A special ceremony was held at the Richmond Golf and Country Club last Friday to recognize more than two dozen individuals from Delta and Richmond for their selfless contributions to their communities.
Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay handed out Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to a range of recipients, from business, non-profit, law enforcement and athletics.
The medal marks the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II and is meant to honour significant achievements by Canadians.
"These are people who have literally given decades of service to our communities of Richmond and Delta by making our special part of the world a better place to live, work, raise our families and enjoy the beauty and opportunities that surround us," Findlay told the large audience.
Saying the recipients represent the highest ideals of community service, Findlay noted the nomination process became a unique insight into just how many dedicated people are serving their communities.
Here's a list of the recipients with Richmond ties:
Mahmood Awan has served on many community committees such as Touchstone Family Association. He is a leader in the community with respect to multiculturalism.
Alex Bovey has a deep interest in the well-being of Canada and has volunteered thousands of hours to municipal, provincial and federal community initiatives.
Malcolm Brodie has been Mayor of Richmond since 2001 and on Council since 1996. He served on the Metro Vancouver Board, the Advisory Board of the Canadian Police College, and was a Director of Translink.
Michael Chiu has served his community tirelessly in the Richmond Sunset Rotary, the Richmond Information Services Society, the Richmond Community Foundation, the Richmond Chinese Community Society, Tourism Richmond, and as an Olympic Ambassador.
Charmis DeBoer has been instrumental in a number of Steveston community projects including the Community Society, the Salmon Festival, and the Farmers' & Artisans' Market.
Dr. Kenneth Fung has served many organizations including: Vancouver Multicultural Society, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and Chinese Canadian Cultural Society of Greater Vancouver.
Dr. Don McKenzie, sports medicine physician, formed his innovative, now proven, theory in 1996 that repetitive upper body exercise would be beneficial for anyone who had been treated for breast cancer.
Gurdial Singh Neel has volunteered as an interpreter and member of many community committees such as the Emergency Plan Committee and Director of Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society.
Georgina Patko created the "Families Eating Together Campaign", founded the "Caring About Kids" mentoring program, and has volunteered with the Richmond Food Security Society, Covenant House, SEEDS, and the Richmond Child Care Advisory Council.
Bruce Rozenhart is a community business leader with over 25 years experience in public affairs. He has earned the respect of community and business leaders.
Dave Semple has volunteered in Richmond for over three decades. His knowledge of the Gulf of Georgia National Historic Site helped it become a beacon of the west coast fishing industry and a jewel for Steveston.
Wilbur A. Walrond has contributed more than 50 years of continuous service to our community especially in assisting new immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago.
John Young has been a long time volunteer coordinator for many sporting events such as the Terry Fox Foundation, Sport Canada, Speed Skating at the Richmond Oval, and the Olympics.
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