ATHABASCA – Master Cpl. Mathew Johnsen and Dr. Harvey Scott received their Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medals Feb. 3 from Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken and join eight other recipients from across the region.
Created to honour the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the thrones of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, approximately 7,000 Albertans have received the award for contributions.
van Dijken highlighted the fact that Johnsen and Dr. Scott had given much to their communities, without any expectation. He went on to note that Queen Elizabeth II had wanted any event that celebrated the jubilee to focus on togetherness, as well as optimism for what comes next.
“Like [Queen Elizabeth II], these medal recipients lead, rather than wait to be led. They tackle challenges head-on, and see problems as opportunities instead of obstacles,” said van Dijken.
Johnsen, who serves with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was honoured for his contributions professionally, as well as his role as a volunteer firefighter in Westlock and recently returned from his deployment helping to train Ukrainian soldiers in the UK. He is on leave as his wife and him celebrate the birth of their twin daughters. When asked about his future, Johnsen said that he “plans to be in the military for around another 13 years, and then I was maybe thinking about politics.” In the interim, he floated the idea of running as municipal councillors, although he would need permission from a superior officer.
Dr. Scott, Professor Emeritus of physical education and sports studies, was described as a champion of the indigenous and local community. He has a deep desire to preserve nature, as well as the communities and connections within it and is heavily involved in the Heartwood Folk Club, acting as president of the board in the past. A proud Scotsman, Dr. Scott wore his clan colours on a tartan tie and chatted with all the people present about their own families' histories.
