Congratulations to all Award Recipients who were recognized by Premier Greg Selinger

October 27, 2009

COUNCIL ON AGING RECOGNITION AWARD WINNERS DEMONSTRATE

INDEPENDENCE, HEALTH, QUALITY OF LIFE: IRVIN-ROSS

Winners of this year’s Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition Awards are leaders in making meaningful contributions to improve the quality of life for older Manitobans, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for seniors, said today at a Seniors and Elders Month event recognizing award recipients.

“These awards winners know there is no greater calling than to serve Manitobans and there is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well,” said Irvin-Ross. “Today I am honoured to provide well‑earned recognition to those who have made Manitoba a more age-friendly province.”

“This is a wonderful celebration of seniors and their contribution to the well-being of communities throughout Manitoba,” said Jean-Yves Rochon, chair of the Manitoba Council on Aging, during the presentation of the awards.

The 2009 recipients are:
· Loreen Amann of Austin, for her active involvement with the Austin and Area Leisure Club as a participant, coach, key fundraiser and a board member;
· Shirley Johnston of Winnipeg, who served as the first president of St. Boniface Hospital Retirees Association;
· Josie Lucidi of Winnipeg, a founding member and vice-president of the board of directors of both the Villa Cabrini and Villa Nova seniors residences;
· Ellen Rawlings of Glenboro, an active volunteer with organizations such as the Glenboro Personal Care Home, Meals on Wheels and the Glenboro centennial committee;
· Joyce Rose of Stonewall, a founding member of the South Interlake Seniors Resource Council;
· Flora Zaharia of Winnipeg, a highly regarded member of the Aboriginal community and a respected elder;
· Patricia Corbin of Stonewall, who currently serves as chair of the South Interlake Seniors Council board; and
· Jane Kilpatrick of Winnipeg, who has served on the board of directors for Age and Opportunity since 1999 and as board chair from 2006 to 2009.

The 2009 Murray Smith Award went to Sophie Kolt of Winnipeg, an active member of Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors since its inception in 2001. 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.

In addition to the award winners, honourable mention certificates were presented to Jake Froese, Bert Johnson, Henry Sawatzky, Gordon Young, Sadie Leepart, Millie McLuckie, Theresa Nault, Vernice Sheppard and Virginia Tate.

Manitoba has developed the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative to support seniors in leading active, socially engaged and independent lives that contribute to healthy aging. The provincial initiative works together with communities to enhance many initiatives and services that benefit seniors and support the health, independence and well-being of all Manitoba seniors.

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 for their exemplary efforts on behalf of seniors and to pay tribute to the seniors who continue to contribute to their communities.