As he accepted the Citizen of the Year award during the annual Olds Rotary Club Harvest Ball at the Alumni Centre Saturday night, Gary Gaudette was pretty modest.
MC and Olds Rotary Club president-elect Terry Cody sang Gaudette's praises, describing him as a resident who “has been instrumental in making Olds what it is today.”
“Our recipient tonight not only consistently puts others' needs before his own, he does it with ease and a sense of humour that encourages others to join him,” Cody said.
During an on-screen tribute, Gaudette was described by an announcer as “a tireless volunteer who has filled many roles in Olds minor hockey, minor soccer, minor lacrosse and Olds curling.”
The announcer said Gaudette was “instrumental” in bringing the Alberta Men's Curling Playdowns to Olds.
He has also been involved with the Breakfast for Learning program at Ecole Deer Meadow School.
Gaudette was also described as “a constant promoter of the town of Olds.”
“His energy, enthusiam and positive attitude make Gary a perfect recipient of the Rotary Citizen of the Year (award),” the announcer said.
Gaudette described the moment when he heard he was getting the award.
“One morning I get a call at work and it's Norm McInnis. He says ‘Gary, have you got a minute?' The first thing that goes through my mind is that one of the kids did something at the arena,” he said, prompting laughter from the crowd. “That's what usually happens when I get a call from the arena, there's something wrong at the arena.
“He says ‘no, you got nominated for Citizen of the Year.'
“I said, ‘well that's awesome.'
“And then he says, ‘the best part is you're the recipient' and that's when I started looking for cameras,” Gaudette said (provoking more laughter) thinking this is a prank, but sure enough, he says ‘yeah, you're the recipient of the Citizen of the Year (award)'.”
Gaudette thanked his nominator Kelly Clark and the Rotary Club for presenting him with the award.
“It's quite an honour to receive this award for something that I like doing,” he said.
For more Harvest Ball/Citizen of the Year coverage, please see pages 7 and 8.
