This release was issued under a previous government.
His Honour Col. (Ret’d) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell and Her Honour Linda Ethell welcomed 19 recipients and family and friends to McDougall Centre for the ceremony. The Diamond Jubilee Medal, which is a national honour, recognizes citizens of all ages and walks of life who have made significant contributions to their communities.
“Queen Elizabeth II has devoted her life to service, and it is that spirit of serving the greater good that lies at the heart of what these medals represent,” said Lieutenant Governor Ethell. “The exemplary Albertans chosen to receive a Diamond Jubilee Medal understand the importance of giving back, and their dedication is what makes Calgary and Alberta a great place to be. These medals are a way to thank the leaders among us and to celebrate the central role our Queen has long played in the fabric of Canadian life.”
The Honourable Norman L. Kwong, former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta was the first to receive a medal at the ceremony, followed by distinguished veterans and community leaders, including numerous members of the Order of Canada. A list of recipients is attached.
Diamond Jubilee 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 Calgary and area as the Diamond Jubilee year unfolds.
Other upcoming events to mark the year will include a Diamond Jubilee garden party at McDougall Centre in Calgary on Saturday, July 21. The party will be open to the public. Further details will be posted at Alberta.ca/diamondjubilee.cfm at a later date. Albertans are also invited to visit the website to send messages of congratulations to Her Majesty.
Attachment: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipients -March 19, Calgary Alberta
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 19, Calgary, Alberta
The following individuals were presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Lieutenant Governor Donald S. Ethell at McDougall Centre, Calgary on March 19, 2012.
The Honourable Norman L. Kwong (Calgary)
The Honourable Norman L. Kwong was the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. He established himself as a Canadian sports legend during a CFL career that included dozens of league records earned with the Calgary Stampeders and the Edmonton Eskimos. He is among only a few Canadians to have won both the Grey Cup and the Stanley Cup as a player, manager or owner. His long list of prestigious honours includes membership in the Order of Canada.
Jenny Belzberg (Calgary)
Jenny Belzberg has served Alberta and Canada as a tireless advocate in areas such as the arts, education and social action. She is an outstanding volunteer, a true philanthropist and an effective community leader. Jenny is a member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Dr. Robert Church (Calgary)
Dr. Robert Church has enjoyed a distinguished career as an entrepreneur, a university educator and an agriculture and biotechnology innovator in the areas of genetics, reproductive physiology and molecular biology. He is a member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.
John Cresswell (Calgary)
John Cresswell is a retired Sgt-Major of the Canadian Army and instructor with the Canadian Correctional Service. He has been a consummate volunteer on behalf of veterans and a key contributor to many veteran and community organizations including the Carewest Colonel Belcher Veterans Care Centre in Calgary.
LCol (Ret’d) Tom Doucette (Calgary)
Tom Doucette is Executive Director of the Military Museums in Calgary. His work to serve veterans and preserve Canada’s military heritage comes following a long career in the Canadian Army that included service in Afghanistan as Commander of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.
David Graham (Calgary)
Dave Graham is a Calgary construction industry leader who helped build city landmarks such as Garrison Woods and Garrison Green. In addition to the tireless support Dave offers the military and veterans he has served programs such as Renfrew Educational Services and provided leadership to winter sport through Bobsleigh and Luge Canada and the Alberta Skeleton Association.
Staff Sergeant Glen Haner (Calgary)
Glen Haner has spent 36 years serving Alberta communities as a distinguished member of the RCMP and as a very active volunteer. He has also been an advocate for the health and well-being of his fellow members and has served as a volunteer Aide-de-Camp to two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.
The Honourable Mary Hetherington (Calgary)
The Honourable Mary Hetherington is a pioneering member of the legal community who was the first woman appointed to both the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Northwest Territories Court of Appeal. She has been actively involved in legal education in Canada and has been a passionate advocate for abused and disadvantaged women and seniors. She is a member of the Order of Canada.
Clay Hodder (Calgary)
Clay Hodder is a veteran of the Canadian Army who has offered extensive service with NATO in Germany, the Middle East and Canada. He has faithfully served the Crown and his fellow veterans as a member of numerous organizations including the Queen’s Own Rifles Association.
Louise Hodder (Calgary)
Louise Hodder has offered longstanding and extensive support to the military family as the wife of a distinguished veteran and hard working organizer and contributor to programs that support the troops, including the work of the Queen’s Own Rifles Association.
Hugh Krentz (Calgary)
Hugh Krentz has played a key role in developing construction standards that have led to safer infrastructure for all Canadians. His contributions include leadership to the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, the Standards Council of Canada, and the Steel Structures Education Foundation. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Ronald Mannix (Calgary)
Ron Mannix has shared his leadership abilities with an extensive list of not-for-profit organizations. He is founder of the Cantos Music Foundation, a generous supporter of post-secondary education, and a passionate advocate for the health and well-being of his fellow Albertans. Ron is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Honourary Colonel John Melbourne (Calgary)
Mr. Melbourne is a retired Canadian Air Force Officer who continues to serve his province and country as a tireless volunteer with numerous veterans associations and with community institutions such as the Calgary Stampede. He is Honorary Colonel of 410 Squadron, 4 Wing Cold Lake.
Irene Pfeiffer (Okotoks)
Irene Pfeiffer has maintained a lifelong commitment to helping others and sharing her knowledge as a highly valued community volunteer. She has helped to steer numerous health care, education and social service organizations toward greater success. Irene is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Clayton Riddell (Calgary)
Clayton Riddell is a renowned exploration geologist and a leader in the Canadian petroleum industry. He is also a committed volunteer and generous philanthropist who has made a particular impact on the development of geology education in Canada. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Margaret Southern (Calgary)
Margaret Southern is a passionate leader in the world of Canadian sport. She developed Spruce Meadows into one of the world's top venues for equestrian sport and has helped organize many international and national sports competitions. Margaret is also a generous benefactor of many health care, social and academic institutions and is a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Ronald Southern (Calgary)
Ron Southern is a Canadian business icon who guided the ATCO Group to its current status as an international leader. With his wife, Margaret, he founded Spruce Meadows and has also been a quiet but highly effective philanthropist whose contributions have made an indelible impact on the quality of life enjoyed by his fellow Albertans. He is a Champion of the Order of Canada and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Jeffrey Spalding (Calgary)
Jeffrey Spalding is a renowned painter, arts advocate and champion of Canadian artists. In his extensive work as an art gallery director and curator he has enjoyed great success in bringing new audiences of all ages and walks of life to the world of art. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Lieutenant (Navy) Craig Stange (Calgary)
Craig Stange has served the Crown through 20 years as a Royal Canadian Navy Reservist and 15 years working for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He is a dedicated community volunteer in Calgary and has served as a volunteer Aide-de-Camp to three Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.
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.