The Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association has presented a $4,000 cheque — proceeds from its annual dinner and fundraiser — to the Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre.
The association had allocated another $4,000 from its budget to the Omega Pacific Hatchery project.
The Charters River facility in Sooke is a demonstration hatchery with a focus on education and habitat restoration. The Omega Pacific Hatchery project is a unique private hatchery located on Great Central Lake near Port Alberni.
For more information, go to vfgpa.org.
Talk series explores Métis history
Learn more about Victoria’s early history at The Métis Among Us, a talk by a descendant of the chief trader of Victoria, March 26 at the Log Cabin Museum.
The presentation is part of the Talk and Tea series hosted by the Saanich Pioneer Society.
The speaker is Fern Perkins, who is descended from Charles Ross, chief trader of Fort Victoria, and his wife, Isabella. She is also a professional educator and historian who teaches Métis history in local schools. She will be assisted in her presentation by her husband, Mark.
Admission is $5 for members, $7.50 for non-members and includes tea following the presentation. The event starts at 2 p.m., March 26 at the Log Cabin Museum, 7910 Polo Park Cres., Saanichton (one and a half blocks north of the Prairie Inn).
For more information, go to saanichpioneersociety.com.
David Foster Foundation looking for memories
Have you or your family been helped by the David Foster Foundation in the past 30 years?
This year marks the 30th anniversary for the foundation, which supports the non-medical expenses of families with children undergoing life-saving pediatric organ transplants and promotes the importance of organ-donor registration.
Since its inception, the foundation has assisted more than 1,000 families throughout Canada.
They are looking to hear from families who received support from the foundation.
People can fill out the “Where are you now?” questionnaire, available for download from the website or email a story to mystory @davidfosterfoundation.com. For more information, go to davidfosterfoundation.com.
Students write about meaning of home
Two students from Victoria have received top honours in Genworth Canada’s 10th annual Meaning of Home contest, in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada.
Students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 across Canada were asked: What is the Meaning of Home? The contest generated 10,000 entries.
The first place prize was awarded to Bensen Wilmer, who has chosen Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit to be the beneficiary of a $50,000 grant to help make a difference in Indigenous communities.
Eleven-year-old Samara Dolinksy was one of 10 second-place winners of the contest. She will be awarded $5,000 to help families in need of safe, decent housing to build homes in British Columbia.
“It’s extremely rewarding to see the record number of students from coast to coast who participated in our 10th anniversary of the Meaning of Home contest,” said Stuart Levings, president and CEO, Genworth Canada. “We are proud of this campaign which has helped to increase awareness about the need for affordable home ownership in Canada.”
All entries can be viewed at meaningofhome.ca.
Citizenship medal for Victoria’s Lawless
Peter Lawless of Victoria was recently awarded the province’s newest honour, the Medal of Good Citizenship, at a ceremony in the Hall of Honour at the legislature.
Shirley Bond, minister of jobs, tourism and skills training and minister responsible for labour, conferred the honour on behalf of Premier Christy Clark.
Launched in July 2015, the medal recognizes individuals who, through exceptional long-term service, have made outstanding contributions to their communities without expectation of remuneration or reward.
Lawless was honoured with the medal for being a passionate advocate for sport as a means to transform communities.
“The Medal of Good Citizenship recognizes the people in our province who generously and selflessly volunteer their time, effort and skills to make their community better,” said Bond. “It was inspiring to work with the selection committee to review nominations and see how one person can make a difference. This year, as we celebrate Canada s 150th anniversary, it is important to recognize individuals who make their communities and, ultimately, their country better.”
Nominations for the Medal of Good Citizenship are accepted year-round. All regions in the province are represented on the selection committee, and members came from various professional backgrounds.
To learn more about the medal, or to nominate a good citizen in your community, go to gov.bc.ca/medalofgoodcitizenship.
Michael Dunahee event marks 26 years
Attend a mass on Friday or join in a fun run on Sunday, March 26, to remember the disappearance of Michael Dunahee 26 years ago.
Dunahee was four when he disappeared from the playground at Blanshard Elementary School on March 24, 1991.
His disappearance spawned one of the largest police investigations in Canadian history. To date, police have received more than 11,000 tips.
