Waterloo Region - The Region honoured a number of volunteers at Regional Council tonight.

“Volunteers are at the heart of this great community and it is important that we pause to recognize all that they do”, said Regional Chair Ken Seiling.

Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement

Lary Turner, a long-time resident of Cambridge, has contributed significantly to the conservation of Hespeler’s cultural heritage for over 40 years. Locally, he is known as “Mr. Hespeler,” having acquired an expert knowledge of the area through years of community involvement. Lary played an integral role in founding the Hespeler Heritage Center, an organization devoted to the promotion and preservation of history and community. He has been an active member of the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation and currently serves as one of the Foundation’s Elected Directors.

Young Heritage Leaders Awards (Group)

Since 2000, teachers and students at Bluevale Collegiate Institute have volunteered at the Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festival. Each year a group of enthusiastic volunteers spend a great deal of time and effort preparing for and animating 50 hands-on, interactive learning centres. 

The Groundwater Festival aims to educate more than 5,000 students in grades two to five about the importance of water in their daily lives by delivering several key messages: use water wisely, protect your water, examine the relationship between water and technology and celebrate the role of water in our ecosystem.

Ontario Senior of the Year

Ruth Hicks’ many volunteer contributions to Waterloo Region Museum and Schneider Haus have enhanced our visitors’ experiences. Ruth, a retired nurse, has been a dedicated volunteer for over 23 years and has donated over 2,800 hours of her time.

Ruth’s passion for gardening has been put to good use in the heritage gardens at Doon Heritage Village. During the summer months, you will find Ruth in period costume, tending to the plants on our 60 acre property. She has also been active in programs like Day in the Life, Lantern Tours and Starry Night.

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For more information, please contact:

Bryan Stortz, Director of Communications, 519-575-4408