Award Category: Community Award

George Puil is one of the most active and passionate citizens of Vancouver. He has had a profound influence on the City, the region, province and the country. A total of forty years of public service, first as a parks board commissioner and for 26 years as an elected Councillor, George was the founding chair of the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority and also served as the Chair of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. His grasp of issues, his ability to identify practical solutions and his tenacity in pursuing the course of action that best fitted his sense of the public interest, have created critical legacies for future generations.

Eleven years ago, Daryle Roberts joined what is now the Living Positive Resource Centre Okanagan as its Executive Director. Under his leadership, the centre increased its effective delivery of services to those in the community living with or affected by HIV, AIDS, or Hepatitis C. Daryle initiated an AIDS walk which has grown ten-fold since 1997, raising significant funds and more importantly raising awareness. As well, Daryle has been participant in the community’s development of a Four Pillars program and a ten year plan to end homelessness. Daryle is honoured today for his contributions to improving the social fabric of the Central Okanagan.

For the past 40 years, Ben Roy has quietly and effectively created positive change within the Cache Creek and Thompson Nicola Regional District. He has served as mayor, volunteer fire chief, chamber of commerce member and was instrumental in establishing a local radio station. While Mayor, Ben championed the landfill project as a way to provide jobs for the residents of Cache Creek. Ben Roy has also played a pivotal role in the revitalization of the Gold Country Communities Foundation, an organization founded to serve the economic needs of a number of adjoining rural communities. Ben Roy is a dedicated community achiever.

Leo Sabulsky is the Aboriginal Liaison head teacher for Chetwynd School District 59. He is honoured today for his work in creating unique opportunities for students in his area. He launched a community radio station, Peace FM, as a training facility for the students and an important community connector. Leo spearheaded the campaign to purchase a local thrift shop to be operated by students, thus providing much needed work experience. A volunteer firefighter for 30 years, Sabulsky has been fire chief and emergency coordinator since 1998. Leo is a positive influence in his community and his efforts make life better for all who live there.

Ron Silver embodies the true spirit of community achievement by his service to the people of Quesnel. He has served on the chamber of commerce, the economic development committee, the downtown association and the board of the seniors’ home. He has served his district as Chair and director of CNIB for the Cariboo Chapter and as northern director for the BC Long Term Care Association. His greatest achievement is his leadership of the successful campaign to raise funds for a CT Scanner for G.R. Barker Memorial Hospital. He kept the project’s momentum going and inspired workers and donors alike to support this worthy undertaking. An active Lions club member and meals on wheels driver, Ron Silver continues to make a positive difference in his community.

For more than two decades, Naomi Singer has contributed her knowledge, skills and enthusiasm towards the enrichment and cultivation of community-based celebrations and public events. The most significant of these is the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival which is now in its fourteenth year and which attracts 12,000 community participants in five different Vancouver neighbourhoods. The creative talents of hundreds of multi cultural performers, artists and musicians, are all coordinated by Naomi. Her gifts and abilities reach people from all walks of life in spaces between buildings, streets and in other urban environments.

Rob Sleath is a passionate advocate for those living with vision loss and particularly to providing them with the same rights and access to information as the sighted. Rob has worked at the local, provincial and national levels of CNIB and has truly made a difference, especially in transportation and consumer services. For example, Skytrain improvements for sight-impaired users and free access to directory assistance are some of Rob’s initiatives. As his nominator writes, ‘Rob has a clear vision of building a world where the more than 17,000 British Columbians living with vision loss can achieve full independence’.

In all her endeavours, Madhu Varshney has demonstrated exceptional commitment. She has worked tirelessly to promote health and education and support the most vulnerable members of our community. An experienced councilor and teacher, Madhu has also served as President of Vancouver’s largest Hindu temple and cultural centre. She is a passionate supporter of St. Paul’s and BC Children’s hospitals. Madhu is deeply committed to mentoring women and youth and helping them achieve their full potential as productive and successful members of the community. She is an inspiration to all she leads and an excellent role model.

When people talk about Garry Wall they quickly refer to him as “the apprenticeship guy”. Fifteen years ago, Garry single-handedly developed an apprenticeship program linking students with employers, thus providing hands-on training and the possibility of ongoing employment following secondary school. Today the program boasts over 1500 successes, a grateful business community and is recognized as a model and most successful program in the province. What distinguishes Garry is his compassion for his students and his strong belief that every student can succeed if provided with something to be passionate about. Through Garry Wall’s belief in trades training, many young lives have flourished and been enriched.

Vanessa West is a role model and leader in the Lheidli T’enneh (lead-lee tennay) Band and in the wider Prince George area. As an elected member of the Band Council, Vanessa is committed to the betterment of the community as a whole. Vanessa held the position of the Lheidli T’enneh Treaty Administrator through the Band’s complex treaty process. Vanessa initiated the Youth Treaty Council to include youth in a responsible and recognized part of the process. Vanessa has been active in the Northern Family Services, Prince George Native Friendship Centre, the Highway of Tears Symposium, Take Back the NIght and the Mission Indian Friendship Centre. Vanessa dedicates herself to the betterment of her community and does so with diligence and compassion.