A large crowd gathered at the Sydenham Campus in Owen Sound over the weekend to honour the recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medals.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff presented 24 medals at the ceremony Saturday afternoon to residents from the across the region in recognition of their contributions to the community.
The medals were announced by the federal government to honour those who made significant contributions to the country, province, territory, region, or community, or an achievement abroad which benefits and brings honour to Canada.
The recipients of the medals include:
-Jill Badgerow – created the Osprey Museum, is a member of the Feversham Ag Society, Park Committee, and is a foster parent.
-Joan Beecroft – a community advocate and volunteer in across Grey Bruce for many years, and is a supporter of the LGBTQ2+ community.
-Retired Warrant Officer Mike Boudrias, CD – served in the Canadian Army for over 33 years and founded the Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders Meaford unit.
-Warrant Officer Cameron Bruce, CD – served in the Canadian Armed Forces since 2005 and has managed the MP office since 2020.
-Fire Chief Jack Burt – has a 25-year career in firefighting and is involved in fire-related incident reduction strategies.
-Jan Chamberlain – named volunteer of the year in 2008 and 2021 and is involved in the Owen Sound Salmon Derby, Summerfolk, Lifelong Learning, and Family Y, housing, seniors and more.
-R. Keith Davidson – promotes sports and recreation programs across region, and organizes local non-motorized Christmas parade.
-Bryan R. Fraser – member of Royal Canadian Legion since 1976 and has spent many hours volunteering on poppy drives, Owen Sound Remembrance Day services.
-Shelley Higginson – Founder of Events for Life Centre which provides activities, social skills, and lifelong learning.
-Brian Hohl – has 50 years of officiating high school football, 20 years coaching and officiating minor hockey, and is currently a volunteer driver with Home and Community Support Services.
-Julianne Hull – spent over 40 years serving vulnerable people while working as a travelling nurse on the Bruce Peninsula. She teaches at Georgian College with a focus on compassionate care and volunteers at Community Living in Wiarton.
-Janet Iles – has over 18 years on the Grey County Historical Society Board and is also the Vice President of the Bruce and Grey branch of The Ontario Genealogical Society. She is also the Treasurer for the Waterfront Heritage Centre.
-Scarlett Janusas – advocates for protection, recording and preservation of marine heritage sites.
-Captain Krista Mae Linthorne, CD – has dedicated many hours to the Army Cadets and is also the Community Service Officer for the Grey Bruce OPP.
-Dan Lisk – retired after 11 years in the army and two Afghanistan tours. He supports veterans and the Grey Bruce region by focusing on homeless and traumatized veterans, and the greater community with addictions.
-Ruth Lovell Stanners – spent 16 on Owen Sound council and seven as the city’s first female mayor. She has prioritized youth, inclusiveness, affordable housing, healthcare, and the Grey Bruce Hospice.
-Thom McDonough – helped lead the development of OSHaRE which provides meals to people in need in the Owen Sound area.
-Captain Neil McLean – has served in the army and as a volunteer in minor sports in Owen Sound.
-Lynn Silverton – has served on Grey Highlands council and many other committees and boards, and is an advocate for seniors and local charities.
-Mary Catherine Solomon – an advocate for people with physical and mental disabilities and has organized regional games for people with disabilities. She was also the inaugural chair for the International Neurological Physical Therapy Association.
-Joseph Vanderzand – lead the Wiarton Cenotaph Mural and was a key organizer of the Wiarton Homecoming. He was also the Vice President of the Wiarton Legion and President of the Chamber of Commerce.
-Captain (MN) Philip M. Visser – longtime community volunteer, educator and leader. He has contributed decades with the Merchant Marine, his church, youth, the Mission Thrift Store, and as a member and director with the Silver C’s.
-Gerald Weppler – an educator with over 30 years at the Bluewater District School Board. He is also a volunteer firefighter, a hospital board member, and a leader at Faith Lutheran Church.
-Gary Wood – has over 46 years of municipal services and years of volunteer community service. His efforts supported the elderly and handicapped during the pandemic.
Ruff says he visited a long-term care home that morning to present a medal to a resident, and says there are five more medals to be awarded.
During his address, Ruff says it was difficult to narrow down who would receive the award.
“There are these incredible people making contributions that some of them are very much on a local level, whether it’s helping food programs, helping with the elderly, helping the disabled, helping out during the pandemic. There is obviously some military examples here where people have been serving overseas and serving for this country,” says Ruff. “It’s such an honour to see and pay just a little bit of recognition and a great way to do this is through that King Coronation medal.”
