Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson- Cariboo and Senator Nancy Greene Raine hosted a ceremony to approximately 300 people, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Thompson Rivers University, to present Diamond Jubilee Medals to 33 constituents who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and country.
Of those 33, nine recipients were from the North Thompson Valley; Tina Donald (Barriere), our own Star/Journal editor Jill Hayward (Louis Creek), Dr. Nathan Matthew (Barriere), Keith Moore (Barriere), Jean Nelson (Clearwater), Geordie Salle (Barriere), Manne Salle (Barriere), Carman Smith (Barriere), and Donald Turtiak (Blue River). Not in attendance at the presentation, but also scheduled to receive Diamond Jubilee Medals at a future date are Clearwater residents, Muriel Irene Dunford, and Pauline Gregory.
“It was a great pleasure to pay tribute to the recipients who have gone above and beyond to serve their communities,” said McLeod. “The Diamond Jubilee Medal commemorates the extraordinary service of Her Majesty the Queen and are a fitting tribute to those who have made this country a more caring nation for all, helping others, giving back and going beyond the call of duty.”
Star/Journal editor Jill Hayward said she was “stuck for words” when MP McLeod called to advise her of the upcoming medal presentation.
“I had no words for what it felt to be bestowed with such an honour,” said Hayward, “There are so many people who do so much in our valley for their communities. There are so many other good people that deserved to be in my place.”
Hayward says she was honoured to stand beside “so many wonderful volunteers”.
“All people who really make a difference, from all walks of life,” said the editor, “I was especially proud of those from the North Thompson Valley.”
The Diamond Jubilee Medal was created in honour of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne. The medal recognizes Canadians from all walks of life who have made significant contributions to Canada or whose achievements abroad have brought credit to Canada. A total of 60,000 Diamond Jubilee Medals will be given to Canadians throughout the year.
The following is a complete list of the recipients that were in attendance at the Oct. 10, ceremony. They represent the broad cross section of services and development that has occurred in this Kamloops – Thompson- Cariboog over the last 60 years.
List of Recipients: Roger Barnsley (Parksville), Donald Cameron (Kamloops), Patrick Corbett (108 Mile Ranch), Ambo Dhaliwal (Kamloops), Tina Donald (Barriere), Robin Fennell (Clinton), Trudy Frisk (Kamloops), Dr. Gordon Gore (Kamloops), Jill Hayward (Louis Creek), Betty Inouye (Kamloops), Mary Jules (Kamloops), Captain Lisa Landry (Kamloops), Louise Malahoff (Kamloops), Sherry Maligaspe (Kamloops), Dr. Nathan Matthew (Barriere), Richard McMaster (Kamloops), Keith Moore (Barriere), Anne Munro (Kamloops), Jean Nelson (Clearwater), Andrew Philpot (Kamloops), Henry Pejril (Kamloops), Brent Rutherford (Lac La Hache), Geordie Salle (Barriere), Manne Salle (Barriere), Hon. Col. Terry Shupe (Kamloops), Dr. Gur Singh (Kamloops), Carman Smith (Barriere), Dick Taylor (Kamloops), Donald Turtiak (Blue River), Rita Welsh (Clinton), Glen Wideman (Kamloops), Kent Wong (Kamloops), Harry Wright (Kamloops).