Community Members from Northumberland-Peterborough South Presented King Charles III Coronation Medal

Pete Fisher
6 hours ago
• Categories: Local, Photo Gallery

Twenty-one people from Northumberland-Peterborough South were presented with the King Charles III coronation medal on Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Cobourg.

Presentations were made by MP Philip Lawrence at the Columbus Community Centre.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation.

Recipients of the medal are those who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region of, or community in, Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

Councilor Randy Barber is a dedicated community volunteer and has represented Cobourg on town council for several years. He helped lead the effort to restore St.Peter’s Church and in addition to being a member of the Cobourg Rotary Club, he has served as Vice-President of the Cobourg District Historical Society.

Danielle Barnes is head of an organization called Quilts for Valour which provides comfort to veterans of our armed forces. As a military veteran and spouse, she continues to serve military families post-retirement. Through her roles with Quilts of Valour, Trenton Museum, and the Royal Canadian Legion, Danielle contributes over a thousand hours annually. Her leadership ensures injured Canadian Armed Forces members receive comfort and recognition through handcrafted quilts, while her work in local organizations preserves military heritage.

Jane Black is a dedicated community volunteer in the town of Newcastle. When there is a community event in Newcastle, you can bet Jane is behind it. She exemplifies the kind of quiet unrecognized service to local communities that this medal is all about.

Eric Childs is also a community volunteer in the town of Roseneathe and helps to recognize the Carousel at the Roseneathe Fair. The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies has recognized Eric with its accomplishment award for all of his volunteering in rural areas and we are happy to recognize Eric tonight with this award.

Peter Dounoukos has been President of two Rotary Clubs – and was President of the Rotary Club of Cobourg when King Charles was crowned. Sitting on such boards as the Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre and Rebound Youth Services, Peter is a dedicated volunteer to the town of Cobourg.

Nicholas Dunham received multiple nominations from constituents in this riding. According to one of his nominators, he “exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated firefighter, a supportive husband, and a devoted father. His impact extends far beyond our department; as an Acting Captain with Whitby Fire and Emergency Services and a Lead Instructor with the Loyalist College Pre-Service Fire Program, Nick continues to shape the future of our profession. Additionally, his service to our country as an instructor with the Canadian Army Cadets Program further underscores his commitment to the greater good.”

John Finlay is an agricultural consultant has been a member of multiple Agricultural Societies including Orono and Campbellford. John’s volunteering comes from his passion for agriculture after having studied at the University of Guelph. John represents many of the rural volunteers who help promote farmers and farming all across this riding.

James Gordon Gilchrist, M.P. was elected an elected MP from 1979 to 1983, entering Parliament after a very successful career in business. He also is a community volunteer having founded the Peterborough Army Cadet Corps after being a cadet himself in his younger days.

Johanna Hill is Vice President of Coventry Relief Kitchen in Colborne. A former school bus driver and PSW, Johanna felt called by God to start a soup kitchen in the basement of the local Pentecostal Church in Cramahe after the town’s grocery store burnt down in a devastating fire. This kitchen has met the needs of so many in that community and we are proud to help honour her commitment tonight.

William Hubbs is a dedicated community volunteer. After a long career in the Port Hope Hydro Electric Commission, William has served in to many community organizations to count. But his work for the Canadian Cancer society, the Salvation Army, and the Port Hope non-profit housing cooperation is honoured tonight as well as all the other work he has done for Port Hope and this entire area.

Kirk Kemp is President of Algoma Orchards and has been recognized by the provincial government for his innovation and excellence in industry. Serving on the Newcastle Lions Club and as a member of the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, Kirk has helped raise money and give back to his community.

Craig Kerr was instrumental in the development of the Brighton Health Services Centre where residents are able to access care from health care professionals. He was also influential in the creation of the Masonic Legacy Grant which distributes funds to local graduating students, reducing financial barriers and allowing them to achieve their full potential. Craig has also donated his time to the Bridge Hospice focusing on fundraising to help cover the cost of individuals receiving care.

Gudrun Ludorf-Weaver helped develop the NGO, ‘Sustainable Cobourg’ and is currently its president. She has also given talks and seminars on ‘Sustainability 101’ to the Town of Cobourg at the request of its Planning and Sustainability Advisory committee, as well as for The Ontario Association for Committees of Adjustment. She was honoured to receive the Town of Cobourg’s Civic Award. She is a firm believer that the environment and its health should be a primary concern for all that inhabit it, and that as stewards of this country and planet we need to support measures that protect it.

Constable Justin.B.Nelson is a Captain in the Cadet Instructor Cadre of the CAF. He mentors and inspires youth leaders. He leads his units in community initiatives including charity work, coordinating volunteers, and food drives. Justin is also a Provincial Constable with the OPP. He builds relationships and has promoted anti-bullying campaigns at local schools. He also assisted with Cops for Cancer. He has been a strong community advocate for most of his life and brings credit to his community and country.

The Hon Beverley Oda, P.C., M.P. or Bev as she is known to her friends, served as Member of Parliament from 2004-2012. This followed a long career in broadcasting in which she worked at several broadcasting networks as well as the CRTC. In her time in government, she joined the Privy Council and served in two cabinet portfolios for then Prime Minister Harper.

Susan Pascoe serves as program director at the Clarington East Food Bank. She helped establish a ‘shopping model’ at the Food Bank which made guests feel more comfortable when they visited. Susan has given her time and energy to helping the vulnerable and needy in our communities and deserves our recognition this evening.

Shelly Rivers is a dedicated volunteer in the town of Orono. Whether it is parades or Remembrance Day Ceremonies or anything in between, Shelly gives her time and energies to her home town and is a well-loved member of the community.

Dr.Robert Scott is a distinguished medical professional and Rotarian from Cobourg. After practicing in Canada as a GP for over 25 years and as a coroner for several more, Dr.Scott retired retired from local practice in 2000. But he was far from done. Awarded with many honours, and now recognized internationally by the United Nations as an “outstanding leader” in polio eradication, Dr.Scott is a Cobourg institution. A husband, father, and grandfather, he is well known and loved in this community.

Kenneth Ross Stevenson, M.P., M.P.P. started out his great career as a farmer before going on to be professor at the University of Guelph. In 1981 he was elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament and would be Minister of Agriculture by 1985. In 1988 he was elected to Federal Parliament and would serve there for five years. After his political career, he would return to academic working at UOIT and Durham College.

Virginia Tetz has been a dedicated community volunteer in Cobourg and has served as a member of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Auxiliary. Virginia and many people like her provide the critical volunteer support which makes our healthcare system strong.

June Vaters owns and operates a Service Canada in Brighton. Being dedicated to our community, June took the extra effort to work her local Health Unit to ensure she could open her office to the public safely during the dark days of COVID lockdowns. With many branches closed, June served countless residents from surrounding counties and provided a sense of normalcy as well as the services that they so desperately needed.