on various roles during his decades of service.
Byron Beirnes
Beirnes currently acts as the sergeant at arms and veterans services officer for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 275 – Fergus.
As a long serving member of the branch, he has always taken a keen interest in advocating for veterans and seniors in all of Centre Wellington. He has worked as the unofficial government relations officer and coordinates many of the local Remembrance Day activities.
Father John Burke
An honorary assistant at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Father Burke is the primary coordinator for the programs that support the Portage Program in Elora. Portage is a residential substance abuse rehabilitation centre for adolescents. He plays a key role in that rehabilitation program.
Toni Ellis
Ellis is the driving force behind Neighbourwoods on the Grand, a branch of the Elora Environment Centre working to rebuild the community tree canopy through tree planting, stewardship, public education and advocacy about the need for, and value of, trees.
She is one of Centre Wellington’s most effective community organizers for environmental awareness and cheerfully inspires others to do more.
Catherine Keeler
Keeler is a small business woman and the heart of the Orton Community Association.
Everyone that knows her, is grateful for her efforts and those of the Community Association. They organize the local Sports activities, the annual Canada Day Celebrations and other community events. She always has time to help her neighbours, and volunteers countless hours to ensure that community activities happen and run smoothly.
Raymond Pearse
Often referred to as Santa Claus, Pearse is involved with community organizations and events focused on kids.
One of the founders of the “Tabs 4 Wheelchairs” program, 24 years ago he founded the aluminum recycling firm willing to take the original collection of tabs. His dedication to the program is the foundation for its continued work. He has also been involved with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 275 in Fergus taking on various roles during his decades of service including being president in 2011.
Florence Peer
Peer is a longtime fundraiser for the MS Society and a longtime volunteer with the Women’s Institute. She is the backbone of the Badnoch Community, volunteering countless hours to ensure that the community centre remains viable. She is also one of the key volunteer organizers for the Aberfoyle Agricultural Society Fall Fair.
Sharon Rice
Rice is an active volunteer with many of the community arts organizations, Fergus Grand Theatre, Elora Centre for the Arts, the River Run Centre and is currently the volunteer co-ordinator for the Elora Festival and Singers. She is a long serving member of the Rotary Club of Guelph serving on a variety of committees and chairing fundraising events. Sharon has also served on the Board of Governors for Groves Memorial Hospital.
Charles Simon
Simon is an architect that has been a leader and innovator in environmental and sustainable development. As one of the founders of the “Eden Mills Going Carbon Neutral Initiative,” he understands the importance of community involvement and putting thoughts into action.
June Switzer
Although she is a retired teacher, Switzer has always been an educator of community young people. A long time volunteer with 4-H, she has made certain that all youths interested have the opportunity to participate and learn. She often returns to the classroom to teach students about the dairy industry. June is a longstanding volunteer with the Erin Agricultural Society, including coaching fair ambassador competitors.
Ken Williams
Williams is a longstanding volunteer and leader with sport teams and the Optimist Club in Puslinch Township. He was a driving force behind the community fundraising activities for the Optimist multi-use recreational facility in Aberfoyle.
Greg Oakes
Oakes is a provincial nominee. He has been involved with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 229 in Elora since 1982, taking on various roles. He has also held leadership roles at the zone, district and provincial levels of the Royal Canadian Legion. He has a strong interest in history and preservation. Not only is he involved with local historical societies, but he is also working to preserve rare breeds of chickens and horses in Canada.
Jamie Hiller
Hiller was nominated by the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association. As a fire fighter with Centre Wellington Fire and Rescue, he is known for his compassion and respect. Not only has he continued the family tradition of community service but also has taken an active role in training and equipment improvements.
Other recipients unable to attend the Fergus ceremony were Janet Vallery of Belwood, Libby Little of Eden Mills and Kasia Seydegart of Erin.
Libby Little
Little is one of the founders of the “Eden Mills Going Carbon Neutral Initiative” and is often the public voice of the initiative. She is a longtime advocate and teacher of methods to reduce carbon footprints.
Janet Vallery
Vallery is a long term volunteer and community organizer in Centre Wellington. She was one of the founders of the Groves Hospital Foundation. As a small business person, she has also given back acting as a mentor for new small businesses. She has been involved as a local Rotarian and supports many community clubs and foundations.
Kasia Seydegart
Seydegart was a driving force behind the initial East Wellington Advisory Group which eventually became East Wellington Community Services. She is a highly regarded researcher, known for developing innovative solutions to large scale issues. In 1981 she co-founded a company that has offices in Erin and BC.
At a similar ceremony held in Acton on Oct. 11, recipients were John Scott of Rockwood and Kenneth McBey of Fergus.
John Scott
Retired Major Scott is a long serving volunteer with the Air Cadet League of Canada, both at a national and provincial level. He supports and provides for the development of the Air Cadet movement. He was a start-up director for the 242 Ross Ferguson Squadron in Erin and currently serves as a member of the fundraising committee at the provincial and national levels.
Kenneth McBey
McBey is currently a graduate program professor at York University. He is a member of the Canadian Infantry Association, which provides equipment and policy recommendations to the Chief of the Defence staff. He has held various roles including National President and Council Chair.
McBey is a volunteer and coordinator for St. John Ambulance, working with the Fergus-Elora branch and the Ontario Council.
