Premier Christy Clark presents Ariadne Holness de Hiller with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal  photo submitted

Prince George, BC – A Prince George woman with a long history of volunteer involvement in the local speed skating community was one of 85 BC residents to receive the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal from Premier Christy Clark during a special presentation in Vancouver last week.

Ariadne Holness de Hiller was nominated by Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development, Bill Bennett, for her dedication to the sport of speed skating.  Holness de Hiller has been involved in the Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club for more than 10-years, coordinating competitions from mini-meets to national events.

The local woman created new safety standards for speed skating competitions that have been adopted nationally and is currently working closely with the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society on the first ‘test event’ for the games, set for March 2014 in the new Kin I arena.

Holness de Hiller was one of two residents from Northern BC honoured by the Premier at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver last Thursday.  Chief Ellis Ross of Kitamaat Village was also recognized for his long service in fostering business in his community.

Clark recognized all of the recipients as "pillars in our community". 

"We find their leadership inspirational," said the Premier.  "And this medal is a symbol of our gratitude."

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal is marking the Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year by honouring 60-thousand Canadians across the country for their service to their communities.  Local MLAs Shirley Bond and Pat Bell will honour eight local recipients at a presentation at the Coast Inn of the North later this morning.