Awards

Lifetime Networks of Victoria executive director Wendy-Sue Andrew (left) celebrates fellow staffer Melissa MacDonald, winner of Community Living BC’s Widening Our World award, in a modest ceremony Dec. 8. (Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Sassaman/Community Living BC)

Victoria woman awarded for uplifting vulnerable communities during pandemic

Dozens have received support from Melissa MacDonald and her Lifetime Networks Victoria team

Lifetime Networks of Victoria executive director Wendy-Sue Andrew (left) celebrates fellow staffer Melissa MacDonald, winner of Community Living BC’s Widening Our World award, in a modest ceremony Dec. 8. (Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Sassaman/Community Living BC)
Mary Lou Newbold has been named Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year for 2022. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)

Victoria eye care business co-owner honoured as Chamber member of the year

Mary Lou Newbold often first to welcome new members; is strong advocate for Chamber of Commerce

Mary Lou Newbold has been named Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year for 2022. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)
Camosun College student Katie Manomie is the recipient of the 2021 B.C. Lieutenant Governor’s Award for inclusion, democracy and reconciliation. (Photo courtesy Camosun College)

Award-winning Camosun student recognized for leading Indigenous peers

Sixties Scoop survivor Katie Manomie well known for supporting classmates

Camosun College student Katie Manomie is the recipient of the 2021 B.C. Lieutenant Governor’s Award for inclusion, democracy and reconciliation. (Photo courtesy Camosun College)
Cathy and Janice Gouk say that serving free Christmas lunches is their gift to the community that supports them all year round. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke cafe owner ‘shocked, honoured and humbled’ to win business of the year

Cathy’s Corner Cafe, Sooke Food Bank multiple winners for 2021 Business Excellence awards

Cathy and Janice Gouk say that serving free Christmas lunches is their gift to the community that supports them all year round. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Richard Mosdell, owner of Kenzen Karate, recently received an award from the District of Saanich for the positive impact the studio has had on the Saanich community. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

VIDEO: Saanich karate studio recognized for making positive community impact

Aikido expert Mayor Fred Haynes invited to Kenzen Karate to give seminar on martial art

Richard Mosdell, owner of Kenzen Karate, recently received an award from the District of Saanich for the positive impact the studio has had on the Saanich community. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Alberni Residential School survivor Kathleen Horne, right, and her husband Doug LaFortune stand by one of LaFortune’s carvings outside the First Peoples House at the University of Victoria on Sept. 24. Horne was featured in the Goldstream Gazette’s special series on Truth and Reconciliation. (Black Press Media file photo)

Goldstream Gazette’s Truth and Reconciliation series named national award finalist

Stories of Indigenous residental school survivors, Elders, changemakers featured in six-part series

Alberni Residential School survivor Kathleen Horne, right, and her husband Doug LaFortune stand by one of LaFortune’s carvings outside the First Peoples House at the University of Victoria on Sept. 24. Horne was featured in the Goldstream Gazette’s special series on Truth and Reconciliation. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Reklaws pose on the red carpet at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Calgary, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Dallas Smith named entertainer of the year, takes three trophies at CCMA Awards

Smith performed his single “Hide From a Broken Heart” for the fully vaccinated crowd

The Reklaws pose on the red carpet at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Calgary, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Coach Leanne Sirup and members of B.C.’s 2017 NAIG swim team. (Submitted by Leanne Sirup)

National honour for Duncan swim coach Leanne Sirup

Stingrays coach receives Aboriginal Sport Circle’s National Indigenous Coaching Award for 2021

Coach Leanne Sirup and members of B.C.’s 2017 NAIG swim team. (Submitted by Leanne Sirup)
Scholarship recipients Bryce Schiebel and Monica Amos with Saanich mayor and chair of the CRD Traffic Safety Commission, Fred Haynes. (Courtesy of CRD)

Two Camosun College students honoured with memorial scholarships

Fifth annual Const. Sarah Beckett Memorial Scholarship awarded

Scholarship recipients Bryce Schiebel and Monica Amos with Saanich mayor and chair of the CRD Traffic Safety Commission, Fred Haynes. (Courtesy of CRD)
Diane Brennan is presented with Freedom of the City by Mayor Leonard Krog at a ceremony Monday, Oct. 4, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. (Photo courtesy Derek Johnstone/City of Nanaimo)

