 |
|
|
2004
Recipients
|
Gwendolyn Boyes-Sitler, Vankoughnet – The Arts
Gwendolyn Boyes-Sitler is an
author and an artist. She passionately portrays on canvas her
florals, landscapes and farm animals from her Cherish Creek Studio
in Vankoughnet. Gwendolyn returned to Muskoka in 1991 to live and
work in her family home. She teaches painting from her home, and
is the founder of a large group of painters known as The Village
Painters. Gwendolyn has been recognized as a Canadian Artist by
the National Gallery of Canada and The Art Gallery of Ontario, but
as prestigious as this is, it is her most recent endeavour, the
writing and illustrating of The Winnie Stories, that is her
greatest sense of accomplishment. For her inspiration and faith,
Don and Heather Jones of Gravenhurst have nominated Gwendolyn
Boyes-Sitler for the award in The Arts. |
 |
| |
|
Anne Cool, Huntsville - Education
Anne Cool, was born in Trinidad,
child number seven, of ten. On a journey through the US to Canada,
Anne arrived in Huntsville five years ago to her most rewarding
career move to date – one that has supported her passion for
inspiring people to recognize and develop to their full potential:
Human Resources practitioner for Algonquin Automotive. For Anne,
education is a practice and promotion of life-long learning that
recognizes and advocates for many paths beyond the boundaries of
traditional education. She further models this through the
development of employment and co-op opportunities professionally
and her volunteer work as chair of Education Huntsville, and
co-founder of the Opening Doors program – a skills and trades
program for young girls. For her endless commitment to promoting
education and in particular for her connection to school aged
children, Laurie Harley and Ronna Hutchins have nominated Anne for
the award for Education. |
 |
Barbara Dawson, Bracebridge –
Culture & Heritage
Barbara Dawson is a storyteller
with a mission: to preserve heritage. She is driven relentlessly
by her passion to preserve and maintain the history and related
artefacts of Muskoka and served on many committees with the same
mission. With her husband she has built a log cabin using
primitive tools, and they retreat there for life off the
electrical grid. At historical events, you are likely to find her
in period pioneer costume where she persistently reminds us that
pioneer women played an equal role to pioneer men in the
development of this land. She has sustained a 20-year commitment
to Muskoka Pioneer Power Association alone, authored their
commemorative Anniversary Book, and been instrumental in
researching the knowledge and funding that preserved 1927 LINN
Tractor Project in Muskoka. She has also maintained the archives
of the United Church for 30 years, and was responsible for the
book published for their 100-year anniversary. For her dedication,
enthusiasm and talent, Shirley Hammond and Murray Jibb have
nominated Barbara for the award in Culture and Heritage. |
Judith Moore, Bracebridge -
Entrepreneur
Judy Moore has been a notable
female presence in Muskoka’s Emergency Medical Services since
1980. She owns two businesses and employs over 100 people through
Muskoka Central Ambulance Communication Centre and Muskoka
Ambulance Service, a business her parents, Ann & James Thwaites
started in 1961 and Judy took over in 1985. In 1999, Judy’s
business became the first successful service provider under this
new municipal ambulance contracts, and the only provincial service
owned by a woman. In her business, she and her staff run a fight
against a clock, and she is proud of the accomplishments and high
standards met by her staff on a daily basis. In her community,
Judy initiates programs for youth including the school based PARTY
program, and participates in programs such as Opening Doors, a
career program for young girls and support programs as a Breast
Cancer survivor. Judy is surrounded by and works with most of her
family, and extends the warmth of family to her colleagues. Steven
Clement, Ambulance Communications Supervisor and Land Ambulance
Manager Terri Burton nominate Judy Moore for this prestigious
award. |
| |
|
Jennifer Peake, 25, Bracebridge – Young Woman of Distinction
Early and well developed
leadership skills, and years of volunteer work mark Jennifer as a
young woman dedicated to the needs of others. You may find
Jennifer on horseback at the Equidome volunteering with Community
Living, teaching Sunday school to high school kids, raising funds
for the Kidney Foundation or working with disadvantaged youth. But
you may just as likely find her on stage with Jam Sandwich or
leading drama instruction. For her community spirit and
thoughtfulness of others, Ginny Kernohan and Reverend Sue Woods
have nominated Jennifer for the award of Young Woman of
Distinction, a distinction for which she has been nominated twice. |
 |
| |
|
Robin Stewart, 27, Bracebridge – Young Woman of Distinction
Robin
Stewart has arrived at her present career as grade 7-8 homeroom
teacher at Bracebridge Public School, by way of a family life and
personal path routed in community and self-development from
Africa, New Zealand, Europe, Nelson, British Columbia, and most
recently, in the fly-in community of Quatar, Quebec. There, Robin
was challenged to develop meaningful learning experiences as a
‘white’ teacher in a native community, where social conditions
demanded inventive teaching units and personal persistence to
build trust and inspire successful outcomes. For her incredible
energy, humanitarian ideals, grassroots activism, and unwavering
commitment, Jamie Smit and Molly Hopkins have nominated Robin
Stewart for the award of Young Woman of Distinction. |
 |
|
2004
Nomination Categories
|
| |
The Arts
This woman is honoured for her achievements
in the expression, development, preservation, patronage and /or
promotion of the visual, literary or multi-media arts. |
| |
Education
This woman is honoured for her dedicated
achievements in practice, development and/or research in the
educational system. |
| |
Culture and Heritage
This woman has enriched the community through
her work to advance and maintain culture and heritage-oriented
initiatives. |
| |
Entrepreneurship
This woman has achieved success in
entrepreneurial endeavours, business, trades and/or the professions in
private, public or not-for-profit organizations. |
| |
Young Woman of Distinction
This young woman, less than 30 years of age,
is honoured for making a significant contribution to the life of her
community and for demonstrating a capacity for leadership. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
