AND THE WINNERS ARE......

Our Citizen of the Year recipient will be difficult to disguise for you when we begin reviewing the many accolades and projects they have spearheaded over the last nearly sixty years. This individual is a true Red Deerian and was born here on March 7, 1956. He is a fifth generation resident of Red Deer and Pine Lake.
Son of G. Harold Dawe, Red Deer Public School Superintendent and L. Jean Hodgkinson Dawe, English instructor at Red Deer College. Our award recipient, Michael Dawe began his own journey in academic pursuits at the Red Deer College, Faculty of Arts, 1973-1975 where he continued to the University of Alberta, 1975-1976 and graduated with Bachelor of Arts (History and Economics) with distinction, 1976.
From sitting on numerous boards, committees and serving our community in a multitude of ways, Michael has won the hearts of our local community. His nomination letters alone tell us the story of the man who is behind the name.
The wide knowledge base that Michael holds, combined with the service he has provided to our community will not go unnoticed or forgotten. Presently, Michael works as an Archivist for the Red Deer and District Archives at the City of Red Deer and has since 1979. His contribution at our Centennial year celebrations were an invaluable contribution to this monumental moment in our community history.
While not his first, his book, Red Deer, the Memorable City released in December 2013 is now going into its third printing. Congratulations on this success in capturing our community Michael with each of your nine books and five co-authored literature pieces. We are honoured to have your weekly contributions in the Red Deer Advocate, Red Deer Express and Sylvan Lake News.
Michael has provided guidance and direction as a founding member of organizations such as the Archives Society of Alberta, Directors of Alberta Archives, Alberta Archives Council, Red Deer Heritage Preservation Committee, Alberta Municipal Heritage Advisory Board, Nordegg Historic heritage
Interest Group, Danish Heritage Society of Dickson, Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School Hall of Fame Committee, Hunting Hills Window of Distinction Committee, Blackfalds Archives Committee, Central Alberta Historical Society and Cultural Charter Partners. His founding member roles provide only a small sample of the organizations Michael has been a part of.
Michael has also found time to serve with many organizations such as the David Thompson Health Committee in a variety of roles, the Red Deer regional Hospital Board, STARS, the Westerner, and the Alberta Winter Games Records Committee to name a few.
Michael has received many medals and awards during his many years of service. One of the most prestigious in that was the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

 

2014 Young Citizen of the Year
Julia Maksymetz

Our Citizen of the Year recipient has shown tremendous dedication to both her local community and a world-wide landscape. She is a Lindsey Thurber Comprehensive High School graduate and has been studying Political Science at the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint Jean since the fall of 2012.
While maintaining a high academic record she has shown excellent leadership skills both locally and globally. Julia also served as a Link Crew Leader in her final two years at Lindsay Thurber where she helped transitions Grade 9's into the school in the fall.
Aside from her school, where this candidate has spun a positive outlook on female leadership, she also finds time to focus on her local community. These are a few projects she has invested her time and energy into:
Nomination criteria for the Citizen of the Year Award include the following:
• Volunteered to provide holiday dinner for residents of the Central Alberta Women’s Shelter
• Chaired event for local seniors where student serve and holiday meal and host a social time with student leadership.
• Organized and executed a free BBQ for Red Deer homeless.
• Is a student against Drunk Driving through supporting Safe Communities Day hosted by Safe Communities Central Alberta.
• Started a "Think Recycle" Program in LTCHS and community by teaming up with local businesses which helps recycle unusual items.
• Recipient of the Violet Richardson Award: recognition program for young women ages 14-17 engaged in volunteer action within their communities or schools.
Her more global focus has drawn her to be a student chair for Project Kenya through “A Better World”,
a program organized to build a school in the village of Male, Kenya.

 

 

 

1969 M.M. (Mel) Cunningham
1970 Doris Jewell
1971 E.L. (Ted) Meers
1972 Margaret Parsons

1973 Albert J. (Bert) Amer
1974 Ed Barrett
1975 Hugh Bower
1976 Frank Connell
1977 Ethel Taylor
1978 Molly Banister
1979 Dennis Moffat
1980 Pat & Edna Smith
1981 Dorothy Erickson
1982 Morris Flewwelling
1983 Lilian Scott
1984 Ron Dale
1985 Jerry Tennant
1986 Margaret Dymianiw
1987 Hawton HIcks
1988 Mary Lawrence
1989 Gordon Towers
1990 Harold Dawe
1991 Irving Kurz
1992 Hazel Flewwelling
1993 Don Campbell
2002 Jack Donald
2003 Don Hepburn
2004 Joan Donald
2005 Donald Laubman
2006 John (Jack) Cuthbertson
2007 Bryan Wilson
2008 Bill Olafson
2009 Lynn Radford
2010 Phil Neufeld
2011 Kathy Lacey
2012 Jim McPherson
2013 John Johnston
2014 Michael Dawe