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Diamond Jubilee medals awarded Miranda Scotland Northern News Services Published Wednesday, July 4, 2012 The medals were handed out in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. Sixty-thousand Canadians who have made outstanding contributions in their community, area, or the country at large, are set to receive jubilee medals this year.
"I feel very excited," said medal recipient Pooja Chugh. "I've played a lot of sports and because of that I've kind of expected medals and different kinds of recognition because I competed for it. But something like this I really never expected, I never imagined that would happen."
The 18-year-old was nominated for her work in the community. Chugh volunteers with the NWT Disability Council, the Multiple Sclerosis Student Group and Stanton Territorial Hospital.
"I love (volunteering), it's very nice to meet all kinds of different people and I find it's a lot of fun," she said.
This summer Chugh is working with doctors at the University of Alberta looking for a cure for multiple sclerosis. Chugh said the endeavor is very close to her heart.
"My mother passed away a few years ago from multiple sclerosis," Chugh said, adding she was just 15 years old at the time.
Chugh received the jubilee medal alongside NWT Pipe Band member Floyd Adlem; Helen Balanoff, executive director of the NWT literacy council; former city councilor Kevin O'Reilly; Stephen Clark, co-ordinator of the NWT Mining Heritage Society; Donald Finnamore, president of the Yellowknife Lions Club; 14-year-old philanthropist Cole Philipp; journalist Lee Selleck, Trans-Canada Trail supporter Julian Tomlinson and community volunteer Joy Watt.
The medals were presented by Premier Bob McLeod, commissioner George Tuccaro and a number of city councillors.
Philipp was the youngest of the award recipients honoured at the ceremony. Two years ago, Philipp created a website to raise money for orphanages in Mazatlan, Mexico. He has collected $33,285 and plans to continue raising funds.
"(This award) means a lot. It's kind of hard to put into words because it's a very big honour to be here. I'm very grateful," he said.
"I will be continuing the work. School is now a very big thing because I'm getting into high school and it's just getting a lot harder but I will definitely continue to do the work."
O'Reilly said he was also very honoured to be presented with the award.
O'Reilly was nominated for his commitment to the environment. The former city councillor has worked to protect the health and safety of Northerners through his role as lead intervenor in the Giant Mine Remediation Plan.
He was also recognized for his work as a board member of Mining Watch Canada and a member of the social justice coalition Alternatives North.
"It's nice to get recognition for the work that you've done and humbling that people in the community recognize the work that I've been doing," O'Reilly said. "I'm very, very pleased and happy."
Eighty-one-year-old Watt received her award for her volunteer work with Stanton Territorial Hospital, the NWT SPCA, Yellowknife 75th anniversary celebrations and the Heart and Stroke foundation.
"I'm quite pleased about it," Watt said, about receiving the award.
"But there are a lot of other people out there that do a lot of volunteering so you know I'd like to see people coming up and coming forward and nominating them. There is still time to nominate good volunteers and I'm very grateful to who did nominate me."
Other Yellowknife medal recipients this year include Gail Cyr, the late Bishop John Sperry, Esther Braden and Tony Whitford.
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