A mass for Dunahee and his family will be said at noon on Friday at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 849 Old Esquimalt Rd.
Michael Dunahee Keep the Hope Alive is a five-kilometre fun run to raise money for Child Find B.C. It will start at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 26 from the Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser St.
In British Columbia in 2015, more than 7,500 cases of missing children were reported to police.
For more information, go to childfindbc.com or call 250-382-7311.
Social workers praise longtime colleague
Local social workers gathered last week to celebrate B.C. Social Work Week and to honour a colleague for her distinguished service to the profession.
Pam Miller, former director and professor of the University of Victoria’s School of Social Work, will receive the Canadian Association of Social Workers’ Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to the profession.
“Dr. Miller has served the profession of social work in Alberta and British Columbia over many decades,” said Michael Crawford, B.C. president of the association of social workers. “Her career has been one of exemplary service to social workers, students, families and communities.”
Miller was professor and also served as the director of the School of Social Work at the University of Victoria, where she retired in 2016.
For more information, go to casw-acts.ca or bcasw.org.
Recycle for a good cause
Drop off your returnables and go home with new-to-you goods this Saturday at St. Matthias Anglican Church.
On the fourth Saturday of every month — March 25 this month — the Threshold Housing Society collects bottles and other returnables, with volunteers on hand to help you unload.
Not only are you helping the planet, your empties also help prevent youth (ages 16 to 22) from ending up on the street.
The society provides support and housing to young people who are trying to avoid being homeless, through supportive housing and life-skills programs.
In a survey last year of the homeless in Victoria, 40 per cent reported they became homeless at age 18 or younger. To solve the problem of homelessness, we must provide services for youth.
The St. Matthias Recycling Sale, which includes books, sheet music, CDs, linens, furniture, toys, china, glass and more, takes place at the same time. It’s a great way to get a good deal on something you want, need or just love.
The event runs 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the church, 600 Richmond Rd. (off Richardson).
For more information, go to thresholdhousing.ca.
Singers aid music therapy at hospital
The Peninsula Singers have donated $3,000 to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation’s Music Therapy Program.
The group is a major sponsor of the program, as it relates to the singers’ mission about the magic and healing that music provides.
“Music therapy is a powerful tool. It brings joy to so many in a care setting, but it can do so much more. It can help stroke patients who have lost the ability to talk express themselves, it can reconnect Alzheimer’s patients with the reality they left behind and it can help dying patients resolve long-standing issues and find peace,” said Karen Morgan, executive director of the foundation. “The Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation is immensely grateful for the work of the Peninsula Singers, who help our patients and residents in so many important ways.”
The donation was proceeds from the group’s annual Christmas concert series. To date, the singers have donated more than $42,000 to the program.
A donation of $600 also benefited the Sidney Food Bank.
For more information, go to peninsulasingers.ca.
Collector’s paintings are showcased
See original works of art collected by Duncan nonagenarian Ray Woollam as the Olde Ray’s Collection show continues until the end of March at Excellent Frameworks Gallery in Duncan.
The gallery is showcasing original works from the private collection of Woollam. Artists from his collection include Jack Wise, Arnold Burrell, Matt DiCastri, Christel Tompa, Will Julsing, David Woollam, Will Millar, J.C. Roy and Miles Dobson.
The exhibition runs until March 31 at the gallery, 28 Station St., Duncan. For more information, go to excellentframeworks.ca.
Claremont student picked for prestigious scholarship
Greater Victoria high-school student Ford Smith’s character, service and leadership attributes were some of the reasons he was awarded a coveted Loran scholarship — a four-year undergraduate award valued at $100,000, with funding for summer internships and participation in a network of past and present scholars.
The Claremont Secondary School student is one of 33 Loran Scholars selected from more than 4,400 applicants from across the country. The foundation is a national charity that has partnered with 25 universities — including the University of Victoria — to recognize young people headed for post-secondary education.
Loran refers to Long-Range Aid to Navigation, an acronym for a marine navigation system that is used to emphasize the lifelong impact of receiving a scholarship.
Smith is a volunteer with Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, a volunteer with the Mount Washington ski patrol and a member of Venturer Scouts. He referees soccer and spent last summer working for the B.C. Cancer Agency.
For more information, go to loranscholar.ca.
