A philanthropic doctor, a former judge and a dedicated firefighter stood among 38 people from Kamloops and region who received a Diamond Jubilee Medal on Wednesday night.
Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod and Sen. Nancy Greene Raine presented the medals during a ceremony in the Barber Centre at Thompson Rivers University.
Counted among the recipients is Gur Singh, who established the first neurosurgical unit in the Interior. Singh also raises money for the Kamloops Brain Injury Association through the annual Gur Singh Invitational Golf Tournament.
Former judge Terry Shupe was recognized as a founding chairman of Western Canada Theatre Company along with endeavors that include travelling to countries in crisis, mentoring judges and building and donating wooden toys for Christmas Amalgamated.
Firefighter David Sakaki's tireless efforts to help the less fortunate were also rewarded. Sakaki was instrumental in founding the Kamloops Firefighters' Project Africa and Project Nicaragua.
The Diamond Jubilee Medal was created in honour of the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. It recognizes Canadians from all walks of life that have made significant contributions to Canada or whose achievements abroad have brought credit to Canada.
The full list of local Diamond Jubilee Medal recipients: Roger Barnsley, Donald Niel Cameron, Ambo Dhaliwal, Trudy Marie Frisk, Gordon Gore, Betty Inouye, Lisa Landy, Louise Malahoff, Sherry Elizabeth Maligaspe, John Richard McMaster, Anne Munro, Andrew Philpot, David Sakaki, Terry Shupe, Gur Singh, Glen Wideman, Kent Wong, Harry Wright, Tina Donald, Geordie Salle, Manne Salle, Carman Smith, Dalton Strong, Jill Hayward, Dick Taylor, Robin Fennell, Rita Welsh, Donald Turtiak, Muriel Irene Dunford, Pauline Gregory, Patrick Corbett, Henry Pejril, Nathan Mathew, Brent Rutherford, Keith Moore, Jean Nelson, Mary Jules, Sandy Foster, and John Hatchett.
