Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece presented Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medals to several residents from the area at the library here on Nov. 7.
The medals, honouring the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne and her contributions as the sitting monarch, are handed out to people for their varied contributions to the communities in which they live.
Some 60,000 people across Canada have been honoured with the medal, including the six recipients at last week’s presentation – Jean Campbell, Paul Day, Bob McFarlane, Donna McFarlane, Pat Salter and Ray Wightman – who were joined by friends and family members.
“All of you are deserving because of your commitment to your community,” Pettapiece said before handing out the medals.
At the end of the ceremony, he added, “I am honoured to present these medals and meet some of you for the first time.”
Jean Campbell
“Jean Campbell is a retired, former clerk of the Village of Drayton, and is an outstanding volunteer in the Township of Mapleton,” the MPP said. “Campbell was a Rotarian for many years, and has served on numerous community groups including the Drayton Citizens’ Association, the Cemetery Committee and Mapleton Horticultural Society.”
Campbell is Mapleton’s local historian, having been a key individual in recording the history of Drayton in 1975 and a more recent reprinting in 2000. She also writes a weekly historical article in the Community News.
Campbell was a founding board member of the Drayton Festival Theatre, one of Wellington County’s prominent tourist attractions.
“For many years, she was the theatre board’s secretary and assisted with costumes and other tasks that have built the theatre into one of Canada’s top theatres,” Pettapiece said. “She quietly, unassumingly volunteers by driving local residents to various appointments and is always willing to lend a hand.”
Paul Day
“Paul Day has been a leading volunteer and land steward in our community for many years,” Pettapiece said of the Mapleton recipient.
“Day coordinates and chairs the Trees for Mapleton program, overseeing tens of thousands of trees being planted to improve crops and air quality. This program has led to the creation of the Wellington County Green Legacy program, which has received not only national attention, but was recently recognized by the United Nations for environmental stewardship.”
Day, according to Pettapiece, has been a member of the Wellington County Stewardship Council for many years, and has spent countless hours educating the residents of Wellington County about the importance of tree planting.
“He is also quite involved in the Mapleton Historical Society, and was chair of Portraits of Peel-Attiwandaronk to Mapleton history book committee.”
Donna McFarlane
McFarlane is a retired teacher and active volunteer in the Mount Forest area. She received the medal along with her husband Dr. Robert (Bob) McFarlane, recognizing their separate volunteer achievements in the community.
“McFarlane has worked extensively with Free the Children, a charity dedicated to helping children across the world,” Pettapiece said.
“She has educated our community about the work of Free the Children, and the Me to We campaign, inspiring students to get involved in the cause. As part of her work with the organization, McFarlane has travelled to Kenya, building a school in a local village, and helping the community to find better water.”
McFarlane is also involved as a volunteer with the local HOPE committee of Wellington North, which assists people dealing with mental illness, and the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario.
“I would like to thank Donna McFarlane for her commitment to education and her humanitarian work,” Pettapiece added.
Dr. Bob McFarlane
“Dr. McFarlane has served as a director for the Mount Forest Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation for 20 years in various leadership roles, motivating fellow directors to raise several million dollars in support for our local hospital,” Pettapiece said.
“He is also an active member of the Mount Forest United Church, where he led the major restoration project to preserve the structure.”
The doctor has also been a member of the Mount Forest Kinsmen Club and supports different organizations and ecology projects.
Salter
“Pat Salter is an extremely active volunteer and community representative,” Pettapiece said. “Salter has a long career at Sussman’s of Arthur and has always been extremely involved in our community. She served as a councillor for Peel Township from 1988 to 1990 and was reeve from 1988 to 1990. Salter currently serves as the Mapleton/Wellington North representative on the board of the Grand River Conservation Authority.”
Pettapiece said Salter also has an extensive volunteer background, serving as warden of Grace Anglican Church, volunteering with the Alma Women’s Institute and the Drayton Festival.
She is also involved in the Seniors for Excellence feeding program, the Arthur Chamber of Commerce and various hospital boards.
Ray Wightman
“Ray Wightman is an innovator and incredible business leader,” Pettapiece said.
“After taking over the company, Wightman transformed the telecommunications business building up to what is now Wightman Telecom.”
“In the 1960s, as new technology was introduced, Wightman purchased several local exchanges, growing his local Clifford station,” the MPP added. “He brought new technologies to these exchanges, including underground copper cable and automated switching. Wightman has since handed down the business to his sons, Paul and Blair, who have continued on the family tradition of bringing innovative technology to our community.”
