CANORA- On Jan. 3, the Canora Golf and Country Club was the site of the presentation of Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals, in honour of the Queen’s seven decades of service to Canada. Awards were presented to deserving recipients from across the Canora-Pelly riding.
Canora-Pelly MLA Terry Dennis opened the evening with a message of welcome.
“Tonight we are honouring people who have done so much for their communities, their region, and for the entire province.”
Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod, the award presenter for the evening, said that recognizing these individuals for their work and accomplishments in this way does more than just acknowledge their efforts.
“It also encourages others to emulate them,” said McLeod. “It inspires others to follow them.”
McLeod went on to share the words of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth in her address to the United Nations General Assembly on July 6, 2010.
"I know of no single formula for success…
“But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal…
“And are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration…To work together."
McLeod added, “I am privileged to be here, to personally acknowledge you in the name of Her late Majesty, for all you have done—and continue to do—to help make this great province worthy of her legacy.”
A number of the award recipients are from Canora and the surrounding area.
Following are the names of the recipients and brief notations of the public service of each as was mentioned during the ceremony.
Brad Gabora
Brad Gabora has volunteered and served as a board member with The Canora Golf & Country club. He has volunteered and coached minor hockey; volunteered in senior hockey and soccer, and is a volunteer on the Canora Rec Board.
Larry Hilworth
Larry Hilworth volunteers and donates equipment for the Ag Communitly Farming for The Health Foundation and helps grow crops with funds donated to the Health Foundation, which has raised over $2 million to date. He has been involved in the Yorkton Terriers farming project fundraiser, as well as being a director and president with Yorkton chamber of commerce, Yorkton chamber tourism building, Yorkton Snow Riders, Yorkton Exhibition association volunteer, Harvest Showdown, Yorkton truck and tractor pull committee, Timmies Snowarama volunteer and participant, along with various other fundraiser events.
Sylvester Hrynkiw
Sylvester Hrynkiw was recognized for his work on Canora Town Council, as well as volunteering in minor ball, minor hockey, senior hockey, coaching various high school sports, and volunteering with the Canora health foundation fundraiser.
Bob Kolodziejski
Bob Kolodziejski has given his time as a Christmas Eve supper volunteer, and also coached and volunteered in minor ball, minor hockey, the Canora Curling Club, and the Canora Golf Course.
Lorne Kopelchuk, a former town councillor and the MLA, has volunteered and worked as a coach, referee, umpire and treasurer in high school football, minor hockey, Junior B hockey, senior hockey; minor baseball, Health Foundation East Central Saskatchewan, Canora Health Foundation and the Canora Chamber of Commerce.
Morley Leung
Morley Leung received a medal for assisting with building the current Canora Football field, coaching numerous high school sports, and for his involvement with the Buchanan curling club. He has also been a Black Box Theatre organizer and participant.
Garry Liebrecht
Garry Liebrecht’s community involvement includes: Rhein senior hockey coach, women’s ball coach, Rhein Lions Club as president and fundraiser, Rhein skating rink fundraiser and chairperson, volunteer and fundraiser for P.K. Bingo, Rhein Hall, Christ Lutheran Church, and Rhein cemetery committee. He was the reeve for the RM of Wallace, and chairperson and founder of the Assiniboia Watershed.
Taras Korol
Taras Korol is a volunteer at the Canora Ukrainian Heritage Museum. He has also worked in minor hockey, his church, the Lions club, Ag Society, youth summer camp and Trident Camp.
Dorothy Korol
Dorothy Korol is a volunteer at Canora’s Ukrainian Heritage Museum. She has also volunteered in her church, the tourism committee, music festivals, Ukrainian dance, figure skating, Arts Council, and Band Boosters.
Mel McCormick
Mel McCormick has volunteered at the Canora Curling club, including making ice. His other work has been with minor hockey, minor ball, coaching soccer, community fundraising for Canora Hospital auxiliary, Friends Helping Friends, and Christmas Eve suppers.
Donna McCormick
Donna McCormick has volunteered with a wide range of community groups including: Canora Nursery school, Ukrainian dance, soccer, baseball, women’s auxiliary, Girl Guides, archery, Canora hospital foundation, Friends Helping Friends, figure skating, minor hockey, school board, school community council, caring community, and lunch warm-up.
Kelly McTavish
Kelly McTavish was recognized for contributing his time to: coaching Canora Minor Ball, coaching senior and minor hockey, minor hockey executive; Canora Golf Course volunteer and president, and Youth Golf Camp.
Deryl Ortynsky
Deryl Ortynsky’s volunteer work has included: Canora Supers Senior Baseball coach, Canora Rec Hockey 4 team league organizer, baseball and rec hockey official, Canora Golf Course executive during course expansion, and Canora Chamber of Commerce President. He currently sits on the Town of Canora commercial development committee and is a member of Citizens on Police Patrol.
Walter Ostoforoff
Walter Ostoforoff is a volunteer with the National Doukhobor Heritage Village. His other volunteer work includes: minor hockey, minor baseball, community association at Saskatoon, certified management association, and he is a member of the executive of the Saskatoon Chapter Certified Management Accountants
Gina Rakochy
Gina Rakochy’s contributions have included: volunteer work with Canora Skating club, School of Dance, Canora nursery, Canora leisure services, Canora town council, Canora Legion, local school board, Canora Minor Hockey, tourism committee, Canora centennial celebration committee, Canora aquatic club, Assiniboine archery, Beta Sigma Phi, and Canora Health foundation.
Vern Schick
Vern Schick has been active in sports, including volunteering as a hockey coach, coaching and umpiring fastball and baseball, summer games coach and volunteer, and a curling volunteer. He has also worked on various church committees for over 30 years, the Sask Wheat Pool committee, and numerous community boards and organizations.
Vince Somogyi
Vince Somogyi’s accomplishments include: Willowbrook Lions Club President, curling club president and caretaker, community centre volunteer, fundraising and catering, and coaching baseball.
Darryl Stevenson
Darryl Stevenson has been involved with numerous committees at Burgis Beach and has served as an executive member and volunteer for the Good Spirit Cross-Country Ski Club. He has served on the Good Spirit Watershed board, Good Spirit Provincial Park advisory committee and Friends of Good Spirit Lake. He has been a Canora Legion member, former member of Assiniboia Kinsmen, has coached high school football and minor ball, and worked for Veterans’ Christmas Hampers for children's toys.
Bonnie Swan
Bonnie Swan spearheaded a "Donation for displaced Ukrainians committee" where she, along with her husband Sam, and a group of volunteers pick up donated household furniture and household items. They then set up a new household for the newly-arrived Ukrainians. She also belongs to various other committees in her community and surrounding area.
Sean Wilson
Sean Wilson is a member of the Canadian Construction Association, Canora Rural Public Utility Board, Western Canadian Road Builders Association, Heavy Construction Association, and Tri-Party Steering Committee. He is the mayor of Buchanan, and a local R.M. councillor.
Terry Wilson
Terry Wilson has coached girls softball, minor ball, senior ball, volleyball, minor hockey and senior hockey. He has also co-ordinated youth golf clinics and youth curling.
Brandi Zavislak
Brandi Zavislak was recognized for her volunteer work as a minor hockey coach, on the senior hockey executive, on the Canora revitalize group, and as a member of the Canora tourism fundraising committee.
