Brockton Thanks Volunteers and Recognizes 2024 Volunteer Award Recipients

The Municipality of Brockton is fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals who generously donate their time and talents. Brockton prides itself on our caring and welcoming nature, which is embodied by all of our volunteers. The Municipality hosted our Volunteer Recognition Event on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the Cargill Community Centre to celebrate our Committees, Local Boards, and Service Clubs who are a valuable asset to the Municipality.  

The Municipality also recognized individuals as the recipients of the 2024 Brockton Good Neighbour Award, and the 2024 Outstanding Youth Award, created in partnership with the Walkerton and District Optimist Club. We thank everyone who submitted a nomination - we are fortunate to have many dedicated individuals who give back to our community, including our young people!

Outstanding Youth Award

The Municipality and the Walkerton and District Optimist Club collaborated on the creation of the Outstanding Youth Award recognizing outstanding youth and their amazing contributions in our community, such as giving back to the community by making positive contributions in volunteerism, demonstrating selflessness in acts bettering others, and promoting inclusivity and diversity within their community to ensure that others feel they belong.

The winners of the 2024 Outstanding Youth Award were: Carson Baglole, Kate Bester, Leah Bruder, Alyssa Duff, Callum Dupuis, Mesha Jack, Ashley Kestner, Samantha Oestreicher, Avery Osthoff, and Greyson Spitzig.

• Carson Baglole - for their involvement with Sacred Heart High School’s boys rugby team, acting as a peer tutor to Grade 9 Phys-Ed classes demonstrating leadership and acting as an excellent role model for others. Carson's passion for sports in our community is evident through their work refereeing hockey games and leading recreation programs. We appreciate Carson's enthusiastic volunteerism!
• Kate Bester - for their involvement with Sacred Heart High School’s Catholic School Senate, their dedication to competitive Irish Dance, showing leadership through teaching beginner and novice dance students, and assistance with the Port Elgin Queen’s Hotel holiday meal campaign, and services provided to residents of Brucelea Haven and Maple Court. Kate's advocacy efforts and inclusivity of others are greatly appreciated! We also extend our congratulations on Kate's upcoming role as Student Trustee and nomination for the North American Sadie Simpson Highland Scholarship!
• Leah Bruder - for their involvement with coaching and refereeing junior sports at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, as well as assisting with bus evacuations and serving as a bus monitor on a daily basis caring for their fellow students’ safety. Leah's involvement with the Knights of Columbus Hall, and generosity assisting neighbours unable to shovel their driveways in the Winter and cut their grass in the Spring and Summer are admirable. Leah volunteers without being asked, and their giving personality is recognized as  they are known to see a need and move to fill it willingly!
• Callum Dupuis - for their involvement with Walkerton District Community School’s Student Administrative Council organizing events and assemblies, and providing tours to incoming Grade 9 students. Callum's assistance to the Walkerton Agricultural Society’s Little Royal Fair and involvement with the planning for Walkerton Homecoming 2026 show their passion for the community! Callum's caring and encouraging mentorship to students is greatly appreciated!
• Alyssa Duff -  for their involvement with Walkerton District Community School through committees, clubs, and teams, such as Grade 8 Orientation, Prom Committee, Art Show, and Hike for Hospice fundraiser. Alyssa's support of the Grad Trip fundraiser and Grade 8 graduation ceremony show their generosity towards fellow students!
• Mesha Jack - for their involvement with Walkerton District Community School through the Breakfast Club program, representing the Riverhawks at events, and assisting other students at the Water and Forest Festival is greatly appreciated. Mesha's generosity and selflessness are valued, and we are encouraged to see how supportive they are of their school community!
• Ashley Kestner - for their involvement providing child care services and yardwork to neighbours, and leadership as a counselor at the Muskoka Camp for youth. As the current ambassador for the Walkerton Agricultural Society Ashley has shared their knowledge and enthusiasm with children in our community and advocated for the importance of agriculture in Bruce County. Ashley's support for the Hike for Hospice event is also valued. Ashley's enthusiasm for their school community is recognized through their involvement on the Yearbook Committee, Prom Committee, serving as a peer tutor and sports teams. We are encouraged by Ashley's plans to come home to the community and share their volunteerism once again, following post-secondary education!
• Samantha Oestreicher - for their involvement with Walkerton District Community School through the Student Advisory Council organizing spirit days, fundraisers, and events for all students, as well as in their role as Student Senator with the Bluewater District School Board representing WDCS in a leadership capacity is greatly appreciated. Sam's advocacy of equity, diversity, and inclusion is recognized through their work on committees, sports teams, coaching of Hanover Aerials Gymnastic Club, and planning community initiatives with Trinity Theatre Youth Council. Samantha's selfless efforts are respected by their peers and community, acknowledging Sam as a role model!
• Avery Osthoff - for their involvement with Walkerton District Community School, establishing the Meal Mates program, providing students with access to basic necessities, and recognizing the impacts of food insecurity, and advocating for others. Avery's continued promotion and increased awareness of the program are influential in its future success and a testament to their legacy in helping start this invaluable program. Avery's enthusiasm and leadership are recognized through their management of the Girls Rugby team, their efforts planning events and assemblies through the Wellness and Inclusivity Club, and involvement with the Elmwood Chamber of Commerce show Avery's continued generosity, and dedicated work ethic!
• Greyson Spitzig - for their involvement with the Optimist Club participating in events and initiatives that give back to the community, acting as a leader for various activities including sporting events with an enthusiastic attitude, and encouraging their peers and showing a willingness to assist neighbours. Greyson's positivity, maturity, and work ethic are recognized as an inspiration to others.

