Cambridge’s “Mr. Hespeler” Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

Long-time Cambridge resident and local cultural heritage conservationist Lary Turner was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in a ceremony at Toronto’s Queen’s Park on Feb. 23, 2018.

Known as “Mr. Hespeler,” Lawrence (Lary) Turner has significantly contributed to the conservation of the former Town of Hespeler’s cultural heritage for over 50 years.

The prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Trust Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes exceptional contributions to heritage conservation, environmental sustainability and biodiversity, and cultural and natural heritage. As one of four recipients of this year’s award, Turner is being recognized provincially for his conservation efforts.

“Lary Turner is one of those volunteers who make possible much of the great heritage preservation work we see across the Region. Without people like Lary, our knowledge of and experience with the past would be much less and our collective history less fulsome,” said Regional Chair Ken Seiling. “Regional Council and staff recognized the important role Lary has played by nominating him for this award, and we are pleased the Ontario Heritage Trust has recognized his contributions.”

Over the past five decades, Turner has been instrumental in the organization and promotion of a number of events showcasing the unique history and character of Hespeler including: The Hespeler Reunion (for three decades); A Day and A Night Festival; author and leader of Jane’s Walks; a number of local walking tours; Forbes Park Music Festival (Chair); and Music & Lights In the Village/Christmas in Cambridge.

Throughout the years Lary has been recognized with numerous awards for his conservation and volunteer work and has played an integral role in founding the Hespeler Heritage Centre, an organization devoted to the promotion and preservation of history and community.

Some of Turner’s notable awards include:

• The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Governor General of Canada (2012);  
• Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, for dedicated humanitarian services, Lions Clubs International (2013);
• Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Cambridge North Rotary Club (2011); and,
• Bernice Adams Special Trustees Award, City of Cambridge/Bernice Adams Awards Committee (2012).

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For more information please contact:

Kate Hagerman KHagerman@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-575-4094