Another group of outstanding Islanders were recognized with Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Medal during a ceremony at Government House this afternoon, said Honourable Premier Robert Ghiz.
“Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Medal gives us an opportunity to honour deserving members of our communities who have gone above and beyond to give back to their country,” said Premier Ghiz. “What makes today’s ceremony unique is that all of the award recipients were nominated by their friends or family.”
Hundreds of Islanders will be recognized throughout the year with the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Today’s recipients include a hockey coach, dance teacher, doctor, firefighters, past presidents of the Royal Canadian Legion, and many other worthy Islanders.
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.
“The Diamond Jubilee medal provides us with wonderful opportunities to celebrate Prince Edward Islanders who have made a significant contribution to our country and our community,” said Lieutenant Governor Frank Lewis. “Since the first presentations on February 6, I have been honoured, on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to present medals to a cross-section of people who are making a difference for others through their caring, talent and excellence that pervades our province.”
For more information about Diamond Jubilee celebrations taking place across Prince Edward Island throughout 2012, visit gov.pe.ca/diamondjubilee.
BACKGROUNDER
Medal description:
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.
Award recipients:
Paul Arsenault
Carolyn Bateman
Fred Beairsto
Garnet Buell
Shirley Burke
Lieutenant-Commander Allan Callard retired
Najmul Chishti
His Worship Gordon Coffin
Alan Curtis
Leo Doyle
Eugene “Dookie” Field
Lieutenant-Commander Cindy Galt
Lee Gill
Diane Griffin
John Henderson
Graham Jones
Winston Judson
Waldron Leard
Douglas MacDougall
James MacAulay
Morgan McGaughey
Karen McInnis
Lieutenant Kendra Mellish
Lieutenant-Commander Owen Parkhouse Retired
James Ross
Ann Sherman
Don Webster
Richard Wedge
Susan Willis