(Pictured from left to right - Back row: Greg McLean, Councillor/Optimist Club member, Samantha Oestreicher, Callum Dupuis, Alyssa Duff, Kate Bester, Carson Baglole, Sonya Watson, Chief Administrative Officer, and Chris Peabody, Mayor. Front row: Connie Weber, Optimist Club President, Avery Osthoff, Greyson Spitzig, Mesha Jack, Leah Bruder, and Ashley Kestner),

Brockton Good Neighbour Award

The Brockton Good Neighbour award recognizes 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. 

We thank everyone who submitted a nomination for the 2024 Brockton Good Neighbour Award, and recognize this year’s nominees for their dedication to our community:

• Walter Howald – for his kindness to those in need no matter the hour including his assistance to neighbours, members of the community, or stranded motorists with car, wheelchair, and mobility scooter repairs or other vehicle troubles; aiding during the COVID-19 pandemic by sewing buttons on masks; offering his time to youth in our area through co-op or apprenticeship programs, fostering a sense of unity and growth among our young population. Wally’s dedication to service and lending a helping hand or caring ear is greatly appreciated!
• Darlene Thomson – for her involvement with a variety of service clubs including the Walkerton and District Optimist Club, Walkerton Agricultural Society, Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 102), and Sacred Heart Parish CWL. Her enthusiastic attitude and behind the scenes work ethic in a number of activities is commendable!
• Dianne Waram – for her dedicated contributions to and management of the Walkerton and District Foodbank for 10 years, her coordination with the Midwestern Ontario Rotary Music Festival for another 10 years, her role in organizing Brockton’s Canada Day Celebrations with the Rotary Club of Walkerton over the past 7 years, and her previous assistance with Home and Community Support, Bruce County Children’s Aid, Kinette Club of Walkerton. Dianne’s compassion for others is evident, and her work ethic is greatly valued!

(Pictured from left to right: Sonya Watson, Brockton Chief Administrative Officer, Dianne Waram, Walter Howald, Darlene Thomson, Chris Peabody, Brockton Mayor)

The Municipality of Brockton is proud to present the 2024 Brockton Good Neighbour Award to Darlene Thomson. As the recipient of the Brockton Good Neighbour Award, