Fourteen Manitobans were invested into the Order of Manitoba, the province's highest honour, at a special ceremony at the Manitoba Legislature on July 12. This prestigious award recognizes individuals whose work has benefited the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province

July 11, 2012

FOURTEEN MANITOBANS TO RECEIVE
ORDER OF MANITOBA JULY 12

Lieutenant-governor
To Preside over Investiture

Fourteen Manitobans will be invested into the Order of Manitoba, the province's highest honour, at a special ceremony to be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, July 12 in Room 200 of the Legislative Building.
The Order of Manitoba was established to recognize Manitobans whose demonstrated excellence and achievement have benefited the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents. This year, as special legislation provides, sees an increase in recipients to 14, from the usual 12, in recognition of both Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee and the bicentennial of the arrival of the Selkirk Settlers to Manitoba in 1812.
Lt.-Gov. Philip S. Lee, chancellor of the order, will preside over the investiture of the men and women whose achievements encompass a broad range of endeavours and accomplishments. The members to be invested at the ceremony are:

• Mark J. Chipman, chair of True North Sports and Entertainment, led the successful campaign to bring the Winnipeg Jets and the National Hockey League back to Manitoba;
• Pauline Clarke, chief superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division, has gained international acclaim for her groundbreaking work in the area of inner-city education;
• James Elliott Coyne, the second governor of the Bank of Canada (1955 to 1961), played a valued role in promoting the autonomy of the central bank, a principle now recognized worldwide;
• Darlene Dziewit, former president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, for her 40 years of exceptional service to working persons, to union members and to women;
• Leonard (Len) G. Flett, a former vice-president of The North West Company, who has created significant economic and employment opportunities for First Nations people;
• Étienne Gaboury, the renowned architect, whose works have brought the spirit of Manitoba and the Franco-Manitoban community to national and international prominence;
• Crystal Marie Kolt, musical director for the Flin Flon Community Choir, has been a major force for the development of the arts in northern Manitoba;
• Arthur (Art) Kazumi Miki, a leader in the Japanese Canadian community, played a pivotal role in Canada's historic Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement of 1988;
• Randall (Randy) Moffat, former CEO of Moffat Communications Limited and an extraordinary philanthropist, gave an unprecedented gift of $100 million to The Winnipeg Foundation in 2001 establishing The Moffat Family Fund;
• Dr. Brian D. Postl, the former founding president and CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, promoting excellence in health care in Manitoba and across Canada;
• Robert (Bob) I. Silver, has made an outstanding contribution to the business and community sectors at the local, national and international levels;
• Albert (Al) William Simmons, an internationally celebrated family entertainer, equally well known for giving of his time, talent and energy to support countless educational and charitable organizations;
• Leslie Spillett, a long-time advocate for Winnipeg's inner-city and the Aboriginal community on a wide range of issues including education, social justice and human rights; and
• Deborah Thorlakson, whose volunteerism personifies commitment to community, has benefited numerous foundations, organizations and boards across Manitoba.

"Manitobans have long been recognized for their generous spirits and compassionate souls. However, the 14 people selected for the Order of Manitoba stand out for going the extra mile, and beyond, in their steadfast commitment to create the Manitoba they envision," said Lee.
Appointments are made by the chancellor on the recommendations of a nine-member advisory council. Once invested, members will receive the insignia of the order and are entitled to use the initials O.M. after their names for life. Members' names are also on permanent display on a plaque located on the second floor of the Legislative Building.
This year's ceremony brings to 172 the total number of members named to the Order of Manitoba since its inception in 1999.

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Contact: Dwight MacAulay, C.V.O., secretary, Order of Manitoba Advisory Council, 204-945-3939.