More Jubilee medals awarded

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

Birch Cliff was well represented at a ceremony on Saturday to honour recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

The medals were handed out by Scarborough Southwest MP Dan Harris at a lovely gathering at the West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre on Pharmacy Ave.

The Diamond Jubilee medal was created to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne and has been awarded to 60,000 Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their community or the country.

Here are some of the local recipients:

Gail Barkic receives Diamond Jubilee Medal from Scarborough Southwest MP Dan Harris

Gail Barkic

As President of the Churches by the Bluffs Food Bank, Gail Barkic has been helping to feed the hungry for the last ten years. Gail was one of the founding members of the food bank, located in Birchcliff Bluffs United Church and supported by five local churches. When the food bank was launched in September 2003 it supported 24 families and today it provides assistance to more than 300 families on a weekly basis. Barkic said she feels “humbled” and “very thankful” to receive the Diamond Jubilee Medal.

John Lister shakes hands with Scarborough Southwest MP Dan Harris as he receives Diamond Jubilee Medal

John Lister

John Lister was a founding board member of the Birchcliff Housing Cooperative, which opened its doors at Kingston Road and Harding Blvd. back in 1981. Lister is a life-long community volunteer who has also spent 35 years with the Scouting movement, volunteers with the 48th Highlander Regiment Old Comrades Association and worked to bring medical supplies to developing countries through the NGO “Not Just Tourists“.

“I was really proud to be recognized and grateful for the award. It’s a very wonderful award and certainly when you look at the people who have received it previously, they’re very distinguished, so I feel somewhat humbled, proud and excited.”

Lynn Anson-Cartwright accepting her Diamond Jubilee Medal

Lynn Anson-Cartwright

Lynn Anson-Cartwright has been a volunteer for more than 56 years. She helped to save Taylor Memorial Library, was a librarian and “homework helper mom” at Courcelette Public School and spent more than 40 years volunteering at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Debbie Gallant receives her Diamond Jubilee Medal

Debbie Gallant

Debbie Gallant has been actively involved at Variety Village since 2003, contributing her time annually to events such as the Lieutenant Governor’s Games, Walk Roll Run and World’s Greatest Christmas Party.

Gallant said she felt honoured to receive the award: “You volunteer because you volunteer. That’s your life and that’s what you do. To be recognized is something special.”

Barb Hodgkinson

Barb Hodgkinson is a long-standing volunteer with both the Churches by the Bluffs Food Bank and the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra. Hodgkinson says receiving the Diamond Jubilee Medal was overwhelming, humbling and totally unexpected.

“My feeling is you don’t volunteer to get recognition. It’s the joy of doing it, the people you meet, and the experiences. It’s all so positive.”

Ken Murray receives his Diamond Jubilee Medal from MP Dan Harris

Ken Murray

Ken Murray has been a leader of the 6th Toronto Cub Pack in Highview for the last 38 years. He now has a matching set of Jubilee Medals, having been recognized ten years ago with a Golden Medal on the Queen’s 50th anniversary.

“There’s so many people who volunteer that never ever get recognized and to see these people get recognized means a lot to me.”

Kelly Jackson is seen in this file photo leading Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Legion. He was unable to attend the Diamond Jubilee Ceremony.

Kelly Jackson

Kelly Jackson is a long serving member of Scarborough Branch #13 of the Royal Canadian Legion and is currently serving as President. He’s an active volunteer at the Good Sheppard Mission and Veterans Affairs Liaison for the Off The Street Campaign.

Karin Eaton

Karin Eaton is the founder of Eaton is the founder of Mural Routes, the organization that has been beautifying public spaces in Scarborough since 1990. She was also unable to attend the ceremony and received her medal from MP Dan Harris earlier in the week. You can read our separate story about Karin here.