Volunteer Appreciation

The Municipality of Brockton appreciates the tremendous efforts of our volunteers and committee members who make valuable contributions to the community.

A formal recognition event was held on June 11, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Walkerton Community Centre to celebrate our Committees and volunteers as well as presenting two volunteer recognition awards. 

Our Committee and Service Club volunteers were invited to attend the recognition event, celebrate in the award recognition, and share in some light refreshments and music entertainment.

Brockton Good Neighbour Award

For an individual who has displayed activities that embody a strong sense of values, promoting the positive impact of good neighbourly deeds and contribute to the vitality and fabric of the community.

Eligibility

  • Nominees must be a resident of Brockton.
  • A merchant or service provider who has gone above and beyond the norm in looking after the people they serve in the community.
  • An individual who goes out of their way, possibly on a continuous basis, to assist seniors, particularly those who are vulnerable financially or for health reasons.
  • An individual who has a good natured, outgoing personality who makes the lives of those they encounter daily, a little more enjoyable.
  • An individual who rallies the community for a cause important to the community or member of the community.

Criteria

Nominees for this award should be someone who has taken the initiative to do spontaneous or unheralded deeds, rather than participation in group activities such as those with community groups or associations that result in Brockton being a more enjoyable community to live in. Activities must embody a strong sense of values, promote the positive impact of good neighbourly deeds and have contributed to the vitality and fabric of our community.

Selection and Awards Process

  1. Once nomination forms have been received, they will be reviewed by the Municipality of Brockton.
  2. Nominators were contacted to confirm receipt of the nomination form. Nominees have been contacted to inform them that they have been nominated for the award.
  3. Nominees and their Nominators were invited to attend the Municipality of Brockton's Volunteer Recognition Event on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Walkerton Community Centre (290 Durham Street West, Walkerton).

Information about the awards presented, including the names and photos of the award recipients, will be published on the Municipality of Brockton’s website and social media. Recipients are asked to inform the Municipality of Brockton if they do not wish to have their name or photo published.

The winner of the Good Neighbour Award will receive a certificate and Brockton Dollars.

2026 Good Neighbour Award Recipient

Nominations for the Brockton Good Neighbour Award closed on May 25, 2026. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. The winner was announced at the Volunteer Recognition Event on June 11, 2026.

The 2026 Good Neighbour Award was presented to Shirley Young for her dedication serving on various organizations such as President of the Elmwood Community Service Association, Booking Agent/Secretary of the Elmwood Community Centre Board, and Member of the Elmwood Canada 150 Committee, Elmwood Summer Programs for Youth, and Elmwood Minor Ball. Shirley’s enthusiasm to give back to the community is greatly admired whether it be leading community events like Elmwood Bingo or Elmwood’s Christmas in the Park, assisting at cleanups, or tending to flower beds. Shirley acts with empathy and compassion, providing neighbours and community members with comfort and helps to set their worries at ease.

Walkerton and District Optimist Club Outstanding Youth Award

The Walkerton and District Optimist Club and the Municipality of Brockton is recognizing outstanding youth and their amazing contributions in our community!

Eligibility

  • All nominees must live in the Municipality of Brockton
  • Nominees must be ages 12-17 years old (Grades 7-12)
  • The nominator cannot be related to an individual nominee

Criteria

Do you know a youth that is committed to your community and improving the world around you?  If you believe that you know of a Brockton student that is between the ages of 12 – 17 years old, then please let us know!

The Walkerton and District Optimist Club is looking for youths in the Brockton area that:

  • Demonstrates youth leadership opportunities through taking charge and becoming a strong leader at school, in the community and setting up for their future career.
  • Makes a difference with hands-on projects that give back to the community.
  • Does your youth demonstrate the skills of volunteering their time and providing an environment of inclusion of all people?
  • Go the extra mile to make things better

Nothing formal needed, bullet points, sentence format, etc we will accept them all!

If someone comes to your mind, that is a great place to start!  Just jot down the amazing things that the student does and we will be happy to have their nomination!

We are looking forward to recognizing our youth and celebrating the wonderful things that they do.

Selection and Awards Process

  1. Once nomination forms have been received, they will be reviewed by the Walkerton and District Optimist Club.
  2. Nominators were contacted to confirm receipt of the nomination form. Nominees have been contacted to inform them that they have been nominated for the award.
  3. Nominees and their Nominators were invited to attend the Municipality of Brockton's Volunteer Recognition Event on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Walkerton Community Centre (290 Durham Street West, Walkerton).

Information about the awards presented, including the names and photos of the award recipients, will be published on the Municipality of Brockton’s website and social media. Recipients are asked to inform the Municipality of Brockton if they do not wish to have their name or photo published.

