Thirty one people in Huron and Bruce have been recognized for their community efforts as part of Canada's 150th celebrations.
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb made the presentations in Wingham Wednesday night.
It was a diverse group, as the volunteers were recognized for efforts ranging from agriculture and the environment, to health, to economic development and public service.
"It's just a snapshot of the greater population in Huron-Bruce that do just fantastic work in our community," says Lobb. "And more often than not they do it on their own time and they do it because they love what their community is about."
Donald Farrell of Ripley was recognized for his commitment to agriculture and the environment through his work with the Pine River Watershed Initiative.
"You know, every tree everybody notices, you go down the road and there are more trees," says Farrell. "The cottagers along lake, they're starting to realize what we are doing inland and I'm sure all of our work will pay off in time."
Wingham's Tim Poole was recognized for his distinguished 23-year career in the Military Police and his work with the 543 Squadron, Air Cadets as commanding officer.
"Canada's the best place that I've ever been of all the countries I've been to in the world," says Poole. "I lived in the former communist regime of Czechoslovakia serving at the embassy there and watched the people that wanted to move to Canada."
Chandrashekher Tripathi of Kincardine was recognized for his commitment for advancing the cause of inclusion and diversity. He came to Canada in 1993 and is the founding member of the Kincardine Multicultural Celebration which has grown from a handful of booths and a couple hundred of visitors to a much bigger event over 15 years.
"With the 35 or 40 booths and 1,500 people, we can't take more than that," says Tripathi. "When more than 10% of the population comes to one festival, this is very good for the town."
Each of the 31 recipients were introduced and presented with a certificate.
They were selected after Lobb's office reached out to the communities and asked for nominations earlier this year.
Commemorative Canada 150 Recipients:
Bruce County Connie Barker, Southampton Michael Smith, Saugeen Shores Donald Gordon MacKay, Port Elgin Jay Bell, Kincardine Chandrashekher Tripathi, Kincardine Dona Swift, Kincardine Donald Farrell, Ripley Ralph Dietrich, Mildmay Rick McMurray, Lucknow
Huron County Jason Goodall, Wingham Timothy Poole, Wingham Steven Sparling, Blyth Doug McArter, Brussels Joseph Seli, Brussels Helen Craig, Walton Gwen Devereaux, Seaforth Donald Dodds, Seaforth Jack McLlwain, Seaforth John Patrick Ryan, Seaforth Fred Lobb, Clinton Robert 'Doc' Miller, Clinton Florence Pullen, Clinton Mary Lapaine, Goderich Norm Leddy, Goderich Maxine Seers, Goderich Delbert Shewfelt, Goderich David Yaates, Goderich Thomas Hayter, Dashwood Alma Westlake, Zurich Robert Heywood, Exeter John Rasenberg, Exeter
