This release was issued under a previous government.

“This honour is presented to citizens who share Her Majesty the Queen’s lifelong commitment to service,” said Lieutenant Governor Ethell. “These caring and insightful Albertans have dedicated themselves to building a stronger quality of life for their fellow citizens and they have truly earned this special day of celebration.”

Medal recipients included Members and Officers of the Order of Canada who are leaders in areas such as medicine, engineering, education, community service and the arts. A number of Alberta Sheriffs were also recognized along with Members of the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada. A list of recipients is attached.

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. The medals are being presented at ceremonies across the province, hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and other dignitaries, public bodies and organizations taking part in the program. Information about the Diamond Jubilee is at www.gg.ca/diamondjubilee.

Attachment: Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal - September 20, 2012, Edmonton, Alberta

Media inquiries, contact:
Janet Resta
Communications Officer, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
780-427-9222

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

September 20, 2012
Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal -September 20, 2012, Edmonton, Alberta

Arthur Adamson (Edmonton)
Art Adamson is a retired veteran of the Edmonton Police Service who also served with the United Nations in Kosovo. His community volunteer work includes founding and teaching at a non-profit martial arts club and supporting the Royal Canadian Legion. He is president of the Edmonton Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping.

Dr. Steven Aung (Edmonton)
Steven Aung is a respected teacher, researcher and doctor who is a pioneer in integrating western, traditional Chinese, and complementary medicine. He has helped to make Alberta an active centre for integrated and complimentary medicine and he has offered hope and healing to countless patients. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Sheriff Joanne Bugnet (Morinville)
Joanne Bugnet’s 18-year career with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General includes 12 years of service at the Edmonton Courthouse followed by duties at the Government Center in Edmonton. She has also provided distinguished service to two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.

Dr. Anne Fanning (Edmonton)
Anne Fanning is a leader in efforts to eliminate tuberculosis in Canada and around the world. She has shared her great skill and dedication to duty at Edmonton hospitals, as a professor at the University of Alberta and through her extensive work with the World Health Organization to protect populations at risk around the world. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Gerald Gall (awarded posthumously - medal accepted by Karen Gall)
Gerald Gall was highly regarded for his work to defend and promote freedom and justice. He was a founding member of John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and provided leadership to countless professional, social action and religious organizations as well as to governments. He was an Officer of the Order of Canada. He died on March 18, 2012.

Dr. Philip Halloran (Edmonton)
Philip Halloran is a leading researcher and University of Alberta professor who has helped to set new standards for care in transplant medicine. He is an inspirational mentor for researchers and physicians in the field and has also offered distinguished service as director of the Alberta Transplant Institute. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Maggie Hodgson (Edmonton)
A member of the Carrier First Nation, Maggie Hodgson is a leader in Aboriginal health, justice, and reconciliation. Her deep commitment to addiction awareness has guided people to wellness and her service as CEO of the Nechi Training, Research & Health Promotions Institute helped launch an important international healing movement. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Beatrice Hunter (Edmonton)
Beatrice Hunter is a veteran of the Second World War who has been an active member of the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada for more than 50 years. Her service to the organization has included duties as national president and as a provincial representative during two pilgrimages to Europe.

Bertha Jackson (Edmonton - unable to attend, medal accepted by Madeleine MacPherson)
Bertha Jackson’s contributions to her fellow Canadians includes service during the Second World War and more than 50 years of work as an active member of the Nursing Sisters of Canada that has included duties as Edmonton Unit president.

Krishan Joshee (Edmonton)
Krishan Joshee is a recognized model of engaged citizenship. He is a founding member of the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace and the Edmonton Heritage Festival and former Chair of the Wild Rose Foundation. He also served the Alberta Gaming Commission and the Canadian Commission on Race Relations. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Sheriff Diane Koenig (Stony Plain)
Diane Koenig served as a member of the Edmonton Police Service before taking on security duties at Government Centre in Edmonton. During her service with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General she has provided support to four Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.

Dr. Zaheer Lakhani (Edmonton)
Zaheer Lakhani is a distinguished cardiologist who is deeply committed to multiculturalism. His service includes helping new Canadians, promoting strong communities during terms with the Edmonton Police Commission and Canadian Association of Police Boards and serving as a director of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Sheriff Gerald Lemieux (Leduc)
Gerald Lemieux’s 21 years of service to the Crown includes 10 years as an Alberta Sheriff, eight years of military service as a reserves and regular force member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and duties with the Ontario Provincial Police.

Madeleine MacPherson (Edmonton)
Madeline MacPherson has served as a reserve member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and as an active 30-year member of the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada. Her work has included duties with the local and national executive and as the local unit liaison with 1 Field Ambulance and the Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta.