2026 Outstanding Youth Award Recipient

Nominations for the Outstanding Youth Award closed on May 25, 2026. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. The winner was announced at the Volunteer Recognition Event on June 11, 2026.

The Municipality of Brockton and Walkerton and District Optimist Club are proud to present the 2026 Outstanding Youth Award to Jackson Huber for his avid involvement at Brucelea Haven, supporting programming with seniors, and spending valuable time with each resident whether it be after school, throughout the summer, or while dressed up as the Easter Bunny! Jackson's dedication to providing a listening ear, sharing your piano skills, and cheerful smile is appreciated by both the staff and residents at Brucelea Haven.

Edward J. (Ted) Cobean Heritage Award

Heritage Conservation Award

In 2025, a new volunteer award was created and named in honour of Edward J. (Ted) Cobean, former Brockton Heritage Committee Chairperson, a valuable resource for Brockton's community and visitors inquiring to learn more about their historic ties to the Municipality. 

This Award recognizes an individual or group who have made significant contributions to the promotion and preservation of Brockton's historical, cultural, natural, and built heritage.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must be a resident of Brockton.
  • Voluntary promotion of the importance of preserving significant heritage structures.
  • Leadership in the restoration and preservation of heritage structures (buildings etc).
  • Leadership in the restoration and preservation of significant natural sites.
  • Long-standing voluntary service as a member of a heritage committee or other organizations dedicated to preserving historical, cultural, natural and built heritage.
  • Personal collections of local artifacts, heritage photographs or memorabilia that shared with the community to promote appreciation of our heritage.
  • Creation of a historical record based on research and curation of local heritage features, personalities and events used to celebrate communicate, and honour the collective heritage of Brockton with the community

Selection and Awards Process

  1. Once nomination forms were been received, they were reviewed by the Municipality of Brockton.
  2. Nominators were contacted to confirm receipt of the nomination form. Nominees were contacted to inform them that they were nominated for the award.
  3. Nominees and their Nominators were invited to attend the Municipality of Brockton's Volunteer Recognition Event on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Walkerton Community Centre (290 Durham Street West, Walkerton).

Information about the awards presented, including the names and photos of the award recipients, will be published on the Municipality of Brockton’s website and social media. Recipients are asked to inform the Municipality of Brockton if they do NOT wish to have their name or photo published.

2026 Heritage Award Winner: The winner of the Heritage Award will receive a certificate, and their name will be engraved on the Heritage Award plaque.

2026 Heritage Award Recipient and Nominees

Nominations for the 2026 Heritage Conservation Award closed on May 20, 2026. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination form. The winner was announced at the Volunteer Recognition Event on June 11, 2026.

This year's award nominees were:

  • Clarence “Butch” Kieffer Jr. – For sharing his passion for preservation of history since the early 1990’s, enlightening school students and the public through the annual “Honour a Hero” display at the Walkerton Legion for 20 years honouring the men and women who serve in the Canadian military and educating the public on Veterans’ contributions. Clarence has shared a wealth of knowledge and memorabilia with the Brockton Heritage Committee, other regional historical organizations including the Bruce County Museum and Archives, and Homecoming events, including the upcoming Walkerton Homecoming. Clarence also created Acts of Remembrance storefront displays appreciating local contributions to conflicts and peace keeping missions. Clarence’s humility and commitment is greatly valued by Veterans who have trusted him with their memories and memorabilia and respected by local students who became involved in interpreting and presenting at the Honour a Hero Legion displays igniting their appreciation for local heritage. 
  • Andrea Popiez -  For serving on the former Brockton Heritage Committee, including creating Walking and Driving Tours of Brockton as well as taking local high school students on historical walking tours of the area. Andrea assisted in the creation of many heritage displays and publications including the Lloyd Cartwright Cordwainer book series, displays for Family Day and annual Heritage Week window displays at A&R Music. Andrea has assisted in maintaining inventories of historic buildings and memorabilia, as well as assisted at Doors Open events. Andrea continues to provide knowledge to various Homecoming events including the upcoming Walkerton Homecoming and shows incredible dedication to preserving Brockton’s history for future generations.
  • Jen Giesler – For her dedication as the Head of the Walkerton Homecoming History Committee, organizing meetings, compiling research, and creating posters and displays recognizing Walkerton’s history. Jen's enthusiasm and creativity have re-ignited interest in Walkerton's heritage and encouraged more individuals and generations to take pride in remembering the community's history.

The Municipality of Brockton presented the 2026 Edward J. (Ted) Cobean Heritage Conservation Award to Clarence “Butch” Kieffer Jr.  

Contact Us

Municipality of Brockton
100 Scott Street, P.O. Box 68, 
Walkerton, Ontario N0G 2V0, Canada

Phone: 519-881-2223,
Toll Free: 1-877-885-8084,
Fax: 519-881-2991

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