The recipients of the 2011 Ontario Senior Achievement Awards are:
CENTRAL ONTARIO
Evelyn Cowan has had a positive impact on the quality of life in Bracebridge through her volunteer efforts with the Red Cross, Cancer Society and the Alzheimer Society of Canada. She also volunteers her time to work with palliative care patients and their families at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.Roy Kerr has contributed to the quality of life, not only in the Town of Gravenhurst, but also provincially through his involvement with the United Senior Citizens of Ontario. Roy has also inspired senior volunteers to assist in community building projects including a woodworking shop for the seniors’ centre.
Evelyn (Evie) Masson is a lifelong volunteer and contributes to the betterment of individuals in her Municipality of Callander through fund raising and her commitment to heritage preservation and horticulture.
Rayner McCullough was a tireless leader in the move and expansion of Barrie’s Royal Victoria hospital. Thanks in part to his efforts the hospital has angiograms, cancer treatment facilities and MRIs. Rayner also contributed to the publication of an award-winning book celebrating the City of Barrie.
Dr. Al Scarth of Barrie continues to contribute to the health care system in Ontario since his retirement from diagnostic radiology in 1998. He advises many health care organizations, including health councils, a children’s treatment network and a detox centre he helped to create.
EASTERN ONTARIO
Marthe Boileau actively volunteers to assist disadvantaged people in her community of Bourget, whether it’s preparing meals for the Prescott-Russell Association of Community Services or helping organize activities for the residents of Bourget Nursing Home.Achille Drouin is a retired geography professor from Casselman who has spent the past five years devoting his time to environmental and humanitarian causes. He works to protect Ontario’s forests. He and his wife also spend one month a year in the Dominican Republic with the “Solidarite jeunesse” organization working with volunteers on projects such as building houses and planting trees.
Irvin Woermke is a tireless advocate for quality, affordable housing in Arnprior. He is Arnprior’s 2011 Senior of the Year and a recipient of the Tree of Life which honours veterans, community leaders and volunteers in Arnprior.
NORTH WESTERN ONTARIO
Toots (Elsie) Everley is a member of the Redlake District Lions Club, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and is a dedicated supporter of the Club Day Away Program, which gives seniors an opportunity to engage in activities outside of a hospital setting.SOUTH CENTRAL ONTARIO
June Crawford volunteers in the Park Lane Terrace Long Term Care Facility in Paris. She runs an early morning coffee social, organizes craft activities and helps out in other areas of the facility.Isabella Ferrara is Chair of the Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative (SAVI). Isabella directs many initiatives, including Seniors Summits, an annual Seniorsfest, a Seniors’ Information Day and fundraising activities for many worthy causes.
Helen Iutzi was influential in creating the Rural Women’s Support Program in Guelph- Wellington and has volunteered with Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis for 20 years.
Douglas Rapelje started his career at Welland’s Sunset Haven Home for Seniors. Since retiring in 1995 he has been actively involved in making communities more age-friendly. He is also recognized nationally as a leading advocate for seniors’ issues, particularly long-term care. The City of Welland has named its new home for the aged Rapelje Lodge in his honour
SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO
Susie Jones has worked more than 30 years on behalf of the Residential School Survivors of Canada’s aboriginal community. She has also served on Walpole Island’s first elected school board and as an elected trustee on the Lambton Kent School Board.Theresa Nadeau is the Innkeeper at Shepherd’s Way in Chatham where she helps people in need of food, lodging and sometimes financial assistance. Guests with limited resources are not expected to pay for their meals. Theresa also provides a prayer room for those who ask for a place to mediate or pray.
Ed Quigley of Strathroy has been using his expertise and experience over the past 14 year to help thousands of Canadians and inmates file their income tax returns. He has also worked to help inmates obtain key personal information before their release.
GREATER TORONTO AREA
Dorothy Kew was a powerful influence on both the initial and on-going success of the ground-breaking Mississauga Historic Images Gallery. She is a role model for all volunteers in the heritage field and is recognized for her professionalism and her passion for history.Ligeng Luo was instrumental in establishing the Mississauga Jiahua Chinese Seniors’ Association at the Frank Mckechnie Community Centre and volunteers 35 -45 hours a week teaching dance, music, sports, Tai Chi and Basic English language classes to members.
Frank O’Hara of Toronto has committed his time and energy to many great causes, from international mentoring and advisory work through the Canadian Executive Service Organization and working with mental health organizations to helping new French speaking immigrants find work.
| Greg Dennis, Minister's Office, 416-326-7710 Denelle Balfour, Communications, 416-212-3928 |
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