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Laura Morie collects Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal

Morie, who's a Town of Westlock councillor, recognized for her work with Rotary
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On March 16, Westlock Rotary Club member Laura Morie, left, accepts the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta) from Rotary District 5370 assistant district governor Carol Haley, a member of the Morinville Sturgeon Rotary Club, on behalf of Jackie Hobal, a past district governor.

WESTLOCK – Laura Morie is one of the most recent recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta), created by the Province of Alberta to mark the 70th anniversary of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s succession to the Throne as Queen of Canada, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

And Morie, a member of the Westlock Rotary Club, certainly reflects that same dedication to public service. She was nominated for the award by Jackie Hobal, a former member of the Athabasca Rotary Club and past district governor for District 5370 in 2010-2011 and a current member of the Edmonton West Rotary Club. Hobal nominated Morie for her continued work at the district level for her involvement with both youth and women’s work within the District.

Morie was presented with the award by Rotary District 5370 assistant district governor Carol Haley, a member of the Morinville Sturgeon Rotary Club, on behalf of Hobal at the regular Thursday noon meeting of the Westlock Rotary Club March 16. She also received a flower arrangement vase on behalf of the club by Terry Brown. The meeting and award presentation was held at Kerri’s Cafe, the former Westlock United Church building on Main Street in Westlock.

“Today, we’re gathered to give tribute to one who has given her time and talent to service to your community, our province and our country. Today is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of a person who has made your community better. She leads, rather than waiting to be led. She meets challenges head on. It’s my honour to present this award to Laura Morie, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal,” said Haley in her presentation of the medal.

Morie, who grew up in Westlock, said then when she moved back to Westlock she was asked to join Rotary and “that’s when I found community.”

“For me, community is where you feel like you are home. It has nothing to do with geography. It’s where you feel like you can make a difference. I feel very, very fortunate to have grown up in this area, because I watched each and every one of you people in this room shape our future.,” said Morie. “Every single person here has been an example, and I would say, that in Westlock, we have a bias towards saying ‘yes’. We punch above our weight, and when you look around here, you will see people’s vision for this community and where it came true.”

She noted several examples like the Rotary Trail, curling rink, the aquatic centre, Rotary Spirit Centre, and the Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill.

“As a result, we have amenities here that other towns and communities don’t have. We are so very blessed and fortunate. I think what it is is the power of everyone in this community being a great example. I just want to say that I think that the generosity of spirit and heart is unmatched. I want to thank you all for making me feel like I am part of this community.”

In addition to members, Morie was joined for this special occasion by her mom, Shirley Morie and sister Pam, as well as some close friends and neighbours.

Morie was the first female president of the Westlock Rotary Club in 2006 and was district governor for District 5370 in 2016. Within the community, she was a financial consultant until 2020 and today owns a production company that helps build and distribute online content, and is an avid volunteer in a number of roles. In addition to her volunteer work locally and her roles at the Rotary district level, she is also a Town of Westlock councillor.

Les Dunford, TownandCountryToday.com

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