Two people from north central B.C. are among the 36 British Columbians to earn this year's B.C. Community Achievement Awards.
Long-time Vanderhoof volunteer John Murphy and long-time Quesnel councillor Peter Couldwell received their awards April 20 during a ceremony at Government House in Victoria.
Known for his knowledge, skills and enthusiasm, Murphy has been an active community volunteer for as long as Vanderhoof residents can remember.
He is a 15-year volunteer firefighter, a community and recreation fund raiser who led the effort to build a much-needed 33 unit seniors' residence and activity centre.
Couldwell has been a Quesnel city council member for more than 20 years.
He has also personally helped to raise close to $3 million as a volunteer auctioneer for scores of events and organizations, including local charities, the Quesnel Community Foundation and the Hospice Palliative Care Association.
Lieutenant Governor Steven Point and Deputy Premier Kevin Falcon presented each recipient with a medallion and certificate on behalf of the B.C. Achievement Foundation, established and endowed by the provincial government to celebrate excellence in the arts, humanities, enterprise and community service.
Launched in 2003, the awards were the first initiative of the foundation followed by the B.C. Creative Achievement Award for Applied Art and Design, B.C.'s National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, the B.C. Creative Achievement Award for First Nations' Art, and the B.C. Aboriginal Business Awards.
