Prince George’s Shirley Gratton is one of 18 people from across B.C. who will be receiving the province’s Medal of Good Citizenship for their outstanding service and commitment to helping others in their communities.
Launched in 2015, the Medal of Good Citizenship recognizes individuals who, through exceptional long-term service, have made outstanding contributions to their communities without expectation of remuneration or reward.
The medal reflects their generosity, service, acts of selflessness and contributions to community life and recipients were nominated by members of their communities.
According to a news release, Gratton received the award because of her deep pride in her heritage and selfless contributions to her community which have contributed greatly to the growth and development of Prince George and the north-central region over the past 70 years.
Gratton’s connection to Prince George and its surrounding areas goes back to her pioneering parents who settled in Salmon Valley in 1933.
A desire to share her talents for the benefits of others, along with a strong interest in her family’s heritage, led to her work with the Prince George Heritage Commission where she helped document and ensure the legacy of many historic buildings and sites.
A steadfast champion for heritage promotion, education and awareness, Gratton has dedicated countless hours to develop and promote interpretive signs for local heritage sites and compile an inventory of heritage trees. Gratton’s compilation of recollections and history in Saga of a Pioneer’s Dream, which tells the stories of settlers to the Salmon Valley region in the early 1900s, has helped create a permanent record of the Cariboo region’s vast history.
She also served on the Prince George City Council for 13 years and was a founding member of the Prince George Fibre Arts Guild, also president, the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame, the PG Hydro Power Pioneers and the Parish Pastoral Council that established Christ Our Saviour Church.
In 2004, Gratton chaired Prince George’s Communities in Bloom committee. She is still involved in the Civic Pride Action Group, which conducts an annual litter clean up, as well as the Adopt-a-Block Program where volunteers work to keep the community litter-free. Gratton’s fundraising efforts have helped build a tennis court at Kelly Road Secondary School, the Hart Highlands Ski Hill and the Nechako Babe Ruth Heather Road Complex.
She also donated an 18th-century log loom to the Huble Homestead/Giscome Portage Heritage Society.
This is not the only award that Gratton has received for her may contributions.
- Mother of the Year from Kelly Road Home and School
- Eagles Mother of the Year
- B.C. Babe Ruth Sports Hall of Fame
- Prince George Sports Hall of Fame
- Jeanne Clark Memorial Local History Award
- Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Commemorative Medal
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
- 2004 Citizen of the Year
- 2011 Outstanding Volunteer
- Freedom of the City of Prince George
