Tilson Presents 30 diamond Jubilee Medals

The Diamond Jubilee medal program is a legacy activity that honours Her Majesty and recognizes the service of Canadians from all walks of life and backgrounds who have made significant contributions to their communities.  At the commencement of the presentation ceremony, Mr. Tilson said "It gives me great pleasure to honour the 60 year reign of a Sovereign who has dedicated her life to the service of others and who has demonstrated pride and affection for Canada. The thirty citizens honoured here tonight have certainly made outstanding contributions to their communities and their country!"

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Recipients

Kathy Armstrong

For her service to health care in her community as a Board Member and Past Chair of the Headwaters health Care Foundation. Kathy continues to work tirelessly as the current Chair of the Special Events Committee raising funds to keep the hospital well equipped. Kathy also provides continuity to the foundation as a valued member of the governance committee.

Steve Brown

For his dedication to the history of Dufferin County as a talented archivist and as a knowledgeable and entertaining storyteller both orally and through his writing. Steve is a much sought after speaker in his community.

David Childs

For his vision and leadership as Board Chairman of Dufferin Community Living. His team building resulted in a unique partnership that resulted in a successful conclusion to an eventful four year journey. Building Dreams Together, a successful fundraising and construction project resulted in a 24,000 square foot joint-use facility that enhances Community Living Dufferin’s goal of ensuring that people with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to be included in the life of the community and to share their gifts and talents.

Irwin Cortez

Cadet Master Warrant Office (MWO) Cortez has been a member of the Orangeville Army Cadets for five years. Master Warrant Officer Cortez’s commitment to his community has earned him the Chief Warrant Officer Nathan Teeter Award for community service two years in a row. This highly coveted award is awarded to the Cadet who accumulates the most community service hours within a training year.

Alex Court

For his contribution to his community through his involvement with scouts and scouting. Currently, Alex is a much valued Venturer Scout of the first Bolton Venture Scout Company. In addition to his many awards and medals, in 2011, Alex became the Yellow Briar Area Youth Commissioner whose role is to ensure meaningful youth involvement and to promote and facilitate youth initiatives.

Gord Courtney

For his service to his community as a Councilor and Mayor. Long-time dedicated member of the Oddfellow Lodge. During Gord’s time as Mayor, Orangeville enjoyed significant industrial growth and the return of the Farmers Market.

Heather French

For her volunteer service to the Town of Caledon as co-chair of the annual Bolton Truck and Tractor Pull. Long-time Director and current President of Albion and Bolton Agricultural Society. Heather also volunteers as manager of a girls hockey team and as a School Council Chair.

Janice Gooding

For her service to her community as a Town Councilor and Reeve and as a Dufferin County Councilor. Also for her efforts to help revitalize the downtown in Orangeville. In 1991, Councilor Gooding began a hands-on relationship managing and growing the Orangeville Farmers Market. A relationship that continued for the next 17 years.

Robert Gordanier

For his service to agriculture. Bob holds active positions with several organizations including Ontario Cattlemen Association, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Identification Agency and as a director of the Agricultural Adoption Council since 2008. Bob operates a cow-calf forage based operation with his son Andrew in the Town of Mono.

Grace Hong

Lieutenant (Navy) Grace Hong joined the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Crescent in 1996 rising to become the Coxswain and Chief Petty Officer First Class. In 2003, she became a Cadet Instructor Cadre Reserve Officer. In 2012, she became the Commanding Officer.

Larry Kurtz

Is the founder of the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival. Larry’s hard work and talent has brought the festival from humble beginnings ten years ago to the large first class event it is today welcoming over 33,000 Blues and Jazz fans to some of the finest Blues and Jazz musicians in the country. Outstanding!

Carman Lemcke

Carman spent 36 of his 37 year police service career serving the people of the Town of Shelburne. At the time of his retirement in 1993, Chief Lemke was the longest serving Chief of Police in the Province of Ontario. Both his son and grandson have followed Carman into careers as police officers.

Dwight Matson

For his service to agriculture as a longtime Director and Past President of the Bolton Agricultural Society. Dwight is a successful dairy and cash crop farmer as well as a Director and Past President of the Peel Federation of Agriculture. Dwight also volunteers for the Albion Hills Community Forum and Learning Centre.

David Nairn

David Nairn is being presented the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to the arts as the Artistic Director of Theatre Orangeville. He has also volunteered his time in Orangeville and surrounding communities as a performer and Master of Ceremonies for many events. His creative vision and commitment are enriching the community by providing high quality professional theatre that showcase new Canadian works.

