Twenty residents from Lantzville to Ladysmith have been awarded the King Charles III Medal to recognize their significant contributions to the community.
"The goal of these medals is to be able to bring to light people in our community who are often not acknowledged for the important work that they do, so we've been calling them unsung heroes," NDP member of Parliament Lisa Marie Barron told the News Bulletin.
To be eligible, candidates had to have made "a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada," and have been alive at the time of the king's coronation in 2023.
There were 20 medals to give out in the riding, from 58 nominations. To narrow it down, a selection committee was designed with municipal representatives and other groups.
"The biggest challenge that we have, and one thing that was really highlighted through this process was how many incredible people we have that are doing the work," Barron said. "When things are challenging in our communities there are people out there who are lifting people up, who are doing so much work in our communities."
Those presented the award include Horst Backé, Reaching Out Assisting Refugees; Roger Bird, Vancouver Island Military Museum; David Boyce, mental health advocate; Joel Canfield, cycling advocate; Guy Dauncey, author and climate educator; Susan Fisher, Nanaimo and Area Land Trust; Terre Flower, anti-racism champion; William Good, Snuneymuxw master carver; Ron Gueulette, Cranberry Volunteer Fire Department; Jean-Michel Hanssens, environmentalist; Imogene Lim, educator and community organizer; Paul Manly, environmentalist and social advocate; Rick Meyers, LGBTQ advocate; Kate Mosse, Wiltshire Education Society; Lynn Redekopp, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10; Tom Roden, radio host; Lauren Semple, LGBTQ advocate; Janine Stokoe, 2422 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps parent support committee; and Kerrie Vockeroth, community volunteer.
Georgina Rosewall, with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 257, was presented the award posthumously.
