Original appeared in The OSCAR, April 1996.
Characteristic of the Capital Ward community, a record crowd attended the Fourth Annual Whitton Awards ceremony, March 18, 1996. Well over 300 people attended the standing-room-only ceremony to honour their friends and neighbours for their community involvement.
Following cancellation of the City's volunteer appreciation ceremony several years ago, Councillor Jim Watson initiated the Whitton Awards, named after Ottawa's first female mayor and former Capital Ward alderman, Charlotte Whitton, to recognize the efforts of people who contribute so much to our community.
"I was overwhelmed by the turnout at this year's ceremony," said Councillor Jim Watson. "It was truly heartwarming to see such tremendous support for the incredible level of community voluntarism in Capital Ward."
Thirty two Whitton Award recipients were honoured for their activities at this year's ceremony, eleven from Old Ottawa South.
Amanda Foran and Noel Baldwin, Student Council Co-Presidents Glebe Collegiate assisted with presentation of the Environment awards to OPIRG-Carleton and Jeff Harrison & Victoria Dickenson from Old Ottawa South.
Jeff and Victoria are amateur naturalists who, through "The Urban Naturalist", a column they wrote in The Ottawa Citizen for seven years, sought to increase interest and awareness for nature within the urban community.
OPIRG-Carleton, a non-profit, student-run organization involved in research, education and action on social and environmental issues, has been involved in a naturalization project at Carleton University to turn a piece of land into a home for native animals and vegetation. Barbara Hicks and John Zvonar from the Glebe were the other Environment winners.
Celia Franca, founder of the National Ballet of Canada, co-founder of the National Ballet School and co-director of the School of Dance help present the Arts and Culture awards. Two Old Ottawa South residents were presented with Whitton Awards in this category.
David Bouse, restoration architect and heritage conservation specialist, has helped heighten community awareness of, and interest in, the history of Old Ottawa South.
Susan Gillmor, a local artist, is the President of Art Lending of Ottawa, a volunteer organization working to make local art accessible to residents of Ottawa and increase exposure of area artists. Glebe residents Pat Durr and Ian Van Lock were also presented with Arts and Culture awards.
Rod Bryden, Glebe resident, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa Senators, assisted with the Sports and Recreation awards to Old Ottawa South residents Robert Cook and Kristina Liljefors.
Rob, coordinator of the OSCA soccer house league program, 1992-95, organized one of the largest and most successful soccer house league programs in the City.
Kristina has been extremely active in scouting for 13 years as leader of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers. Throughout her service, she has had a tremendous impact on young people in our community. Glebe residents Kathryn Camfield & Colin Richards and Ottawa East residents Peggy Foley, Don Pease and Melanie Phillips also received awards in the Sports and Recreation category.
Graeme Kirby, President and General Manager of the Ottawa-Carleton Economic Development Corporation and Capital Ward resident, helped present the Business and Commercial Activities awards.
Chris Branch, former resident of Old Ottawa South, has worked hard to integrate business and the community by organizing and funding, through his company, The Halifax Group, the widely anticipated annual OSCA soccer festival. Glebe residents David Dunlop and David Gavsie were also presented with Business and Commercial Activities awards.
The Community Activism awards were co-presented by exceptional community leader and former Cabinet Minister, the Hon. Mitchell Sharp. Several Old Ottawa South residents were honoured for their involvement.
Peter Hecht, Editor of the OSCAR, works tirelessly to put this wonderful
community newspaper together every month and ensures Ottawa South residents remain informed of activities in their neighbourhood.
Ken Slemko has been extremely active with the Hopewell School Parent Teacher Organization for several years and presently as Chairperson of the Hopewell Renovation Committee.
Forrest and Diana Smith have both been incredibly active members since 1979. Diana has been involved with the OSCA and Hopewell School, while Forrest initiated OSCA T-ball and soccer programs, as well as the first street hockey tournament in 1994.
Jim Foster, Dr. Justin Maloney, Bryna Monson, Campbell Robertson and David Smith from the Glebe and Dow's Lake, Heron Park resident Marion Hall and Ottawa East resident Nancy Smith were also honoured for their extensive community activism.
Regional Councillor Brian McGarry helped present Honourary Whitton Awards to The Perley Hospital, part of Old Ottawa South since 1915 and widely recognized for excellence in patient care and cost effectiveness.
Julian Ovens, and Jane Wilson, from the Glebe Community Centre and Garth Hampson, retired RCMP officer widely revered for his musical talent were also presented with Honourary Whitton Awards.
This wonderful community event is made possible with the help of corporate sponsorship.
Greg Best of Bank Street Framing framed all Whitton Award certificates free of charge. Zippy Print in Old Ottawa South provided printing of invitations and programs. Rogers Community 22 taped and televised the ceremony. Malak Karsh, incredibly talented photographer and Capital Ward resident, allowed his wonderful Aberdeen Pavilion photo to be used for the invitations. Select Roses in the Glebe provided corsages and boutonnières for winners.
The reception was a big hit, with refreshments donated by Ogden Entertainment, beverages provided by Molson and Labatt Breweries, Loblaws, Pelee Island Winery, the Embassy of Lebanon and the High Commission, Kingdom of Lesotho, both located in the Glebe.
Musical entertainment provided by the Hopewell Avenue School Stage Band and help from the 52nd Girl Guides, Lansdowne District, and Acacia Fraternity, Carleton University, made the evening one that will not soon be forgotten.