Award Category: Community Award

photo: Hon. John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes presented a 2015 BC Community Achievement Award to Vanderhoof resident, Richard Wruth. Richard Wurth is honoured for his overwhelming commitment to the youth and children of Vanderhoof. As we all know, Richard is responsible for founding, building and growing Vanderhoof Children’s Theatre. In 22 years, Richard has worked with over 1,000 children from grades 2-12 directing over 30 productions. No one is ever turned away. He is involved with every aspect of the theatre including overseeing approximately 100 volunteers per production, fundraising, ticket sales, rehearsals, costume creation and props; Each production takes a minimum of 400 hours of Richard’s volunteer time. Richard continues to expand the theatre including leading a group of 28 students to Disneyland for theatre workshops. Richard is a community achiever for which all British Columbia is proud.

Selen Alpay is known in his community for his huge heart. He is a leader, a philanthropist, he champions youth and sport and he advocates for healthcare. Selen has a ‘can-do attitude’ all the time. He has served on the boards of Northern Healthcare Foundation, Elizabeth Fry Society and the Baldy Hughes Therapeutic Community, and he is a major supporter of Cops for Cancer Tour de North.  As a Canadian Tire store owner, Selen not only ignites his staff to participate in community causes but also donates to countless events and groups. As important…is the personal time Selen donates to others. Selen’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Northerners.

Cathy Ashurst has had a tremendous impact on the Village of Burns Lake, the Burns Lake Band and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako. For 25 years, Cathy was regional manager then Director of the Lakes District Campus of the College of New Caledonia. As a direct result of her skillful leadership and foresight, the college increased its enrollment one thousand percent, expanded its courses to meet the community’s needs and became a significant driver of the local economy. Another of her major achievements is her groundbreaking work on the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Her success lies in a remarkable alchemy of qualities; hard work, a passion for education, and a belief in the community working together to achieve great things.

Amrik Aulakh is a great role model in the City of Surrey for the thousands of volunteer hours he has contributed to the field of crime prevention. He joined the Surrey Crime Prevention Society in 1998 and has maintained an active role since then with Citizens’ Crime Watch Patrol, Counter Attack, Traffic Safety and Speed Watch programs. Amrik is an appointed volunteer Auxiliary Constable for the Province of BC, serving with the Surrey RCMP, where he assists regular police officers with crime reduction strategies. He is an enthusiastic uniformed presence at community events where he brings safety awareness to children, adults and seniors. Amrik is dedicated to the safety of his community.

Don has had a long and distinguished career with the RCMP in Quesnel, Vanderhoof, Nanaimo, Richmond, Burnaby and Sooke.  He has been a lifelong community leader wherever he has served. In sports and recreation, from youth to seniors, he has volunteered as a coach or referee…for soccer, curling, baseball, and track and field. For 45 years, he has been associated with the sport of lacrosse. On the civic side, Don has been a school trustee and a parks and recreation commissioner. He continues his service to the community as the Manager of the Capital Regional District Bylaws and Animal Care Services. Don is recognized today for his community service across the Province and over his lifetime.

Helen Clifton is the Matriarch of the Blackfish Clan, Gitga’at Nation. She is a teacher, a communicator, a protector of the environment, an adviser, a map maker, social worker, midwife, preserver of language and a bridge between communities. She is revered for her teachings of traditional and sustainable practices of food gathering and preservation. She believes that these must continue to be a living activity. Importantly, Helen has shared her knowledge with academics and students from across BC and Canada. Helen is an extraordinary elder and leader, a keystone in the arch of her community, who injects positive energy into all community projects, keeps on eye on everyone’s welfare and ensures that traditions are alive and passed along.

Lynnette Cobb is a true community treasure. Her positive spirit, kindness, sunny disposition and selflessness help make her community a better place to live. Lynnette has volunteered countless hours with the Crisis and Counselling program for the Canadian Mental Health Association as a support counselor, crisis line support worker and volunteer supervisor. She takes on the most challenging situations and she does so with compassion. Lynnette has worked as a volunteer Court Supporter for RCMP Victim Services, helping victims and witnesses involved in the criminal justice system. Lynnette also helped to establish Baker Manor, a supportive housing facility in her area. We applaud Lynnette today for giving over 50,000 volunteer hours to her community.

We honour John D’Eathe for his continuous community leadership over the past 45 years. John’s expertise in business, urban land economics and real estate has made a difference to many lower mainland organizations. From the United Nations Habitat Conference in 1976  through to the 2012 Mayor’s Task Force for Affordable Housing, the Foundations of the Justice Institute of BC and The Arts Club Theater, and the Chesterfield House Society, John’s influence has been pivotal. He also served as a mentor, instructor and supporter for UBC’s Sauder School of Business and is currently a member of its Urban Land Economics Advisory Board. John is passionate for his community and for his Province.

These are just a few words that describe Allan De Genova: visionary<, tenacious, creative, and responsive. We honour Allan today for all of these qualities. A five-term Vancouver Park Board Commissioner, Allan made a difference. Saving Nat Bailey Stadium, advocating for affordable housing, restoring Victory Square, and rebuilding Sunset Community Centre are just a few of his initiatives for the City of Vancouver. His proudest achievement, however, is the dream he fulfilled to open Honour House, a temporary home away from home for Canadian Forces personnel, veterans, First responders and their families who are receiving medical care and treatment in the metro Vancouver area. Allan has shown remarkable leadership and his legacies will be felt for generations to come.