Award Year: 2015

With a professional background in psychiatric nursing and a as respected leader in BC’s Muslim community, Farida has a deep commitment to strengthening her community in unique and groundbreaking ways. Farida is a strong voice for the prevention of domestic violence, child abuse, bullying and immigrant and refugee issues. A liaison with BC’s Ministry of Children and Family Development and on the board of the Multifaith Action Society building bridges within and between faith communities. Farida is to be commended, as well, for her fundraising efforts for Vancouver General Hospital’s Mental Health Centre.

Dr. Jim Kirkpatrick is a pioneer in advocating for people with eating disorders and a leader in developing treatment resources. It was his single mindedness that in 1990 saw the establishment of the BC Eating Disorders Association, bringing together recovered individuals, families and advocates to take, head on, the challenges of the diseases. He has taught countless doctors, medical students and other healthcare professionals locally and provincially. His wisdom, experience and vast academic expertise has made a difference in our Province and allowed patients to access world class care.

Bob Uden’s community contribution is truly inspiring. We all must admire Bob’s tremendous commitment. For over 30 years, Bob has conducted, FREE OF CHARGE exercise sessions. It began for those recovering from major heart problems and has expanded to include seniors who want to maintain their functional capacity. Classes are held three times a week at 8:00 am at the Bowen Park Auditorium in Nanaimo. Bob has donated over 5,000 hours of his time and expertise as a retired physiotherapist to work with his community’s cardiac patients and others. Bob Uden is clearly a man with heart – in every sense of the word!

For over 40 years, Sue Bauman has gone above and beyond serving others as a professional and community volunteer in the non-profit sector. For example, Sue served North Shore Family Services with distinction for 25 years. There she championed many critical community initiatives in support of children, women and families. Sue also served on the Vancouver Police Board and is currently on the boards of the Wolverton Family Foundation and Generation I Foundation supporting children. Sue’s strong leadership, work ethic and integrity have been of great benefit to our Province.

Hidden as a child in the Netherlands during the Holocaust, acclaimed child and family psychiatrist and UBC professor emeritus, Dr. Krell deeply understands the necessity of Holocaust remembrance: learning from its lessons, providing education, supporting survivors and ensuring their stories are not lost. Dr. Krell founded the Holocaust Education Centre in Vancouver in 1994; tens of thousands of students have visited the centre to learn about the terrible consequences of racial prejudice and the ways to combat it. Dr. Krell also founded a group for child survivors, giving voice to their experience.

Whether it is health and wellness programs to benefit families with Aboriginal children, youth, seniors or the community at large or fostering cultural sharing and understanding at the North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which she helped to establish, Cindy Wilgosh embodies the spirit of today’s community achievement awards. While Cindy has a part time job as the Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator in Clearwater for Success by Six, a provincial wide program dedicated to creating child and family friendly communities, she gives another 100% of her time volunteering for the overall care and well-being of her community. Nothing stops Cindy from accomplishing everything she sets out to do.

For Port Alice, Wayne Beckett is willing to do anything necessary to make his community a better place. Of particular note is his dedication to the volunteer Fire Department. For over forty years, Wayne has been on duty 24-7, 365 days a year. As well, Wayne served the Port Alice Marine Search and Rescue Society for 18 years and has been a devoted member of the Royal Canadian Legion Port Alice Branch. Whether it is a parade, Remembrance Day activities, Scouts, special events, Community Christmas parties, Wayne is always there. Every community needs a Wayne Beckett.