Lieutenant-Governor presents 
Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Medals in Corner Brook

Eighteen dedicated volunteers were honoured at a formal ceremony held in Corner Brook today. His Honour, the Honourable A. M. House, Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, presented the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Medal on behalf of the province.

Nelson Bennett, Jack Cook, Gerard Duffney, Annie Gibbons, Diane Hawco, Gillian Hillyard, Elsie Keeping, A.M. (Gus) Kerwin, Stephen Knudsen, Leonard Matthews, Denise May, Bessie Merrigan, Barabara O'Keefe, Mary Payne, Alfred Toope, Minnie Vallis, Arthur Vincent Sr. and Harold Wells have together contributed some 600 years as volunteers. Their long-term dedication has positively affected health, education, sports, the arts and community and economic 
development.

In a statement to the House of Assembly last week, Premier Roger Grimes applauded the accomplishments of the province's volunteers.

"The people of our province are known throughout Canada and, indeed, the world, for their incredible generosity and caring spirit," said Premier Grimes. "This year provides a wonderful opportunity to award the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Medal and recognize extraordinary volunteers for their invaluable contributions to our communities and to our province as a whole."

Hundreds of nominations were submitted by individuals and organizations throughout the province, between July and September 30, highlighting the extensive volunteer network operating in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

An independent selection committee set the award and nomination criteria, reviewed the submissions and selected candidates. His Honour, the Honourable A. M. House, Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, has now completed presentations of the Volunteer Medal to 96 exceptional volunteers in special ceremonies around the province.

Premier Grimes said that the men and women receiving these medals "have each, over the long-term, had profound and wide-reaching impacts on the lives of others, on their communities and on us all.... these people demonstrate, in the most remarkable way, the very practical foundation of volunteerism: the value of one and the power of many." 

Media contact: Carl Cooper, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3564. 

Background Information - Corner Brook Ceremony

Nelson Bennett - Pasadena
Nelson Bennett has been a volunteer for 56 years. He is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and was a charter member and past president of the Lions Club. He has served church and recreational organizations, and as a town councillor and mayor. He was involved in the formation of the fire department and in numerous economic development associations, including the Humber Valley Development Association, the Newfoundland and Labrador Rural Development Council and the Pasadena Economic Development Committee.

Jack Cook - Stephenville
Jack Cook has been a volunteer for 29 years. He is a founding member of the Bay St. George Sick Children's Foundation and the Bay St. George South Manor for Seniors. He has also served in executive roles with the Terra Nova chapter of the Canada Post Corporation Heritage Club and with community television. He has served with the Lions Club and Lions Foundation in executive roles locally, provincially, nationally and internationally and has been chair of the Lions Max Simms Memorial Camp.

Gerard Duffney - Corner Brook
Gerard Duffney has been a volunteer for 12 years. He is a dedicated fundraiser for the Red Cross, the Janeway Telethon and other charities. He has been involved with various community events and celebrations, including the Canada Winter Games, the Cabot 500 Celebrations and the Viking 1000 Celebrations. He serves on the Western Memorial Regional Hospital Foundation and the Corner Brook Cruise Association Committee. 

Annie Gibbons - Pigeon Cove
Annie Gibbons has been a dedicated volunteer in her community for 64 years. She is active in her church and in community organizations. She served as a Girl Guide leader for 10 years, has raised funds for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Mental Health Association, and has been treasurer of the Community Living Association for 12 years.

Diane Hawco - Stephenville
Diane Hawco has been volunteering for over two decades. She is a member of the Canadian Progress Club, is active in organizations for the arts and has served as a town councillor. She has been involved with numerous educational and health initiatives providing support to persons with challenging needs. She has served for 20 years, locally and provincially, with the Association for Community Living. For most of that time, she has been local president. 

Gillian Hillyard - St. Anthony
Gillian Hillyard has been volunteering for over a quarter century, locally, regionally and provincially. She is involved with the local historical society, recreational sports programs and community events, including planning for the Cabot 500 Celebrations. She is a member of her local hospital auxiliary, and a member of the provincial Board of Health Care Auxiliaries. She is also active with Girl Guides and serves on the Rising Sun Economic Development Board.

