Patrick C. Smith brought live theatre to this area nearly 40 years ago and continues to perform and train aspiring members of the local theatre community.
Robert McEachern stepped forward when it looked like Palmerston was about to lose its landmark local cinema and led a successful movement to save the Norgan Theatre.
Both men were in the spotlight at the Jan. 22 Minto council meeting, as they were honoured with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals.
Smith began performing as a youngster in his native England, where he studied at the London School of Music and Drama before moving to Canada as a young man.
He moved to Harriston in the early ‘70s and worked in Mount Forest as president and manager of Mactac Canada and later Viking-Cives. He founded the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild (GWTG) in 1974.
“When I first came to this area I asked someone if there was a theatre group around here and they said no. So I said, ‘There soon will be,’” quipped Smith.
The theatre group’s early performances were staged at the Mount Forest High School until they moved into the Harriston Town Hall Theatre in 1979.
Smith was recommended for the medal by the theatre guild’s board of directors. An excerpt from the nomination, read by Minto Mayor George Bridge at the meeting, notes Smith “has mentored hundreds of amateur actors, directors and backstage personnel as artistic director, president and director of dozens of productions. He continues to be an active member, helping to keep the theatre arts vibrant in our community.”
Over the years the group has staged many successful comedies, dramas and major musical productions.
“I’m very proud of the group and very proud of the people who have taken part,” said Smith.
McEachern had a lengthy career as an educator in Wellington County. He was a teacher at Norwell District Secondary School from 1968 to 1980, before moving on to work in the Continuing Education system until 1985, when he returned to Norwell as a vice-principal. He was vice-principal at Centre Wellington High School from 1990 to 1995 and at Erin District High School from 1995 to 1998, concluding his career as principal of Mount Forest High School in 2002.
In addition to spearheading the drive to save the 65-year-old Norgan Theatre from the wrecking ball five years ago, McEachern has devoted enormous amounts of time to preserving and promoting local history. He played a key role in the establishment of the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum at the former train station, which opened as a museum in 2001.
McEachern is also involved with the Minto Historical Society. That group has produced two books on bank barns in the area and is currently working on a book of photographs of every building in the municipality.
The society, notes McEachern proudly, is “entirely self-reliant.” While they received some corporate funding to get started, the projects are funded through book sales and the group has never received any public money.
McEachern is also a member of the Palmerston Lions Club and on the executive of the Wellington County branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. In the latter role, he assists residents of northern Wellington with genealogical research, operating from the railway museum.
“Thank you for recognizing us as volunteers. I think you send a message by recognizing us and hopefully people will realize we need people to work with us and more will come forward and volunteer,” said McEachern.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece sent congratulations on behalf of the Province of Ontario.
“These medals are a testament to your hard work and community volunteerism,” he stated.
“I would like to recognize Mr. Smith for his extensive volunteer background with local theatre as the founder and artistic director of the Grey-Wellington Theatre Guild. I would also like to commend his work in both performing and directing shows across the area, and mentoring young actors. To Mr. Smith, I would like to say thank you for your outstanding contributions to our local culture.”
Pettapiece continued, “I would like to recognize Mr. McEachern for his years of volunteerism in Wellington County. From his work as the local historian of Palmerston, to his involvement with the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum, Mr. McEachern is very involved in our community.
“I would like to thank Mr. McEachern for his dedication to preserving and sharing the history of Palmerston and Wellington County.”
