Twenty-two deserving Islanders were recognized with Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Medal during a ceremony at Government House today, said Honourable Premier Robert Ghiz.
“Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Medal is an opportunity for Canadians to honour persons within their communities for their great achievements and contributions to our country,” said Premier Ghiz. “Today’s recipients now belong to a group of 60,000 deserving Canadians who will be recognized throughout the 2012 year with a Diamond Jubilee Medal.”
Hundreds of Islanders will be recognized throughout the year with the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Today’s recipients were nominated personally by Premier Ghiz. Of the 22 recipients, three are Past Premiers of Prince Edward Island, one is Prince Edward Island’s current Chief Justice and 18 are Past Presidents of Women’s Institute of P.E.I.
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal that was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada.
“It is my honour to host a special ceremony to present Diamond Jubilee Medals to these worthy recipients, each of whom has individual achievements through service and also represent the richness of our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Frank Lewis. “On behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who is respected and admired for her life of service, I congratulate all of today’s recipients on receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal. We can all be proud of what the recipients have given and achieved.”
For more information about Diamond Jubilee celebrations taking place across Prince Edward Island throughout 2012, visit gov.pe.ca/diamondjubilee.
Backgrounder
Today’s Diamond Jubilee Recipients:
• Past Premiers of Prince Edward Island: James Lee, Keith Milligan and Patrick Binns
• Past Presidents of Women’s Institute of P.E.I.: Roma Campbell, Inez Dixon, Mary MacLean, Hazel Graham, Doreen MacInnis, Joyce MacKenzie, Geneva King, Kay Crabbe, Betty Watts, Helen Nicholson, Joan Dawson, Elizabeth Millar, Reta MacDonald, Iva Mutch, Margie Stewart, Marie Kenny, Carol MacLellan and Doreen Cole
• Chief Justice: David Jenkins
Description of the medal:
The medal has on the obverse a crowned image of the Sovereign, in whose name the medal is bestowed. The reverse marks the sixtieth, or diamond, anniversary of the accession to the Throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The anniversary is expressed by the central diamond shape, by the background composed of a pattern of diamonds, and by the two dates. The Royal Cypher consists of the Royal Crown above the letters EIIR (i.e., Elizabeth II Regina, the latter word meaning Queen in Latin). The maple leaves refer to Canada, while the motto VIVAT REGINA means “Long live The Queen!” The ribbon uses a new arrangement of the blue, red and white colours found in the 1953 Coronation Medal, the 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, and the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal.