City celebrates community champions at 2023 Civic Awards ceremony

“It is an honour to recognize the outstanding achievements and efforts of these exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the life of our community. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to making our city a better place is truly inspiring. These Civic Awards are a testament to the impact they have made. On behalf of the entire city, I extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all of this year’s recipients,” Mayor Jeff Leal said.

In 2023, the Peterborough Police Service Auxiliary Police Unit was comprised of 21 individuals who contributed over 3,000 hours of volunteer time for the betterment of the community. These members do not receive any type of renumeration or benefits other than the rewards of knowing that they are making our community a better place to work, live and play. Activities of the Auxiliary include the following:

Home Guard – a community-based crime prevention initiative to assist victims of crimes such as break and enters and property damage.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Audits – to support business and residential owners to reduce victimization.

Child Safety Seat Inspection Clinics and Public Education programs such as “lock it or lose it”

The volunteers in 2023 were: Bill Bowers, Jared Brandon, Melissa Brinklow, Andrew Burdett, Jeff Fredenburg, John Gallen, Denise Griffin, Mike Harbert, Terry Hickey, Julie Levesque, Karen McArthur, Paula Mann, Don Parnell, Steve Parker, Ken Walden, Adam White, Teena Yates, Max Milan, Richard Smith, Ryan Stabler, Will Sykes.

In the words of their nominator: “As a member of the Peterborough Police Service, but more importantly a 40-year member of this community, I couldn’t think of a more deserving group of individuals to recognize for their combined efforts to Community Betterment.”

Myles Conner has been the figurehead of the collaborative community group Food Not Bombs that has provided food and community for almost 19 years. This work is carried out with a group of volunteers without any funding and with only their compassion to fuel them.

Meals are provided every Monday in Confederation Square and volunteers are involved with surplus food pickup from farmers, gardeners, grocers, bulk stores and members of the public. After the food is collected, they are involved in meal preparation, packaging and plating as well as cleaning up the kitchen. Myles works to prepare and provide 30 plus meals very week which are distributed at no charge to people in need.

In the words of his nominator: “He continues to do what he does, rain or shine, never having been asked to be recognized as a leader.”

Irish Millie (also known as Millie Shadgett) is an important part of the Peterborough community. She is a musical artist who often generously donates her time for various charity and fundraising events here in our community, including non-profit organizations nearby such as the Five Counties Children’s Shelter. She has also started a fundraising event in tandem with the Terry Fox Foundation and for cancer research more generally.

Irish Millie has continuously brightened the Peterborough area through her love of music, and her caring personality. In helping organize and take part in events nearby such as the Havelock Summerfest, Peterborough Performs, as well as through her dedication to working with the unhoused members of our community Millie has shown that both her compassion and time are valuable contributions to our city and its residents.

As a winner of the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist of the Year award, as well as being a three-time nominee for the Young Performer of the Year award at the Canadian Folk Music awards, it is safe to say Peterborough will be fortunate to hear Irish Millie’s music, and benefit from her work with the public, for years to come.

Jennifer and Braden Glasbergen have spent countless hours preparing beautiful displays on their property that have been enjoyed and celebrated together by the neighbouring residents. In return for their hard work in bringing new and exciting sights to their small community, the Glasbergen’s simply asked for small donations to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, as much as people were capable to provide. Their benevolence and creativity in raising funds for such an ever-important cause has been deeply appreciated in Peterborough.

The Glasbergen’s efforts and dedication have not gone unnoticed with local residents, as many have mentioned how such a simple act was able to bring smiles to the youth and families in the area. Their selflessness and contributions have impacted their community positively, and the City of Peterborough is grateful for their hard work.

Marie Gulliver is being celebrated for her role in community betterment within the City of Peterborough. A loving mother of three, Marie has continued to impact her community positively despite dealing with an extremely challenging time in her own family life. Marie’s son, Ezra, was sadly diagnosed with Leukemia shortly before his second birthday. While navigating the impossible landscape of caring for a sick child, Marie has demonstrated outstanding support and advocacy for Canadian Blood Services in Peterborough.

Despite sometimes-weekly trips to Toronto with Ezra for check-ups, Marie has been able to set up a “Partners for Life Program” called Ezra’s Journey, and together the team has donated blood more than 75 times. She also continues to frequent local stem-cell swabbing events, courageously sharing her difficult story with those in attendance to spread awareness. In May, Marie and Canadian Blood Services hosted a month-long donation event, with a pledge of 100 units hoping to be collected. Her tireless work and dedication throughout her own challenging situation are a testament to the compassion and giving spirit that Marie represents here in our community.

In more than one hundred hours of volunteering within the city this year, Marie has shown to be a vital member of our city, addressing and bringing awareness to important causes that also affect her personally. This steadfast commitment to the public and these causes is greatly appreciated.

Dave Rumball is being honoured for his role in helping to better our community in Peterborough over the past year, and beyond. Dave is a longtime supporter of Canadian Blood Services in the city, and incredibly, he has donated blood more than 230 times. His selflessness and commitment to helping others who are in need is the foundation of community betterment that is recognized with this award.

Staff at Canadian Blood Services are always pleased to see Dave coming by and have noted that Dave always comes and leaves with a smile. His workplace of Nisbett Funeral Home has also graciously donated treats from the local doughnut shop ‘Tragically Dipped’ which was greatly appreciated by donors and staff alike within the building. These kind gestures, as well as Dave’s lasting commitment to donating blood here in the City, continue to impact our community in the most positive of ways.

With Dave’s generosity, hundreds of patients who rely on blood donations to live are able to access these services, and the community is forever thankful for Dave’s kind, giving spirit.

The Peterborough Lions Club has long served a vital role to community betterment in the City of Peterborough. Just a few examples of the hard work they do for our city include Salvation Army Toy Drives, providing treats and refreshments for Long Term Care residents, and local events such as ‘Porch Pirates’ and ‘Loonies on the Street’. Additionally, the Lions Club helps to provide medical supplies in times of need, as well as finding creative fundraising events to provide financial support for lower income residents in the community.

Having volunteered more than 15,000 hours locally as a collective, there is no question as to the importance of the Peterborough Lions Club to our city, and their commitments are greatly appreciated. Another common example of their charitable work includes Shoe Drives, often designed to provide for local unhoused populations, with surplus shoes being sent to developing countries Internationally. Members of the Lions Club have been described as never saying no to an opportunity to help in Peterborough and the surrounding area, and are often recognized around the city for their generous hearts, and an eagerness to contribute to the goal of community betterment.

With many new members signing on to join the Lions Club this year alone, the significance of their role to the community is clear, and deeply appreciated.

Sebastian Johnston-Lindsay has been an integral part of the Peterborough arts and cultural community since he started working on his PhD at Trent University in 2018. He is very involved in the music scene in Peterborough and can often be found behind his drum kit performing with his Peterborough-based band NightDanger.

His involvement with the music scene and passion for history and Canadiana resulted in his radio show “Great Canadian Covers” through Trent radio. He also co-hosts a radio show “Noisehole”, where he engages with local artists, community members and Canadian icons. Sebastian is also a volunteer member with the City of Peterborough’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Says one of his nominators: “He is always willing to mentor or support those in need. He is passionate and serious and values his work and personal commitments.” Another supporter adds: “He is also a fierce activist and is always willing to show up for every cause he believes in. He is a cornerstone of Peterborough and should be acknowledged as such.”

The Peterborough arts community is better for the efforts of Sebastian.

Tina Avlonitis’s remarkable dedication and tireless efforts for community are being recognized with a Cultural Betterment award.

Tina’s volunteerism knows no bounds and she is a dedicated member of Holy Trinity Church. She is involved in supporting new Ukrainian immigrants and foreign students and works to foster a sense of inclusivity and support for newcomers in our community. She can often be found providing transportation for those wanting to become involved in the church.

Well known in the Peterborough Greek community, she is a member of the Board of Directors. In 2023 she volunteered over 200 hours to various initiatives including the annual Greek Festival. Her efforts in coordinating this cultural celebration have left a lasting impact on the community, bringing people together and celebrating the community’s diverse heritage.

In the words of her nominator: “Tina’s dedication to lifelong learning, community engagement, and cultural preservation make her a highly deserving candidate for the Cultural Betterment Award.”

Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group was formed in 2021 to advocate on behalf of Ashburnham Memorial Park in East City. This is a grass roots, community-based volunteer organization lead by a Steering Committee of six volunteer members dedicated to conserving, improving and appreciating the park. There are currently over 100 active participants.

