Comox Valley MLA Don McRae presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals to four deserving individuals in recognition of their significant achievements and distinguished service to their fellow citizens.
"Strong communities are built through service from dedicated and caring individuals," says McRae. "I want to thank all of these recipients for their outstanding service to the Comox Valley. I am very proud to see Lori, Fred, Mike, and Dave selected for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal."
•Lori Mazey is currently the Director of Theatre Arts and Dance at Georges P. Vanier Secondary School in Courtenay. Lori attended GP Vanier as a student and now is respected and admired by the students and staff for her endless hours of work and dedication she puts into the drama and dance performances. Lori teaches “improv” outside her teaching hours and has won nationals in Ottawa for the performances. Lori has directed 21 musicals and always regularly travels to New York to attend classes to learn as much as she can about theatre and dance.
•Fred Bates served as a councilor for the Village of Cumberland for two 3 year terms and then served as Mayor for 3 terms. Fred is the retired Executive Director of the BC Ambulance Service, where he served for close to 30 years. In his terms as an elected official, he represented his constituents of Cumberland in a very thoughtful manner. Fred could also see how the whole Comox Valley could benefit working as a combined group of municipalities. When Fred was not working in his political life he served on the Comox Valley Community Foundation, St. John’s Ambulance Board as well as on the Courtenay Fish and Game Board. Although Fred is retired from his political duties, he continues to advocate for the betterment of the whole Comox Valley.
•Mike Holland has practiced law in the Comox Valley since 1996. His area of practice includes wills, family law, estates and personal injury. In the late 1990's when Glacier View Lodge in Courtenay faced the threat of losing its assets. Without receiving compensation, Mike fought the legislation in court for four years, and he won the battle. Later, when the promise to add 5,000 long-term care beds in BC was in jeopardy, Mike worked with the community to ensure the provincial government kept its promise. As a result, over 200 long term care beds were built in Vancouver Island North. Mike has served as a board member on St. Joseph’s Hospital Board, rotary, kinsman, theatre board, hospice board, Glacier View Lodge, regional hospital board, recreation board, sewer and water board.
•Dave Stevens and his wife Kathy ran a very successful auctioning business in Cumberland for over 30 years. During those years, and still to this day, Dave has volunteered his auction skills to numerous nonprofit fundraising events. Dave has the skills to prompt bidders to continue bidding on auction items, and thus raising more money for the non- profit organizations. There are only a few people that have the skills Dave has, and it is so appreciated that he shared these skills for all these years.
Medal recipients have made a significant contribution to a province, territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
Like Her Majesty, those recognized have dedicated themselves to service their fellow citizens, their community, and their country.
Canada is strengthened when we collectively honour those who have distinguished themselves by virtue of their talents and their service to the community.
This commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne.
During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians from across the country will be recognized. Our government is presenting approximately 700 medals.
— BC Liberal Government Caucus