Marion McEwan (Rocky Mountain House - unable to attend, medal accepted by M. MacPherson)
Marion McEwan is a veteran of the Second World War and an active member of the Edmonton Unit of the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada. Throughout her decades-long dedication to the Unit she has regularly commuted from her home in Rocky Mountain House to attend unit functions.

Dr. Norbert Morgenstern (Edmonton)
Norbert Morgenstern is an international authority on geotechnical engineering and an inspiring mentor to a generation of Canadian engineers. He is past president and vice-president of many national engineering institutes and societies and Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

John Stafford O’Neill (St. Albert)
John O’Neill is an advocate of universal human rights, who has offered decades of distinguished service to others. He has worked to further progress in the areas of national unity, culture and heritage preservation and is a past Chief Commissioner of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Karen Percy-Lowe (Edmonton)
In 1988, Karen Percy became Canada’s second double medal winner in alpine skiing and she earned many top-14 placings in her years on the World Cup circuit. As a volunteer she has worked to support Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, the Oilers Community Foundation, Compassion House and the Waterkeeper Alliance. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Claudette Roy (Edmonton)
Claudette Roy is a longstanding leader in the Franco-Albertan community who initiated important projects and institutions, including Alberta's first publicly-funded French school. She played a key role in developing the governance model for French schools in Alberta and is an active volunteer with many community organizations. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Major Reimer M. Smith (Edmonton)
Reimer Smith has offered guidance and support to countless individuals through his service as former Senior Provincial Chaplain in the Alberta Solicitor General Department of Corrections and as an officer with the Salvation Army. He is highly respected for the lifetime of care and compassion he has offered to those in crisis. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Dr. Brian Sproule (Edmonton)
Brian Sproule is credited with establishing Pulmonary Medicine as an important specialty in Canada. A Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta, he has made valued contributions to research, to patient care and to organizations such as the Alberta Asthma Centre. He is also a champion of social responsibility and world peace. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Sergeant Steve Steward (Sherwood Park)
Steve Steward is a 32-year veteran of Alberta Justice and Solicitor General who has served in numerous areas including corrections and court services. He is currently serving at Government Centre where he has provided support to two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.

Sheriff Tim Turner (Edmonton)
Tim Turner has offered 30 years of distinguished service to the Crown as a member of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and has completed tours and missions in Afghanistan Cyprus, Croatia, the Middle East and West Africa. As an Alberta Sheriff he served two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta he now serves the Hon. Allison Redford.

Rudy Wiebe (Edmonton)
The acclaimed works of celebrated author Rudy Wiebe offer a fascinating exploration of the lives of people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta and was Founding President of the Writers Guild of Alberta. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award.

For more information, contact:
Janet Resta
Communications Officer, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
780-427-9222

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Backgrounder

September 20, 2012
Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal -September 20, 2012, Edmonton, Alberta

Arthur Adamson (Edmonton)
Art Adamson is a retired veteran of the Edmonton Police Service who also served with the United Nations in Kosovo. His community volunteer work includes founding and teaching at a non-profit martial arts club and supporting the Royal Canadian Legion. He is president of the Edmonton Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping.

Dr. Steven Aung (Edmonton)
Steven Aung is a respected teacher, researcher and doctor who is a pioneer in integrating western, traditional Chinese, and complementary medicine. He has helped to make Alberta an active centre for integrated and complimentary medicine and he has offered hope and healing to countless patients. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Sheriff Joanne Bugnet (Morinville)
Joanne Bugnet’s 18-year career with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General includes 12 years of service at the Edmonton Courthouse followed by duties at the Government Center in Edmonton. She has also provided distinguished service to two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.

Dr. Anne Fanning (Edmonton)
Anne Fanning is a leader in efforts to eliminate tuberculosis in Canada and around the world. She has shared her great skill and dedication to duty at Edmonton hospitals, as a professor at the University of Alberta and through her extensive work with the World Health Organization to protect populations at risk around the world. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Gerald Gall (awarded posthumously - medal accepted by Karen Gall)
Gerald Gall was highly regarded for his work to defend and promote freedom and justice. He was a founding member of John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and provided leadership to countless professional, social action and religious organizations as well as to governments. He was an Officer of the Order of Canada. He died on March 18, 2012.

Dr. Philip Halloran (Edmonton)
Philip Halloran is a leading researcher and University of Alberta professor who has helped to set new standards for care in transplant medicine. He is an inspirational mentor for researchers and physicians in the field and has also offered distinguished service as director of the Alberta Transplant Institute. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Maggie Hodgson (Edmonton)
A member of the Carrier First Nation, Maggie Hodgson is a leader in Aboriginal health, justice, and reconciliation. Her deep commitment to addiction awareness has guided people to wellness and her service as CEO of the Nechi Training, Research & Health Promotions Institute helped launch an important international healing movement. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Beatrice Hunter (Edmonton)
Beatrice Hunter is a veteran of the Second World War who has been an active member of the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada for more than 50 years. Her service to the organization has included duties as national president and as a provincial representative during two pilgrimages to Europe.

