SUNDRE – Numerous citizens from all walks of life – including community volunteers, politicians, civil servants as well as movers and shakers – have recently been recognized after being named recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
MLAs as well as mayors were among those who received one of the 7,000 medals that were minted by the Alberta government in recognition of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne. The medal program proceeded as planned and was expected to conclude on Feb. 5 despite the Sept. 8 natural death of the British Commonwealth’s longest-reigning monarch in history.
Institutions such as the Royal Canadian Legion and the Canadian Royal Purple Society as well as organizations like the Alberta Medical Association and Alberta Elks were also allotted set amounts of medals to distribute among members deemed to have demonstrated outstanding service to their communities and the province.
To receive the medal, anyone being nominated must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a tangible link to Alberta at the time the medal is granted.
As well, they have to have made a significant contribution to Canada, Alberta, or to a particular Alberta region or community and have been alive on February 6, 2022, the anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne.
The Olds branch of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE) hosted a ceremony on Feb. 4 where IODE Alberta president Valerie Braiden presented medals to members. Patricia Van Tetering, formerly of IODE Carstairs Dardanelles received the award as did Baron Tweedsmuir member Elsie Karpyshyn of Olds.
The Didsbury Elks Lodge hosted a ceremony in recent weeks during which the provincial organization awarded its medals. Among those receiving the award was Didsbury Elks member Margo Ward.
Olds Fire Department members, deputy chief Jason Kjorsvik and deputy chief Brian Powell, were also recently awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal from the provincial government.
On Sunday, Jan. 29, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon presented medals at three ceremonies in Caroline, Rocky Mountain House, and Sundre.
“Sundre is a community of people who take care of one another,” the MLA was quoted as saying in a provided statement. “The recipients of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medals each embody Her Late Majesty’s lifelong dedication to public service with their decades of contributing to important local causes.”
In his statement, the minister also congratulated all of the recipients and expressed gratitude for all of their contributions to make Sundre an even better place to live.
In a ceremony held at the Sundre town council chambers, Nixon presented medals to: Todd MacDonald, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Sundre Branch #223 and pastor of the Main Avenue Fellowship; Terri Miller, a fifth degree black belt who started the Mountain View Taekwondo Club in Sundre and also president of the Alberta Association of Community Peace Officers; Heidi Overguard, a local health-care professional who runs a dance studio and actively volunteers; Joyce Wicks, an active community volunteer boasting service records from several organizations; Shane Crouch, president of the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association as well as an organizer of the annual Sundre Pro Rodeo; and Gerald Ingeveld, chair of the Sundre Hospital Futures Committee and active community volunteer. Dave Matheson was also recognized, while Linda Nelson, Sundre’s chief administrative officer, was to be presented with a medal at a later date.
Among other recipients from the Sundre area recognized separately were Dr. Michelle Warren, Alberta Medical Association past president and local physician who owns and operates Moose and Squirrel Medical Clinic alongside husband Dr. Rob Warren, as well as Brenda Johnston, Sundre Royal Purple No. 191 president and past national president.
- With files from MVP staff