In 2023, 225 people participated in 11 Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship events and projects and the number of volunteer hours exceeded 535. These activities include park clean-ups in the spring and fall. In 2023, the clean-up resulted in 56 bags of garbage collected from the park.

The group also sponsors guided nature walks for the community to encourage both recreation and to learn about the flora and fauna. These walks are free and open to the general public. The spring bird walk on May 25 included lessons on ornithology, geology, local history and botany. A summer bat walk has also been organized along with bat detectors to observe and record information on our local bat populations.

The group also organized a project called “Open your Eyes” with Kaawaate East City Public School to offer outdoor art education for students. Throughout the year the organization also offers support and assistance for students conducting research through the Trent University Research Centre.

On top of all of these activities, the Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group also assisted the City and Ontario Hydro with a massive tree planting event in the park on June 7, 2023.

The City is fortunate to have such an incredible group of volunteers helping to make life better for residents.

The City is pleased to recognize the Holy Cross Secondary School Girls Hockey Team, the Hurricanes, with an Athletic Award of Merit.

The girl’s hockey team made history in March by becoming the first girls high school hockey team from Peterborough to win the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Gold Medal. The girls won the provincial title by beating the two-time defending champions from St. David.

Team members include: Isabelle Urie, Kali Dearmer, Ashley Yantha, Jordyn Scott, Grace Plunkett, Lily Merrick, Annalise MacPhee, Katie Belk, Molly Farace, Abbi Brumwell, Olivia Cote, Olivia Mercer, Olivia Desautel, Brooklyn Tulk, Macy Harper, Kira Graham, Megan Bell, Claire Chambers, Hannah Meecham, Lexi Newman, Jenna Menzies, Ashlynn Crowley, Nataya Galvin (manager), Tori Sage (trainer) and Coaches Jaden Gates, Craig Hulsman, Ian Murray.

Congratulations on winning gold.

Chelsea Burton is being recognized for her outstanding achievements in wrestling.

In 2023 she won the OFSAA silver medal, but what sets Chelsea apart is her unwavering commitment to improvement. She was challenged when she transitioned to a more competitive weight class and ultimately secured the provincial gold medal champion title this year. She also exemplifies the values of sportsmanship both on and off the mat. She is also a role model for younger students at Kenner. She has achieved all of this in a sports career of only two years.

In the words of her nominator: “By clinching the gold medal championship, Chelsea has not only elevated her own standing but has also brought recognition and pride to our community.”

Chelsea is a true athlete and also plays on the Kenner girls basketball team, track and field and soccer teams.

The Kenner Rams Senior Boy’s Basketball Team finished with an Antique Bronze medal at the Single A OFSAA Boys Basketball championship in 2023.

They uplifted the entire Kenner community that came together to support them. This past OFSAA the same team was able to capture a Silver medal. The entire Kenner community and the City of Peterborough is incredibly proud of these accomplishments.

Winning a sliver and an antique bronze is the best result of any basketball team in Peterborough and is the best record in 23 years for Kenner. Peterborough schools have established themselves as powerhouses provincially since COVID, having all three representatives of the COSSA region being from Peterborough this year.

In addition to winning the antique bronze last year, the Kenner Senior Boys Basketball team was awarded the Sportsmanship award by the host committee. The Sportsmanship award is the highest honour at the tournament, in addition to medal placement. This year they took the silver medal.

Also, it is important to recognize the coaching staff, including Fred Blowes, who although retired these past two years has volunteered to be head coach and develop the team into a provincial contender.

MacKenna Hancock represented team Ontario at the U15 National Box Lacrosse Championships in Regina and won Gold. She was selected to U15 team Ontario Development Program for Field Lacrosse and competed in the U15 National Championship in St. Eustache Quebec, and Super Sixes in Oshawa. She was also a leader on her PMLA Lakers U15 team and with the Kawartha Lacrosse Club.

MacKenna represented her local clubs and the community of Peterborough well while competing at the highest level of Box Lacrosse and winning a National Championship with Team Ontario in August 2023. She is also a high-performance hockey player competing at the U15AA level and is looking forward to continuing her development as a multisport athlete as a secondary school student.

John McNutt has volunteered in a variety of ways most of his life. In particular, he chaired both Heads up for Inclusion and the Council for Persons with Disabilities for 10 and 12 years respectively.

