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Medal of Good Citizenship Recipients

John Phare, a tree faller from Roberts Creek, was posthumously honoured with the medal in fall 2015 after he was killed while fighting the Old Sechelt Mine fire that July: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2015PREM0070-001660

Joan LeMoine, a well-known Parksville citizen and community ambassador, was honoured with the medal for her contribution to many Parksville organizations and events: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0003-000496

Judith Armstrong and Nick Marsden, two Victoria citizens, were honoured with the medal for their decades of dedication to British Columbians with developmental disabilities: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0004-000520

Patricia Housty, a Bella Bella citizen, was honoured for being a generous volunteer, role model and community caretaker within the Heiltsuk First Nation. Housty is the first Aboriginal person to receive the medal: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0005-000582

Dave Homberg, an Abbotsford resident, was honoured for his ongoing volunteer and philanthropic contributions to the city and in particular for his efforts around the building of the first free-standing hospice facility in Abbotsford: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0006-000689

Lita Salanski was posthumously honoured with the medal to recognize the impact she had on Grasmere, its ranching and farming community, educational infrastructure and spiritual foundation: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0008-000752

Kamal Dhillon, who was honoured for her courage to transcend her suffering from domestic violence, brings a powerful message to the public about domestic violence and offers hope to other victims. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0009-000791

Dave Dickson was honoured for his wide-ranging volunteer contributions made in the Williams Lake and Chilcotin Cariboo region, many of which have helped to make the community safer, reduced crime, and ensured those who are in need or vulnerable are taken care of: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0010-000793

Bud Abbott, a Cranbrook citizen, was honoured for his contributions and countless volunteer hours to the Rotary, Canadian Mental Health Association, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army and the Cranbrook Community Theatre: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0013-000856

Richard Bergen was honoured for his service to the community of Forest Grove and his countless hours of volunteerism: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0011-000845

John Simpson was honoured for his dedication to helping people with acquired brain injuries (ABI) and for devoting more than three decades and thousands of hours of service to this cause: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0012-000847

Dylan Van Rooyen was honoured for the inspirational leadership he demonstrated in his involvement with many organizations and events centred on helping Surrey youth and families: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0014-000857

Trudie BonBernard, who was honoured for her service to community and countless hours of volunteering, has helped to promote and significantly expand the service provided by the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program to Kamloops residents facing a variety of challenges: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0015-000905

Clayton Cassidy was honoured for his extensive community leadership and his dedicated service helping Cache Creek residents stay safe and return to their homes following the devastating flood in May 2015: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0017-001066

John Scott was honoured for his wide-ranging and selfless contributions to the community of Prince George, enriching the lives of youth, comforting those through illness and trauma, focusing well-deserved attention on the sacrifices veterans have made for Canada: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0018-001097

Troy Becker, a resident of West Kelowna, was honoured for contributions to making his community a safer place and helping to create life-enhancing opportunities that build confidence for people with disabilities: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016PREM0076-001201

Marion Sallenbach, a resident of Winfield, was honoured for her many years of volunteerism within the community. Her selfless actions have had a tremendous impact on countless families in the Okanagan: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016PREM0076-001201

Ray Abernethy who was honoured for his dedication to helping women in transition, single moms and dads on income assistance, new immigrant families, refugees, fire victims, seniors and others in Burnaby by providing basic household necessities to relieve the cost of establishing and maintaining a comfortable home: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0020-001279

Marilyn Rushton who was honoured with the medal for her inspirational life of service to the visually impaired community, her contributions to families with blind and visually impaired children, and her energetic support for the musical community: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0025-001407

Abbe Gates who was honoured with the medal for spearheading initiatives aimed at improving life experiences and inclusion for children, teens and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016IGR0024-001402