MLAs Pat Bell and Shirley Bond handed out nine medals commemorating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Prince George, BC – BC Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Shirley Bond, told family and friends gathered at a special ceremony today that it was a humbling process to choose the recipients being honoured with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

"I just know that as a lifelong resident of Prince George, one of the things I am most humbled by is the quality of people that we get to work with and live with in this part of British Columbia – we are very blessed," said the Prince George-Valemount MLA, who was on-hand with Prince George-Mackenzie MLA, Pat Bell for today’s presentations at the Coast Inn of the North. 

Piper Sheldon Clare – who, himself, earlier received a Diamond Jubilee Medal marking the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation – led today’s recipients into the ballroom one at a time to receive their medals, as Bond and Bell took turns highlighting the accomplishments of each individual.

The honourees:

• The late Dr. Jack Mackenzie (represented by his wife, Andrea)
• Dick Voneugen
• Dr. Michelle Sutter
• Murray Sadler, QC
• Syl Meise
• Les Waldie
• Pete Amyoony (the Robson Valley resident was unable to attend today’s ceremony)
• the late Thomas Bowden Michael (medal presented posthumously at his funeral this past weekend)
• Kathy Nadalin (Nadalin was selected for a medal by the Premier, which was presented on her behalf by the local MLAs)

Dr. Jack Mackenzie passed away on January 11th of this year (click here, for previous story).  His wife, Andrea, was on-hand to accept the medal on his behalf. 

Minister Bond called it an unbelievable honour to recognize the man who worked tirelessly to build not only the local medical community, but the greater community, as well. 

And Bond’s personal connection to Dr. Mackenzie is extensive – not only did he deliver her, but he helped to deliver her twins, as well.  She said he cared for her parents before their passing, often stopping by for a home visit.

Dr. Mackenzie was previously awarded Queen Elizabeth II Medals honouring both the 25th and 50th Anniversaries of her coronation. 

Calling him ‘one of our more active seniors’, Pat Bell admitted he’s never thought of Dick Voneugen as a senior, as the local MLA then went on to list Vonuegen’s extensive list of contributions to sports in Prince George.

"He’s extremely community-minded, as indicated by his involvement in a large variety of different athletic community events," said Bell. 

Voneugen is chair of the Labour Day Classic, has chaired of the local Terry Fox Run since its inception, is on the Greenway Trails Committee and the Seniors Games Committee, as well as a volunteer with the Prince George Roadrunners.  Bell noted that Voneugen also spearheaded the Ice Oval, at his own personal expense.

Bell said it was his honour to present a medal, posthumously, to the late Thomas Bowden Michael at his funeral this past weekend.  The long-time Mackenzie resident – a former district councillor and mayor in the community – passed away on January 1st.  "Tom was a very, very good friend, a tremendous citizen, someone that Northern British Columbia will dearly miss," said Bell.

Minister Bond summed up by congratulating the recipients, "You make our place a better place to live and for that, we are deeply grateful."

She also quipped, ‘Where is Maclean’s when you really need them?’ – a reference to the magazine’s decision to designate Prince George the ‘Most Dangerous City in Canada’ this past December. (click here for previous story)