Elsie Keeping - Channel - Port aux Basques
Elsie Keeping has been a dedicated volunteer for over half a century. She is active in her church, with home visits, hospital and other community outreach organizations and activities. She is tireless in her help and support of her community, and is known to all as a person who extends a hand in time of need.

A.M. (Gus) Kerwin - Deer Lake
Gus Kerwin has been a local and regional volunteer for three decades. He has held executive positions within the Lions Club, Royal Canadian Legion and Knights of Columbus, as well as with various school-related organizations and boards. He is involved with the Sea Cadets and sat for 20 years on the town council, 18 of those as mayor, making him the town's longest-serving mayor. 

Stephen Knudsen - St. Lunaire - Griquet
Stephen Knudsen has been a volunteer for more than 25 years at the local, regional and provincial levels. He is involved in the cross-country ski club, has been a town council member and is currently chair of the board of Grenfell Regional Health Services. He is a founding member of the Nortip Development Corporation and the Petit Nord Nature and Heritage Society and is a director of the Chamber of Commerce. He has been involved in cultural and historical organizations, including the Newfoundland Archaeological Heritage Outreach Program and The Rooms Advisory Committee.

Leonard Matthews - Burgeo
Leonard Matthews has been volunteering for more than 30 years. He has been active with the Sea Cadets, and is a member of the Board of the Sou'West Seniors Complex. He was responsible for the formation of his community's volunteer fire department and served as its chief for 30 years. 

Denise May - Corner Brook
Denise May has been volunteering locally, provincially, nationally and internationally for 16 years. She has served her community with dedication to sports, such as alpine skiing and gymnastics, but most notably triathlon. She is chairperson and race director of the Corner Brook Triathlon Committee which annually hosts an international World Cup triathlon event, as well as the largest "Kids of Steel"event in Canada. She has also served on the board of Triathlon Canada.

Bessie Merrigan - Pasadena
Bessie Merrigan has been volunteering for 31 years. She is active in her church and has been involved with the quilters guild, the swim club, hockey moms and figure skating. Her most notable contribution has been in leadership roles, regionally, provincially and nationally, in organizations promoting literacy. She has been president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council since 1988 and is on the national board. She is chair of the Literacy Development Council and initiated the "Books for Babies" program, which has since been launched provincially.

Barbara O'Keefe - Stephenville Crossing 
Barbara O'Keefe has been a volunteer for more than half a century. She has held executive positions with the Lioness Club and the Cancer Society. She has served her community on the library board and the town council and has promoted women's health issues. Her major contribution has been with the Society for the Care and Protection of Animals, of which she is currently president. She was the driving force behind construction of a new animal shelter obtaining land and funding.

Mary Payne - Deer Lake 
Mary Payne has been volunteering locally, regionally and provincially for 21 years. A long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, she is past president of its provincial command ladies' auxiliary. She also serves the Vera Perlin Society and the Red Cross equipment loan program. She was founder and first president of the Sea Cadet Moms and is active within her church, community organizations and the Humber Valley Development Association.

Alfred Toope - St. Barbe
Alfred Toope has been volunteering in his community for 14 years. His most notable contributions have been in the area of recreational sports. He has coached minor hockey and served as president of the local association, as well as being involved with cross-country skiing.

Minnie Vallis - Meadows
Minnie Vallis has been a volunteer for over 30 years. She is involved with arts, music and church groups, and the local seniors' club. She has been active in youth organizations such as 4-H and Girl Guides. She was involved in municipal politics for 14 years and was mayor of her town. She has served on the executive of provincial and national organizations for persons with disabilities, advocates against sexual violence, and is an honourary member of Corner Brook Status of Women.

Arthur Vincent Sr. - York Harbour
Arthur Vincent Sr. has been volunteering locally and regionally for more than 30 years. He is active in church and community organizations and has undertaken leadership roles in the Lions Club and the 4-H Club. He has served on the harbour authority and the Outer Bay of Islands Round Table. He is deputy chief for his local aboriginal board and is currently mayor of his town.

Harold Wells - Stephenville
Harold Wells has been a volunteer for over 35 years. He has held executive positions locally, regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally within the Lions Club and Lions Foundation. He has served his community through his church, library board and fire brigade, and as deputy mayor of Stephenville Crossing. He has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 42 years and has held all offices including president.

2001 11 28                            2:00 p.m.