Town honours top citizens for volunteer contributions
"No person was ever honoured for what he or she received. Honour is given by what he or she gave." Calvin Coolidge

John Gilbert (right) was named the Town' s and CEAC's Environmentalist of the Year, at last week's volunteer appreciation evening. On hand to congratulate him were Mayor Marolyn Morrison and CEAC chair Neil Morris.

Several members of the community were duly recognized for their giving last Wednesday night, during the annual Caledon Volunteer & Citizen Achievement Awards ceremony.

Mayor Marolyn Morrison said local volunteers exemplify true heroic endeavours, adding the recipients are all outstanding in their roles.

Environmentalist

of the Year Award

In good company with this area's cream of the crop is businessman and volunteer John Gilbert, who earned the Caledon Environmental Advisory Committee's (CEAC) Environmentalist of the Year Award.

Gilbert is one of those amazing individuals who never stops giving to the community in so many ways, across all levels of his personal and business life.

In 1989, John and his wife Corinne moved to Caledon and started to get involved in the community. In addition to running a leading edge company - Metalon Technologies - John has found time to be involved in many activities.

He joined Caledon Hydro as a director in 1998. After Hydro was sold, he joined Cool Caledon as a committee member and brought his extensive engineering and business experience to help direct and secure funding for the COOL agenda, including the Electricity Doctor program, Kil-O-Watt Meter Library program and the Caledon Energy Show.

Gilbert joined the Caledon Chamber of Commerce and has been a board member of Caledon Countryside Alliance since 2005. He has shown leadership on all fronts, including taking on initiatives such as the 2006 Housing and Community Design Expo.

As founder and operator of Metalon since 1986, Gilbert has not only ensured the company is good at its core business, but also boasts high environmental standards. The company has a pollution control plan through the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement. The company was honoured with the Greater Dufferin Chamber of Commerce 2006 Business Excellence award for the environment.

Gilbert is one of those people who wakes up every morning and tries his best to make the world a better place for everyone.

In his humble and gratuitous manner, Gilbert extended praise to others. He lauded the love and support of his wife and family and the efforts of Karen Hutchinson, of the very active Caledon Countryside Alliance.

He admitted he was flattered and honoured to be given such recognition. He offered praise for the mayor, councillors and Town staff, noting if there's no one to take a leadership role and implement strategies, nothing will ever get done.

Volunteer Champion

Well known media personality and local MC Tayler Hap Parnaby received the first Volunteer Champion award.

He was unable to attend and members of his family were on hand to accept the acknowledgement.

Mayor Morrison introduced Parnaby as the "voice of Caledon."

As the chief correspondent for CFRB and recipient of Canada's top broadcasting award, the President's Award, Parnaby is an integral part of our community. "His ability to engage a room and selflessly commend others, places Tayler in a category all his own," she said.

With more than 50 years experience in broadcasting his partial list of achievements includes:

* 23 years speaking to youth in Caledon through Rotary's Camp Enterprise.

* Numerous gold medals for excellence in broadcasting.

* People's Choice Award.

* President of News Radio and Ottawa Bureau Chief.

* Named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International for his contributions in the community.

* Guest speaker at the Region of Peel inaugural to name a few.

Parnaby, she said is committed to journalism. He has covered major events like the funeral of Princess Diana, the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, the Columbine tragedy and he was in New York on September 11, 2001.

"But there is no greater commitment than when Tayler returns home, for the last 10 years, to MC tonight's event to show his appreciation for all the outstanding volunteerism taking place in his community.

"Tayler is truly an extraordinary example of an individual who cares more about what he gives than what he gets. As a dynamic leader, Tayler has been bringing people together with his imaginative ability to tell stories and witty humour."

Distinguished Citizens

Recognized for their contributions were Ena Badger, Ed Bovair, Jim Flaxman, Gerald Hugh Gorman, Richard Hunt, Jean Kelloway, Piera Kirby, Sharon Lambert, Rita Reid, Barbara Sweeney, Fred Twitchin and Marjorie Wilkinson.

Community &

Social Services

In this category, recipients included Marilyn Adams, Wendy Boughton, Margo Bruno, Joy Croft, Ann Davidson, Rita Deveau, Josie Guhl, Dorte Hawker, Joan Kerr, Jack Macbeth, Deidre McEnaney, Wendy McLeod, Bernice Nixon, Wendee Zammit.

Laught Out Loud charity event committee members included Sonia Bertillo, Sue Chiovitti-Bogner, Jackie Fraser, Carol Medhurst.

Council Committees

Those getting honoured for council committee work were Allen Edwards, Samantha Green and Brenda Heenan.

Sports & Recreation

Jo-Anne Fiore, Gail Grant, Margaret Shier and Josie Yakimishyn received praise for their contributions in this regard.

Art & Culture Ofelia Alag received the only art and culture award.