By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
Coinciding with National Volunteer Recognition Week, the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula hosted their 2024 Volunteer Recognition event on 17 April at the Rotary Hall in Lion’s Head. Community members and local clubs/associations nominated 44 persons who have displayed outstanding volunteerism within the local community.
The annual Volunteer Recognition event honours and celebrates an important resource of the community – its volunteers. Mayor Milt McIver called the volunteers “the heart and soul of the community”, and thanked them for their commitment to the local community. The Mayor said the community is fortunate to have volunteers with a variety of experiences and that they bring “light and life to the local charitable and community endeavours.”
The Chi Cheemaun Festival Committee nominated Don Johnstone. Smokey Golden, spokesperson for the Festival Committee says the Festival serves as a homecoming weekend for locals, kicks off the summer season in Tobermory, and is a major fundraiser for the local Daycare Centre and Hospital Auxiliary. Golden credited Johnstone for his steady influence over the years in making this a successful event and said this acknowledgment is long overdue.
Debbie Dover nominated the Pike Bay Community Association (with over 50 volunteers and 200 households). Described as a wonderful community, this active and supportive community also maintains their community centre (formerly a nineteenth century one room schoolhouse) and offers various activities to the general public.
Charlene Jordan, the Market Manager. Wilson said the Market is greatly appreciated, calling it a “gem of the area.”
The Northern Bruce Peninsula Support Advisory Action Committee nominated six men from the Bruce Men’s Shed. Its leadership team consists of Bill Rusk, Gerry Tilmans, Owen Glendon, Peter Roser, Tim Wilson and Terry Dovaston. Spokesperson Sharron Colter said each of the men with their special talents/roles were instrumental in the implementation of the Men’s Shed in the Northern Bruce Peninsula. The organization aims to provide programming that promotes good health and wellness for men in the community.
The Peninsula Bruce Trail Club nominated some of their outstanding trail volunteers: Ron MacDonald, Brenda Stewart, Janna Cheghano, Randy Vanderlaan, Christian and Barbara von der Heide, Nina Andic, Doug Hill, Kove Sartor, Maverick Solomon, Barb Reuber, Beth Gilhespy, Betty Hastings, Dr Brian Taylor, Jane Greenhouse, Caley Doran and Fran Turner. Tamara Wilson said that 200 volunteers maintain 170 km of main trails and 100 km of side trails from Wiarton to Tobermory. These trails are described as some of the most challenging terrain of the whole Bruce Trail. From trail maintenance, community outreach to fundraising, the volunteers have been generous with their time and skills.
Sharron Coulter on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 202, recognized the contributions by Richard Smith, its current President. Smith has been the President for the past five years, for 12 years was the Chair of the successful campaigns for the sale of Poppies and for 14 years ran the honours/ awards program for the Legion.
The 2024 recipients nominated by The Rotary Club of Northern Bruce Peninsula are Robert Hiscott, the Late Robert Spearing, Douglas Greig, Dale Diebel, Dan Bryans, Wendell Thomson, and Dr Dave Thomson. Cathryn Buckley said community volunteers are the glue that holds everything together and recognized the Rotarians for their service above self.
The Sources of Knowledge nominated Daryl Cowell who took the opportunity to promote the upcoming Sources of Knowledge Forum on a Sustainable Tourism Future for the Saugeen Peninsula to be held May 3 – 5, 2024. Cowell has been involved in every Forum since 2009.
Ruth Bainbridge was nominated by St Edmunds Bruce Peninsula Museum for her many years of volunteering at the museum and promoting the history of the area.
Norbert Woerns was nominated by Tobermory Health Services Auxiliary for his work in beautification of the grounds of the Tobermory Medical Centre.
Tim Hayes was nominated by Bonnie Ashcroft for his efforts with the Lion’s Head Community Bottle Fund and his support of local events, Ashcroft made special mention of the Bottle Fund fully sponsoring the Christmas Feast for students at the local schools in Lion’s Head and Tobermory.
Jennifer Dewey was recognized for her years of service at the Tobermory Food Bank.
Sue Gremm, Barbara Zych, Gail Pells and Gail Beagan are volunteers at Tobermory Smartfit Program and were recognized for their efforts in leading exercise classes for seniors for the past three years at the Tobermory Community Centre.
