October 22, 2008

IRVIN-ROSS CONGRATULATES MANITOBA COUNCIL ON AGING AWARD WINNERS


The outstanding contributions of seniors and their communities were recognized today by Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for seniors, as she distributed the Manitoba Council on Aging (MCA) Recognition Awards.

“These awards give much-deserved recognition to Manitobans including older adults who have gone above and beyond to help seniors in their communities,” said Irvin-Ross. “October being Seniors’ Month makes this a great time to reflect on the tremendous work people are doing in communities all over our province.”

The 2008 individual recipients of the award include:
· Hannah Bazlik, Churchill;
· Jack Oatway, Winnipeg;
· Phyllis Spigelman, Winnipeg;
· Brian and Valerie Wilson, Thompson;
· Bernice Minshull, Pierson;
· Lois Creith, Manitou;
· Kathy Horkoff, Winnipeg;
· May Petrie, Brandon; and
· Randell Pappel, Altona.

The 2008 Murray Smith Award went to Margaret Barbour. The award was established in honour of the late Murray Smith, former chair of the Manitoba Council on Aging. Smith was a prominent educator and an active volunteer and advocate for seniors. The award is presented to an individual who demonstrates exceptional skills in the areas of advocacy, volunteerism and policy influence.

Manitoba has developed the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative to support seniors in leading active, socially engaged, independent lives that contribute to healthy aging. The provincial initiative works together with communities to enhance many programs and services that support the health, independence and well-being of all Manitoba seniors. The goal is to make Manitoba the most age‑friendly province in Canada.

The Manitoba Council on Aging was established in 1980 as an advisory body to the minister responsible for seniors. The awards were established in 1996 to recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations for their exemplary efforts on behalf of seniors. In addition to the award winners, honourable mention certificates were presented to individuals in recognition of October as Seniors’ and Elders’ Month in Manitoba.

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MCA INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS

Phyllis Spigelman
• Has been a member of the National Council of Jewish Women for over 50 years and has held executive positions at both local and national levels.
• Currently serving on the board of directors at Gwen Sector Creative Living Centre (Food Services Committee), the Sharon Home and the Winnipeg Multiple Appeals commission.
• Currently a member of the Etz Chayim Synagogue and past member of the board of directors and executive of Rosh Pina Synagogue.

Bernice Minshull
• Has long supported community organizations and activities such as curling, hockey, figure skating, Sunday school, baseball, school functions, wedding showers and farewells.
• Is an active volunteer with the Huntington’s Society.
• Moved to Pierson Lodge in 1999 where she continues to organize activities.
• Is an active member of the Pierson Friendship Centre where she has held various offices and served on the entertainment committee for several years.

Randell Pappel
• Has been a contributor to various communities including the RM of Rhineland, the Village of Halbstadt and the Town of Altona.
• Has served on the board of directors and as president for the Halbstadt/Altona Credit Union board of directors.
• Has served as a member of various community committees such as the Halbstadt Community Church, Altona and Area Recreation District Board, Mennonite Central Committee and Rhineland School Division.
• Was chair of the Manitoba Pool Board for eight years and a member for 16 years.
• Was instrumental in getting an assisted-living program in the Ebenezer Seniors Home in Altona.




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May Petrie
• Serves as Kookum (grandmother in Ojibway) to many teenage girls and mothers.
• Since 2003, has served on the board of directors of the Friendship Center in Brandon.
• Is an advocate for Aboriginal older adults.
• Is involved in a variety of community committees such as the Indigenous Council of Elders, Brandon Regional Health Authority Recruitment and Retention Committee, and the Prairie Health Matters Regional Diabetes Committee.
• Is involved in Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors’ Canada Drug Strategy Project providing assistance in evaluating the project, served as a panelist during the Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors 2008 Conference and served as a consultant in older adult peer helper training in Brandon.