Former Nanaimo councillor Brennan honoured with Freedom of the City

Longtime councillor given the highest honour the city can bestow

Diane Brennan is presented with Freedom of the City by Mayor Leonard Krog at a ceremony Monday, Oct. 4, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. (Photo courtesy Derek Johnstone/City of Nanaimo)
Jeannine Caldbeck has served as fire chief of the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. (Photo by Dave Tarris)

Thetis Island fire chief first female in Canada to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association cites Caldbeck’s significant commitment

Jeannine Caldbeck has served as fire chief of the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. (Photo by Dave Tarris)
Representatives from Van Isle Windows celebrate a previous Torch Awards win at a gala hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. The 2021 finalists were recently announced. (Facebook/Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island)

Better Business Bureau Torch Awards double down with annual Vancouver Island celebration

2021 finalists come from two years of nominees; all to be recognized at November gala in Victoria

Representatives from Van Isle Windows celebrate a previous Torch Awards win at a gala hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. The 2021 finalists were recently announced. (Facebook/Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island)
UBCM awards took place virtually this year. (Photo courtesy of UBCM)

Highlands awarded by UBCM for work in sustainable asset management

Union of B.C. Municipalities Community Excellence Awards handed out virtually

UBCM awards took place virtually this year. (Photo courtesy of UBCM)
Darrel J. McLeod is nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for his book Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity, A Memoir. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)

Sooke author among finalists for $60K Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust prize

Prize is the richest annual literary award for Canadian nonfiction

Darrel J. McLeod is nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for his book Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity, A Memoir. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)
Comox Valley Record reporter Erin Haluschak is up for a Jack Webster Award. Photo by Terry Farrell

Comox Valley Record reporter up for a Jack Webster Award

Erin Haluschak named a finalist for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Reporting

Comox Valley Record reporter Erin Haluschak is up for a Jack Webster Award. Photo by Terry Farrell
This combination of photos shows nominees for the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, from left, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. (AP Photo)

Chris Stapleton, Eric Church share top CMA nominations

Paired joined by Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs as entertainer of the year nominees

This combination of photos shows nominees for the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, from left, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. (AP Photo)
Bill Collins, chairperson of Cascadia Seaweed, enjoys a piece of sugar kelp, earlier in 2020. The company is part of the Oceans 2050 Seaweed Project, which won a 2021 Keeling Curve Prize. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney company part of award-winning climate change project

Cascadia Seaweed part of Oceans 2050 project that won Keeling Curve Prize

Bill Collins, chairperson of Cascadia Seaweed, enjoys a piece of sugar kelp, earlier in 2020. The company is part of the Oceans 2050 Seaweed Project, which won a 2021 Keeling Curve Prize. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich teacher Omar Azim, who works at Royal Oak Middle School, was awarded the Loran Scholars Foundation Teachers Building Leaders Award earlier this year. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Saanich teacher recognized for guidance, growth by student who became Loran scholar

‘Mr. Azim is a teacher who has built not one leader, but many’

Saanich teacher Omar Azim, who works at Royal Oak Middle School, was awarded the Loran Scholars Foundation Teachers Building Leaders Award earlier this year. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
On National Peacekeepers’ Day, the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association’s (CPVA) Outstanding Service Award was given to Broadmead Care’s Veterans Memorial Lodge and Veterans Health Centre. On hand for the ceremonies were: Harold Leduc (left), former president of the CVPA; Heather Parry, chair of Broadmead Care board; Denise May, Broadmead Care interim CEO, and Ron Lloyd, director of Broadmead Care board. (Courtesy of Broadmead Care)

Second World War veterans on hand for Saanich care centre’s outstanding service award

Broadmead Care Society’s Veterans Memorial Lodge and Veterans Health Centre earn award

On National Peacekeepers’ Day, the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association’s (CPVA) Outstanding Service Award was given to Broadmead Care’s Veterans Memorial Lodge and Veterans Health Centre. On hand for the ceremonies were: Harold Leduc (left), former president of the CVPA; Heather Parry, chair of Broadmead Care board; Denise May, Broadmead Care interim CEO, and Ron Lloyd, director of Broadmead Care board. (Courtesy of Broadmead Care)
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is among three Greater Victoria residents honoured with the 2021 Order of B.C. Aug. 2 for their contributions to the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Three Greater Victoria residents awarded Order of B.C.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, Dr. Debra Braithwaite and Andrew Petter honoured

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is among three Greater Victoria residents honoured with the 2021 Order of B.C. Aug. 2 for their contributions to the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)