This release was issued under a previous government.

The medals were presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta in a ceremony that celebrated the outstanding service of Capital region leaders. His Honour Col. (Ret’d) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell and Her Honour Linda Ethell hosted the ceremony at Government House in Edmonton.

“The Diamond Jubilee Medal recognizes dedicated citizens who have made real and lasting contributions to the quality of life we enjoy as Albertans and Canadians,” said Lieutenant Governor Ethell. “Their fields of endeavour may vary from military and police services...to business, politics and the law...to science, education, the arts and community service, however they all share a common commitment to service and a desire to give back to the nation we are privileged to call home.”

The Right Honourable Donald Mazankowski, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, was the first to receive a medal at the ceremony. Other honourees included Deputy Commissioner Dale McGowan of “K” Division RCMP, Chief Rod Knecht of the Edmonton Police Service and former Senator Tommy Banks. Recipients also included Members and Officers of Order of Canada and a number of Honourary Lieutenant Colonels from Edmonton military units.

The Diamond Jubilee Medal, which is a national honour, was created to celebrate Her Majesty’s 60 years of service to Canada and to mark the enduring place The Queen holds in the fabric of Canadian life. Medals will be presented at ceremonies across the province throughout 2012-13, hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and other dignitaries, public bodies and organizations taking part in the program. The Lieutenant Governor expects to host additional ceremonies in Edmonton and area as the Diamond Jubilee year unfolds.

Other upcoming events to mark the year will include a Diamond Jubilee garden party at Legislature Grounds the afternoon of Saturday, June 2. The party will be open to the public. Watch alberta.ca/diamondjubilee.cfm for further information. Albertans are also invited to visit the website to send an online message of congratulations to Her Majesty.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Janet Resta
Communications Officer, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
780-427-9222

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Backgrounder

Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal -March 30, Edmonton, Alberta

The following individuals were presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Lieutenant Governor Donald S. Ethell at Government House in Edmonton on March 30, 2012.

The Right Honourable Donald Mazankowski (Sherwood Park)

Don Mazankowski earned the respect of fellow Parliamentarians, his constituents and world leaders during his long tenure as a member of the House of Commons, which included service as a Minister of the Crown and Deputy Prime Minister. He has also been an ardent supporter of the education, health and well-being of Albertans and all Canadians. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Deputy Commissioner Dale McGowan (Edmonton)

Deputy Commissioner Dale McGowan is Commanding Officer of “K” Division RCMP. During his long and distinguished career with the RCMP he has served throughout Western Canada and has also remained an active community volunteer. His many honours include membership in the Order of Merit of Police Forces.

Chief Rod Knecht (Edmonton)

Rod Knecht is Chief of the Edmonton Police Service. Before joining the EPS he enjoyed a long and distinguished career with the RCMP which took him across Canada and culminated with duties in Ottawa as the nation’s most senior ranking uniformed officer. His many decorations include membership in the Order of Merit of Police Forces.

The Honourable Tommy Banks (Edmonton)

The Honourable Tommy Banks is a distinguished former member of the Senate of Canada and a Canadian music and broadcasting legend. His many contributions include service as a tireless advocate of artists at the local, provincial and national level and as an effective supporter of arts and culture Canada-wide. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Inspector Glenn de Goeij (Edmonton)

Glenn de Geoij has served the Crown through his 31 year career with the RCMP and has also been a very active volunteer in the communities in which he has served.  He has been a volunteer Aide-de-Camp to two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.

Louis Desrochers (Edmonton)

Louis Desrochers has made valuable contributions to the vitality of Alberta’s francophone community, to the quality of life enjoyed by Albertans and to the sense of connection and national unity experienced by Canadians. He holds numerous honourary degrees and is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Fil Fraser (Edmonton)

Fil Fraser is an Alberta and Canadian pioneer in the areas of broadcasting, film, television production, newspaper publishing and multiculturalism. He has written extensively on human rights and multiculturalism issues and served as Chairman of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. He also has been instrumental in developing the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards. Fil is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff (Edmonton)

Leonard Ratzlaff is one of Canada's foremost conductors and music educators. Through his work at the University of Alberta, and with various choral groups and organizations, he has mentored countless music students and helped to create Alberta’s reputation as a national and international leader in choral music.  He is a Member of the Order of Canada and Alberta Order of Excellence.

Constable Lesley Ripley (St. Albert)

Lesley Ripley is a long serving RCMP member and a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. She has been a volunteer Aide-de-Camp for 12 years, serving three Lieutenant Governors of Alberta, and is also an active supporter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Major Brian Roach (St. Albert)

Brian Roach has offered distinguished service to Crown through his work with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, as a strategist for Land Force Western Area and through tours of duty in Afghanistan and the Balkans. He has been a volunteer Aide-de-Camp to four Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.

Hon. Lt-Colonel Sol Rolingher (Edmonton)

Sol Rolingher is a highly respected legal community leader who has offered extensive service to St. John Ambulance, the River Valley Alliance, the University of Alberta and many other education, health care, arts and community service organizations. He is Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel of 1 Military Police Unit in Edmonton.

Dr. Nathaniel Rutter (Stony Plain)

Nathaniel Rutter is a leading authority who has mentored countless Canadian geologists and made important contributions to the field through his work at the University of Alberta He led efforts that resulted in major discoveries in dating methods, glaciation and climate change and has worked to promote the importance of geoscience in addressing world ecology issues.  He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Lieutenant Colonel Roger Scott (Edmonton)

Roger Scott has offered extensive service to the Crown and the health care community. He is Commanding Officer of 15 (Edm) Field Ambulance and recipient of numerous military and civilian honours. He has been a volunteer Aide-de-Camp to three Lieutenant Governors.

Muriel Stanley Venne (Edmonton)

Muriel Stanley Venne is a passionate champion of human rights and social justice who has worked tirelessly to fight discrimination and promote equality. Her many contributions include service as a founding member of the Alberta Human Rights Commission and as founding president of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Hon. Lt-Colonel John Stanton (Edmonton)

John Stanton is an inspirational role model who has challenged, motivated and empowered Canadians to adopt an active lifestyle. In addition to his work as the iconic founder of the Running Room, John has supported and promoted hundreds of charitable organizations, including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and Honourary Lt. Colonel of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment.

Dr. Robert Steadward (Edmonton)

Bob Steadward is a pioneering leader in disability sport and founding president of the International Paralympic Committee. He has been an effective advocate and leader of our national teams and a respected professor at the U of A. He has also served as a strong volunteer with a wide range of organizations. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Hon. Lt-Colonel Angus Watt (Edmonton)

Angus Watt is a key Edmonton business figure and an active community advocate who has offered outstanding support to organizations such as the Edmonton Police Foundation, the University of Alberta and the Canadian Cancer Society. He is Chair of the Alberta Order of Excellence Council, Honourary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Honourary Lieutenant Colonel of the South Alberta Light Horse Regiment.

Dr. Robert Westbury (Edmonton)

Bob Westbury has been a tireless and effective volunteer in Alberta for over 50 years, as well as a respected leader in the business community. He has shared his considerable acumen with a wide range of organization in areas from heath and education to social programs and the arts. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and Chair Emeritus of the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Henry Woo (Edmonton)

Henry Woo served his fellow Albertans during two terms as a Member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly. He has also made valuable contributions through his work to promote the welfare of ethnic groups in Alberta and through his efforts to enhance cultural and economic ties between the Pacific Rim countries and Canada. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Janet Resta
Communications Officer, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
780-427-9222

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.