ELORA – Elora resident and business owner Maclean Hann was named Citizen of the Year at the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence.
The event was held on May 27 at the GrandWay Events Centre.
“I was very humbled to be nominated, never mind to win it,” Hann said in a phone interview a few days after the ceremony.
Hann and his wife Sarah Barber own the Evelyn restaurant, Le Chien Chaud, the Fromagerie, Honey Church Interiors and a couple of short term rentals.
But nominees in the Citizen of the Year category are evaluated based on their charitable work and Hann said that’s a really important part of who he is as a person.
He was chair of the Elora BIA and contributes to the Rural Aboyne Hospice, Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington and is part of the planning of Food Day Canada events in Elora.
“We are active business owners but also have the capacity to volunteer and donate,” Hann said.
“For me personally, I want to help kids, so Big Brothers Big Sisters was never a question for me.
“They make such a huge difference to children.”
Awards well attended
In a press release, Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO Brock Aldersley stated, “The Awards of Excellence is designed to recognize our nominees, sponsors and winners across Centre Wellington.
“And we were thrilled to have over 210 people in attendance, representing over 78 businesses, celebrating a record breaking 265 nominations across 10 categories.
“This event truly is a celebration of the thriving business community in Centre Wellington.”
Kristy Miller of the Scented Market was named Entrepreneur of the Year. Photo by Me Photography
Awards were actually presented at two events.
The first was a luncheon on May 21 to recognize long service award winners. They include:
- 50 years: The Elora Cooperative Preschool, The Gorge Cinema, Post Farm Structures Incorporated and The Wellington County Library;
- 40 years: Bert’s Service Centre, Jaboli II and Kooiman Industries Ltd.;
- 25 years: Blown Away Glass Studio, Centre Wellington Hydro, Drew House, Hands To Work, Mallot Creek Group Inc., Township of Centre Wellington, WildWinds Golf Links Inc. and Windmill Landscapes Ltd.;
- 10 years: Alana Gunn RMT, Align Pedorthics, Best Western Plus Fergus Hotel, ForgeX, Honeychurch Lane, Soothe and Stage Presence School of Dance;
- five years: Ascnd Media, Elora Physiotherapy, Inner Joy Getaways, Fergus Pharmacy and Compounding Centre, HomeBasics, Oakenwood Research Services, Schooley Mitchell, Simplifying Entrepreneurship, The Wild Tart, The Friendly Society and Violet and Ash Candle Co.; and
- new businesses established in 2024: CW Wealth Management, Health is Best, The Lobby Bar and RMP Metal Works.
The remainder of the awards were presented on May 27 at the Awards of Excellence.
Those awards went to:
- President’s Award: Roger Hicks;
- Community Social Responsibility Award: The Elora Cooperative Preschool;
- Environmental Excellence Award: Mantech;
- Citizen of the Year: Maclean Hann;
- Cultural, Arts, Tourism Impact Award: The Elora Festival;
- Customer Service Excellence Award: IMpower Wellness;
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Jesse Duhacek of JMD Lawncare;
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Kristy Miller, The Scented Market;
- Employer of the Year: Fergus Naturopathic Clinic; and
- Business of the Year: H&R Machine Ltd.
Jesse Duhacek of JMD Lawn Care won Youth Entrepreneur of the Year. Photo by Me Photography
