The 1999 recipients of the Order of Prince Edward Island were announced today by the Chancellor of the Order, the Honourable Gilbert R. Clements, Lieutenant Governor and Ms. Leone Bagnall, Chair of the Order of Prince Edward Island Advisory Council.
The three Islanders selected to receive the honour are: Ms. Edith Eldershaw, Tignish; Dr. Hubert "Sock" O'Hanley, Charlottetown; and Mr. Paul H. Schurman, Summerside.
The honour was conferred for the first time in 1996 at which time six individuals were invested in the Order of Prince Edward Island as follows: Rev. Charles Cheverie, O.P.E.I.; Dr. George Dewar, C.M., O.P.E.I.; Dr. Kent Ellis, O.P.E.I.; James Hogan, O.P.E.I.; Ulric Poirier, O.P.E.I. and Hon. Marion Reid, C.M., O.P.E.I.
In 1997, the following Islanders were invested: Sister Mary Deighan, O.P.E.I., Summerside; Helen Stewart MacRae, O.P.E.I., Charlottetown; and Charles Linkletter, C.M., O.P.E.I., Summerside.
In 1998, the following Islanders were invested: Marlene Bryenton, Charlottetown; Marie Burge, Charlottetown; and Antoine Richard, Mont-Carmel.
The honour is awarded as a means of recognizing those Islanders who have shown individual excellence or outstanding leadership in their community and in their chosen occupation or profession. It is the highest honour that can be accorded a citizen of the Province and is awarded annually following a public nomination process. Recipients are selected by an independent nine person advisory Council.
Thirty one (31) individuals were nominated to receive the award this year.
Insignia of the Order will be presented by His Honour the Lieutenant Governor at a special investiture ceremony at Government House, Charlottetown in September.