Ethel Paul, Wayne Hollett and James (Jim) Keating were presented their medals by provincial Minister of Education (Burin-Placentia West MHA) Clyde Jackman during a brief ceremony Tuesday at the Burin Municipal Centre.
Mr. Jackman said the recognitions of all three pointed to their “vibrant community achievements.”
The award is authorized through Governor-General David Johnston’s office – the Queen’s representative in Canada. The medal marks the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s reign on the Throne of England.
The recognition is for ‘dedicated service to your peers, to your community and to Canada’.
Mrs. Paul has long been associated for her volunteerism on the Burin Peninsula with the Canadian Red Cross Society and with the Burin Heritage Tourism Association, recognizable for wearing her costume as Dr. Walsh’s wife – one of the early settlers of Burin – during special functions in the town.
Mr. Hollett has been a life long resident of Burin and was recognized for his passion of collecting historical photos and other information about the town. He is looked upon as the unofficial ‘historian’ of the community with people contacting him on a regular basis for information and copies of photographs he has compiled.
Mr. Keating was nominated by Newfoundland Senator Ethel Cochrane for his lengthy involvement with the provincial school breakfast programs, as a member of the original NAPE union committee established in 1992 to develop the program. In recent years he has been an active member of the Burin Seniors Club, co-ordinating the renovation of the clubhouse and development of a walking trail for members around the building in Salmonier. He has also obtained Provincial Wellness Program funding for regular exercise programs for members.
Mayor Kevin Lundrigan praised the medal recipients for their contributions to the town, indicating “the community was lucky to have them.”
He added he was sure there were many more residents in the town deserving of the award as well.
A fourth Burin Peninsula resident, Stephen King - a teacher at Marystown Central High School, will receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubiliee Medal this Saturday in Toronto, Ontario. The medal is being presented to Mr. King through EF Educational Tours.
gmacvicar@southerngazette.ca
.jpg)
