Port Hardy senior Rosaline Glynn was honoured with the King Charles III Coronation medal on Friday, Feb. 28 at the Kwa'lilas Hotel inside of a banquet room filled with all of her friends and family.
The federal NDP stated in a news release that Glynn is known as a hard-working seniors wellness advocate who has lived in Port Hardy for well over 40 years. She and her co-volunteers are interested in keeping the sense of community among the group to help eliminate social isolation and make sure the “seniors’ voice" is heard. She has been recognized by all levels of government for her work including chair of the award-winning Hardy Bay Senior Citizens' Society where, for example, she spearheaded the Seniors’ Centre food delivery program to isolated seniors during the pandemic and as the Senior Hero of the Year in 2018. She received unanimous support from the Port Hardy municipality in being nominated for the Order of British Columbia in 2021. This year she was awarded Senior Volunteer of the Year by the District of Port Hardy. She has donated endless hours to the seniors’ center - she is the co-chair of the Seniors Elders Better Living Advisory Committee and the Community Response Network, a Director for the Mount Waddington Health Network and also the North Island Seniors Housing Foundation. Glynn had previously served the community as a director of the Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce. She is one of the founding members of the Red Hat Divas, worked as a Returning Officer for Elections Canada for 27 years and a former member of the Communities in Bloom Committee, Emergency Social Services, Toastmasters and the Museum Collection Committee. Glynn also now serves as a director at large for the Port Hardy Heritage Society.
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney was in attendance at the ceremony to award Glynn her medal, noting she wanted to do the honours of acknowledging her for all of the significant contributions she's made to the community over her many years of service.
"What I know about the North Island-Powell River riding is that we are people who care about one another," said Blaney. She then stated that when things get tough "we may argue a bit but we always come back to how can we support one another, and what can we do to make sure that our collective needs are met. And I think Rosaline really represents that in this region, for sure."
Blaney stated what the medal recipients across this region all have in common is they "demonstrate passion, kindness, compassion and shared learning. They really bring people together. We've seen Rosaline in the media. We've seen her everywhere in our community. We know she does that work."
"And after our extensive review, we are really honoured that Rosaline is going to be the one that we recognize," Blaney added. "She stood out especially during these challenging times when it's so important that we come together and help one another ... and I just want to say thank you to her."
Port Hardy mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt was also at the event to speak about Glynn, stating on behalf of the District of Port Hardy, her fellow councillors, and the citizens of Port Hardy, "I'm absolutely honoured to extend heartfelt congratulations to Rosaline Glynn on being awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Award. Congratulations, Rosaline. This award is so well deserved, and it's a testament to Rosaline's unwavering commitment to the Port Hardy community and the community beyond Port Hardy."
Corbett-Labatt noted Glynn's leadership, dedication, and passion for community service has made a profound impact, particularly in supporting and empowering seniors.
"As a long-standing member of the Hardy-based New Citizens Society, as Vice-Chair, and as the Chair for nine years, she's worked tirelessly to improve the well-being of the countless individuals that are in our community. Her efforts in fostering inclusivity, collaboration and community building have created lasting, positive change. But through her vision and her dedication, she has strengthened community connections and enhanced the quality of life for many, particularly during the challenging times with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you. Your dedication, your leadership, and your compassion continue to inspire us all. Congratulations on this incredible achievement. Your impact has been felt not just in Port Hardy, but throughout the province and beyond. We're proud to be here to celebrate this moment."
Jackie Hildering was also awarded the King Charles III Coronation medal during a private ceremony with Blaney.
The federal NDP noted in a news release that Hildering is based out of Port McNeill, living and learning in the territories of the Kwakwala-speaking peoples. She has served as an exemplary and inspiring ambassador for the importance of the ocean and undertaking action for the good of future generations. She returned to British Columbia after teaching in the Netherlands, wanting to find a more effective way to enable people to know their connection to the ocean. Her greatest aim is to educate about the importance of the life hidden in the plankton-rich waters off our coast - that it is in the cold ocean that there is greater biodiversity and productivity than in the warm ocean. She does this as “The Marine Detective” - educator, cold-water diver, underwater photographer – and as a co-founder of the Marine Education and Research Society. She is a Humpback Whale Researcher with MERS and their Education and Communications Director. She and the team embody the dedication of applying what they learn as scientists to education and to speak for the importance of the ocean and how to reduce threats to marine life. Hildering's work has been prominently highlighted in various publications and documentaries produced by reputable outlets such as the BBC and PBS.
