Five Westlock community members were honoured last Tuesday as recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Rose Bibby, Tom McConaghy, Wayne Peyre, Leo Seguin and Sheila Trueblood were all at Westlock-St. Paul MP Brian Storseth’s office on March 12 to receive their medals.
“It’s a privilege to play a role in recognizing these people who give their time to the community and the country,” Storseth said.
He added hearing stories about why the recipients were nominated was “amazing” because it gave him a better understanding of the types of people in the community who received the award.
Bibby received her medal for the many hours of her time she’s given up volunteering, especially at the Hazel Bluff Hall and the surrounding community.
McConaghy’s time serving in the Army during the Second World War and the many hours he’s spent with the Westlock Legion led to his recognition.
“It’s a great honour,” McConaghy said. “I was not expecting it. I’m sure there are lots of other veterans who deserve it more than me.”
He said he suspected he was nominated for the medal because he had earned enough points through his military and Legion service time. He explained the Legion distributes points for service time, and the highest earners were eligible for the Diamond Jubilee Medal.
McConaghy spent five years in the Army, most of which was spent overseas.
Peyre’s medal was a result of his volunteering, particularly the time and effort he’d put into getting the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre off the ground.
Seguin’s work with such organizations as Rainbow for the Future, the Westlock Growing Project and the Westlock Rotary Club helped earn him his medal. Yet, he said he considers his medal one that can be shared with all three organizations.
“It’s definitely not an individual award,” he said. “It represents the work of hundreds of people.”
Seguin said while it’s great to win some accolades, it’s not something he actively pursues. In fact, he said he tries to hide from such recognition. Still, the recognition does have its upsides. “If it draws attention to the poorer people in the world, it’s worth it,” he said.
Trueblood earned her medal thanks to the countless hours she’s spent volunteering with myriad organizations in Westlock and the surrounding community.
Storseth said he’s proud of all the medal recipients, and his constituency in general.
“It should make people proud to see the whole range of people and actions in the area,” he said. “Hopefully it will encourage more people to get out volunteering.”