Bertha Jackson (Edmonton - unable to attend, medal accepted by Madeleine MacPherson)
Bertha Jackson’s contributions to her fellow Canadians includes service during the Second World War and more than 50 years of work as an active member of the Nursing Sisters of Canada that has included duties as Edmonton Unit president.

Krishan Joshee (Edmonton)
Krishan Joshee is a recognized model of engaged citizenship. He is a founding member of the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace and the Edmonton Heritage Festival and former Chair of the Wild Rose Foundation. He also served the Alberta Gaming Commission and the Canadian Commission on Race Relations. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Sheriff Diane Koenig (Stony Plain)
Diane Koenig served as a member of the Edmonton Police Service before taking on security duties at Government Centre in Edmonton. During her service with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General she has provided support to four Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.

Dr. Zaheer Lakhani (Edmonton)
Zaheer Lakhani is a distinguished cardiologist who is deeply committed to multiculturalism. His service includes helping new Canadians, promoting strong communities during terms with the Edmonton Police Commission and Canadian Association of Police Boards and serving as a director of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Sheriff Gerald Lemieux (Leduc)
Gerald Lemieux’s 21 years of service to the Crown includes 10 years as an Alberta Sheriff, eight years of military service as a reserves and regular force member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and duties with the Ontario Provincial Police.

Madeleine MacPherson (Edmonton)
Madeline MacPherson has served as a reserve member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and as an active 30-year member of the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada. Her work has included duties with the local and national executive and as the local unit liaison with 1 Field Ambulance and the Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta.

Marion McEwan (Rocky Mountain House - unable to attend, medal accepted by M. MacPherson)
Marion McEwan is a veteran of the Second World War and an active member of the Edmonton Unit of the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada. Throughout her decades-long dedication to the Unit she has regularly commuted from her home in Rocky Mountain House to attend unit functions.

Dr. Norbert Morgenstern (Edmonton)
Norbert Morgenstern is an international authority on geotechnical engineering and an inspiring mentor to a generation of Canadian engineers. He is past president and vice-president of many national engineering institutes and societies and Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

John Stafford O’Neill (St. Albert)
John O’Neill is an advocate of universal human rights, who has offered decades of distinguished service to others. He has worked to further progress in the areas of national unity, culture and heritage preservation and is a past Chief Commissioner of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Karen Percy-Lowe (Edmonton)
In 1988, Karen Percy became Canada’s second double medal winner in alpine skiing and she earned many top-14 placings in her years on the World Cup circuit. As a volunteer she has worked to support Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, the Oilers Community Foundation, Compassion House and the Waterkeeper Alliance. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Claudette Roy (Edmonton)
Claudette Roy is a longstanding leader in the Franco-Albertan community who initiated important projects and institutions, including Alberta's first publicly-funded French school. She played a key role in developing the governance model for French schools in Alberta and is an active volunteer with many community organizations. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Major Reimer M. Smith (Edmonton)
Reimer Smith has offered guidance and support to countless individuals through his service as former Senior Provincial Chaplain in the Alberta Solicitor General Department of Corrections and as an officer with the Salvation Army. He is highly respected for the lifetime of care and compassion he has offered to those in crisis. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Dr. Brian Sproule (Edmonton)
Brian Sproule is credited with establishing Pulmonary Medicine as an important specialty in Canada. A Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta, he has made valued contributions to research, to patient care and to organizations such as the Alberta Asthma Centre. He is also a champion of social responsibility and world peace. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Sergeant Steve Steward (Sherwood Park)
Steve Steward is a 32-year veteran of Alberta Justice and Solicitor General who has served in numerous areas including corrections and court services. He is currently serving at Government Centre where he has provided support to two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.

Sheriff Tim Turner (Edmonton)
Tim Turner has offered 30 years of distinguished service to the Crown as a member of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and has completed tours and missions in Afghanistan Cyprus, Croatia, the Middle East and West Africa. As an Alberta Sheriff he served two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta he now serves the Hon. Allison Redford.

Rudy Wiebe (Edmonton)
The acclaimed works of celebrated author Rudy Wiebe offer a fascinating exploration of the lives of people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta and was Founding President of the Writers Guild of Alberta. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award.

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For more information, contact:
Janet Resta
Communications Officer, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
780-427-9222

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.