Wayne Noble

Over the past twenty years, Wayne has contributed countless hours to establishing and maintaining public trails throughout Canada. Wayne has been instrumental in establishing a new Caledon East Community Trail. Wayne is also actively involved with the Headwaters Committee in Action Working Group.

Beverley Nurden

Outstanding coordinator/manager of the Caledon Seniors Centre at Rotary Way, Member of the Caledon Health Centre Advisory Working Group, Co-editor at the Caledon Senior Centre News and manager of social events and recreation at the Caledon Seniors Centre creating a “home away from home.”

Neil Orford

Has been an inspiring  Dufferin Secondary School teacher for over 25 years. Neil assists his students to understand what it means to be a Canadian. He is one of only a few teachers in Canada to include a European Battlefield tour of historic sites for his students grade 12 curriculum. Neil is an Ontario Prmier’s Teacher of the Year for 2011-2012.

Allan Pettit

He was a Retired Mississauga Fire Captain Al Pettit had a distinguished career as a fire fighter and in death, as in life, he continues his fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Diagnosed with ALS in 2003, Al never quit fighting whether serving as an ambassador on an ALS online forum or participating in ALS fundraising in Orangeville and Brampton. He was instrumental in bringing the annual ALS Walk to Orangeville. He started alsforum.com an online support site for ALS sufferers and their families.

In death, Al donated his spinal cord and a portion of his brain to assist researchers. Accepting the Diamond Jubilee Medal for Al is his wife Lee.

Vera Robinson

Vera has been a service to her community for many years as a volunteer for Hospice Caledon, Family Transition Place and Caledon Community Service. In her spare time, Vera helps out at Dare Arts.

Bernie Rochon

For outstanding service to his community through his membership in the Palgrave Rotary Club as Past President and recipient of the Paul Harris Award. Bernie is a walking talking example of “Service above Self” and his ongoing commitment to community and giving.

Alex Rodriguez

For his service to seniors in his community as President of the Caledon Seniors and as an active member of the Caledon Seniors Council. Alex is an effective advocate for senior citizens to municipal, provincial and federal government and their departments, providing “a voice for seniors.”

Dale Rutledge

Dale is a Melancthon potato farmer, past president of the North Dufferin Agricultural Taskforce. Community activist fighting to preserve the non-renewable resources of North Dufferin – including the headwaters and prime agricultural farmland.

Terry Sanderson

An outstanding athlete and a winner of provincial and national lacrosse championships as a player, coach and general manager. Two provincial hockey championships. Terry has devoted volunteer time coaching youth and developing skilled lacrosse and hockey players.

Jade Scognamillo

At 15 years of age on August 1^st 2009, Jade set the record as the youngest person to swim Lake Ontario in an official time of 19 hours 59 minutes and 49 seconds. Jade also realized a second goal with the swim by raising $35,000 for the pre-natal unit as Sick Kids Hospital.

Reverend Harvey Self

Has been Minister of Tweedsmuir Presbyterian Church Orangeville since 1996. A former moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, Reverend Self serves as Chaplain to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Orangeville. He served his country with military chaplaincy in the Canadian Forces for nine years in three postings.

Robert Shirley

For his dedication to his community as a Township Councilor, Deputy Reeve and Councilor and Warden of Dufferin County. Bob has spent 25 years on the board of Credit Valley Conservation, working tirelessly most recently on the Island Lake trails. For many rural Dufferin and Caledon residents, Bob can be counted on to make sure both they and their livestock don’t go thirsty.

Gillian Shute

Gillian Shute has been practicing law in Orangeville since 1992. Many, if not most, of Gillian’s clients are those that cannot afford a lawyer and would find themselves, without Gillian’s assistance, lost in the judicial system. To Gillian, it has always been people first, even sacrificing her own health to ensure that her clients have been well served.  It is not an overstatement to state that if Gillian had not come to our community, that many less fortunate would have found themselves without a voice during the most crucial times in their lives.

Scott Skimming

For his work as President and Head Coach of 310 Running, a not-for-profit track, cross country and road running club operating out of Bolton. Scott’s goal is to provide runners of all ages and abilities the opportunity to improve their running by providing athlete specific coaching and training programs.

Robert Smith

A former village councilor, Bob is a Volunteer Champion (2008) for his long service to Rotary. He is a four time Paul Harris Fellow for exceptional service to his community. Bob served in the RCAF during the Second World War and he is a regular volunteer with the Salvation Army.

Diane Tolstoy

For service to her community as volunteer coordinator for Operation Red Nose – Caledon, a truly pro-active community project to reduce impaired driving in Caledon. In addition to being a large scale designated driving campaign, Operation Red Nose Caledon, thanks to Diane’s effort, is a fundraiser for organizations who work with young people.