Jack Oatway
• Is a former president and member of the South Interlake 55+ board of directors.
• Is currently the Manitoba Society of Seniors reporter for the south Interlake district.
• Is chair of the Stonewall and District Health Centre Funds for the Future committee. And a former chair and current member of the Stonewall and District Health Centre Foundation Board.
• Is a former member of the South Interlake Seniors Resource Centre Council board.
• Is a former trustee of the Little Mountain School Division Board.
• Is a member of the Rosewood Lodge Expansion Committee.
• Spearheaded the founding of the Handi-van system for the south Interlake district.

Kathy Horkoff
• Has volunteered for Neighbourhood Watch as a block captain for many years and was one of the original members of the Earl Grey Neighbourhood Safety Association.
• Organized a drop-in for seniors at the Earl Grey Community Centre.
• Is a past board member and current volunteer with the South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council.
• Volunteers with Art Beat, a non-profit, mental-health support organization.
• Canvassed for cancer donations for over 15 years.
• Served on the Winnipeg Community Revitalization Program for the Fort Rouge community.


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Lois Creith
• His volunteer efforts led to the development of the Lodge seniors housing development.
• Was instrumental in setting up the Blair Morrison Foundation and Whiteman Fund, financial organizations providing funding through donations by past residents for local projects.
• Was a member of the board of executives of the La Rivière and Community Recreation Association.
• Was a member of the La Rivière United Church board, has been secretary-treasurer since1966 and is president of the La Rivière United Church Women.
• Has served the Manitou/La Rivière Pastoral Charge, United Church of Canada since 1996. Currently, she is the lay representative and chair-elect of the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Conference of the United Church of Canada.
• Is a member of the Central Region Regional Palliative Care Team.
• Is vice-chair of the southwest District Health Advisory Committee.

Brian and Valerie Wilson
• The Wilsons have taken on leadership roles in their church as members and chairs of various committees.
• Both are past City of Thompson councillors. Brian was the deputy mayor.
• Valerie is the current school board chair.
• Brian is very involved in the Thompson Race Relations Committee.
• Both are active members of the performing arts group Thompson Playhouse.
• Both were chairs of the City of Thompson 50th Anniversary Committee.

Hannah Bazlik
• Was ordained as the Anglican Minister and ministers on a voluntary basis to the congregation of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, hospital patients in Churchill and many communities in the Kivalliq region.
• Provides leadership within the church.
• Counsels family and youth facing difficulties such as addictions, relationships problems, terminal illness or grief and loss, and financial problems.
• Advocates for seniors and disabled persons.
• Is an active member of the Churchill Ladies Club which supports community projects which focus on seniors, youth and families.
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Murray Smith Award – Margaret Barbour
• Is the current chair of the Manitoba Association of Multi-purpose Senior Centres and a board member for 10 years.
• Is involved with Age & Opportunity Inc. in various capacities including past board chair and currently member of the Elder Abuse Committee.
• Is a board member of the national Active Living Coalition for Older Adults.
• Is a founding member and past chair of the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults in Manitoba.
• Is a member of the Manitoba Committee of Seniors.
• Is a Creative Retirement Manitoba board member.
• Is past chair of the diabetes project for Winnipeg Older Adults.
• Is past chair of the Reh-Fit Centre board.
• Is secretary of the Canadian Association of Gerontology, Social Sciences Division, as well as chair of the Policy and Resolution Committee of the Manitoba Association of Gerontology.
• Has participated on various federal, provincial and territorial committees on issues related to older adults.
• Is a founding member of the Manitoba Association of Recreation Directors.
• In the past, has also volunteered with the United Way of Winnipeg, West Broadway Girls and Boys Clubs, Elizabeth Fry Society, Women’s Auxiliary of the Manitoba Home for Girls, North Winnipeg Women’s Resource Centre and the Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba Division.


Honourable Mentions
• Everett Lloyd
• John D. & Verna Olenick
• Carolyn Levesque
• Glenn Hibbert
• J. Ernest Davis
• Amy Dellebuur
• Allen Johnson




• Nancy Cornish
• Lionel Laval
• Leona Christiansen
• Lucien Guénette
• Volunteer Team Transcona Congregate Meal Program
• Le Théâtre des Aînés (TDA)