Pam Craig carries on the traditions of four generations of her family for volunteerism and commitment to Port Alberni. Leader, visionary, mentor, advisor, history buff and literacy advocate, Pam has volunteered thousands of hours for activities and events. She is current chair of Literacy Alberni and a long serving member of the Alberni Valley Museum and Heritage Commission. Pam spearheaded the Port Alberni Centennial celebrations and volunteered at all four BC Games held at Port Alberni. Pam is a fifteen-year veteran of the School Board. She gives back to the community at every opportunity.
Award Year: 2015
Tom Moffat
Throughout his 92 years, Tom Moffat has served his community in many capacities in a quiet and unassuming way. He was affiliated with the Cattlemen’s Association and connected to the forest industry. He supports the Quesnel and District Museum and Archives and is a 68 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion. In September, he was chosen to represent Canada at the 200th anniversary of the Royal Netherlands Army in Holland. As a member of one of Quesnel’s pioneer families, Tom continues to be the keeper of memories in his community, ensuring that the history of the city and its residents is remembered.
Laura Wee Lay Laq
Clay artist Laura Wee Lay Laq believes working with clay stops her internal dialogue giving her a sense of harmony and peace”. Each of Laura’s clay pots are hand-built, burnished and sawdust fired. In the artist’s words, To take earth, give it personal expression, smooth it with a stone, give it to the fire by embedding the clay into the dust of trees and making it vulnerable to the natural elements completes a cycle on which I am proud to play a part”. Wee Lay Laq is recognized as a cultural leader within her community and serves as a role model for all Aboriginal artists in her capacity to create quality work both in traditional and contemporary forms.
Wee Care Early Childhood Centre Inc.
Wee Care Early Childhood Centre Inc. operates five busy and successful childcare centres all located in five Comox Valley Schools. It provides before and after school care for K to Grade 6 children and kindergarten preparation at two additional centres. Wee Care responds to the community’s needs upholding its mission to provide the children in their care with a safe, clean and caring environment in which each child will feel that he/she is cared for and valued.
Mavis De Girolamo
Mavis De Girolamo is a shining beacon for her community. For the Inter Cultural Association of Greater Victoria that offers services for immigrant and refugee newcomers, Mavis has completed eight terms as Board chair. She teaches adult language classes and works to create a supportive and friendly environment enabling students to excel. Of particular note is Mavis advocacy for all those seeking to become Canadian citizens and all that citizenship entails. Mavis builds bridges and promotes cross cultural awareness and respect for all throughout many organizations in Victoria. Volunteering for Mavis is not just an activity, it is a way of life.
Emily Molnar
Artistic Director of Ballet BC since 2009, Emily Molnar has transformed a struggling dance company into one of the preeminent contemporary companies in the world with a stable and solid future. Her strengths lie in outstanding programming, performances and artistic vision. She is known and admired for teaching, mentoring and nurturing dancers, choreographers and also audiences. Emily is a director of the BC Arts Council and has recently been appointed Artistic director of Dance for the Banff Centre. We applaud Emily for caring about the arts in BC and her conviction that arts contribute to a better society.
Linda Bob
The work of Tahltan – Tlingit artist Linda Bob encompasses ceremonial regalia and beadwork. Acknowledging that her history and culture is at the heart of her work, Linda has a deep passion to merge Tahltan and Tlingit traditions with contemporary style. While guided and inspired by traditional concepts, Linda moves outside Tahltan motifs into more fluid forms found in other Pacific Northwest traditions. Linda Bob’s work can be found in the National Museum of the American Indian, the Royal Ontario Museum, and has been exhibited at the Museum of Anthropology and the Spirit Wrestler Gallery.
RNN Sales and Rentals (Mobile Treatment Centre)
RNN Sales and Rentals offers fully qualified Emergency Medical Ambulance services. Founded with one Mobile Treatment Centre (MTC) in 2009, it has now grown to 12 units. With the emergence of the oil and gas industry the company capitalized on the boom industry by purchasing earth works, road construction, hauling equipment and a shale pit. They have been highly successful in securing contracts with major resource-based companies.
Victoria Dobbyn
Vicki Dobbyn is honoured today for her work in social services on the Sunshine Coast. During her 24-years as executive director of the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, the organization grew from a smattering of services to a multi-service agency offering 38 diverse programs. An innovative thinker, with a strong awareness of community issues, Vicki provided visionary leadership, leaving an enduring legacy of a caring community. Now in retirement, Vicki sits on the board of the Sunshine Community Foundation and continues to be actively involved in the community.
Maryann Ouellet
If everyone did for their communities what Maryann does for Kitimat, this world would be a much finer place, so says her nominator. We honour Maryann for the care she shows for both domestic and wild animals….cats, dogs, foxes, bears and all creatures great and small. As the smiling face of the Kitimat Humane Society, Maryann ensures that domestic animals get a warm and loving home and wild animals the opportunity to once more run free. Let me give you an example of Maryann’s devotion….when Kitimat was without a vet, Maryann thought nothing of driving four hours each way to take a wounded animal to see the vet in Prince Rupert.