John also provides direction and support for the Capable Con event, currently in its third year and it takes place on the final day of National Accessibility Awareness Week.

In his years of volunteering John has always been ahead of the curve with employing, empowering and showcasing how those with a disability can be productive team members for any organization that employs them.

After undergoing a left leg amputation nearly eight years ago, John found himself in a world facing barriers he had heard about, but not experienced himself. Having a real-world perspective allowed him to better understand and advocate for a community where all can live, work and play without barriers.

Alexis Jenkins is the 2023 Junior Athlete of the Year. Lexi has excelled at all sports during her high school career, but her dominant sport is women’s field lacrosse which has earned her a scholarship at the Power 5 School – the University of Oregon. In her first year at the Oregon Ducks she earned a starting spot on the team. She was also nominated for the PAC 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Such a tremendous accomplishment for a rookie.

In addition to being a NCAA lacrosse player, the former Kawartha Club player also competed in many sports at high school including: cross-country, Nordic skiing, wresting and track. In addition to qualifying for OFSAA in four sports she also played high school basketball, volleyball rugby, and lacrosse for Crestwood. She also played for Team Ontario in lacrosse from 2018-2022. She was selected as captain for both the Kawartha Lacrosse Team and Team Ontario. She isn’t just a great player she has great leadership skills.

In one of the letters of support, the individual said: “Lexi is a very mature and responsible individual who is highly coachable and one of the most dominant and determined athletes I have been in contact with…what I admire most about Lexi other than her athletic skills and work ethic is her ability to make the plyers around her better, not only with their skills and team play, but she has always been very generous with her time to help her fellow teammates.”

Titus Ngouepo has demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment through his volunteer work at the New Canadian Centre and implementing the Junior Achievement Company programs at his school.

Says his nominator: “Titus’s involvement at the New Canadian Centre showcases his genuine passion for supporting newcomers to integrate into society…His willingness to assist newcomers with language learning, cultural orientation, and other essential services has made a significant impact on their lives, helping them navigate the challenges of settling in a new country.”

Titus is a newcomer to Canada himself, as he has only been here for five years. His volunteering has inspired his peers to explore their potential in business and innovation. He is currently on scholarship at Lakefield College school and has also received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.

Greg McLeod has spent decades volunteering to enrich the lives of Peterborough kids, families and the most vulnerable.

Greg spearheaded a reading buddies program to support students at local schools. Greg organized Reading Buddies volunteers through Kiwanis. Volunteers work with the kids weekly helping them to build confidence and practice the skills they need to become strong readers. Without extra support these students would likely continue to struggle in school.

Through his work with Kiwanis, he also supported the recently launched Kiwanis Active Kids program which provides tailored programming for children and youth with disabilities. This program provides activities such as wheelchair basketball, yoga, arts and crafts and games. He has also organized school supplies drives to assist students in need through his local Kiwanis community club.

Greg was also a big brother and acted as a role model for an underprivileged child. His relationship with his former little brother continues today.

Greg was the principal organizer of the Peterborough Hospital Lottery which operated in Peterborough through the 1990s to the early 2000s. Through his efforts money was raised for people in need and enabled investments in supplies such as baby incubators.

Greg’s volunteering is remarkable. In the words of his nominator: “This nomination does not even scratch the surface of Greg McLeod’s contributions to Peterborough but I hope it gives a glimpse of a life dedicated to making Peterborough a better place.”

Ron Cambridge is the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Ron has spent decades helping people with special needs with life skills, Special Olympic sports, and social skills.

Hundreds of special needs citizens know and love Ron for all he has done for them. He has been volunteering with Special Olympics for 23 years. His Special Olympians won the national championship in 2020.

Ron’s involvement with Special Olympics began in 2000 when he was supporting a youngster through Kinark and thought it would be beneficial for the child to become involved in physical activities. He started bocce and ball hockey in Peterborough. He coached at two world games, winning silver at both in the sport of floor hockey in 2013 in Idaho, and 2017 in Austria. In 2020 he was named Special Olympics Ontario Coach of the Year and Team of the Year.

Ron has been active over the years fundraising for Special Olympics including Christmas dinners/dances for athletes and their families.

Ron is also a Knight with St. Alphonsus Knights of Columbus and has volunteered countless hours with Peterborough’s faith community. Ron has contributed so much to the Peterborough community over his decades of service and has indeed helped to make Peterborough a better place.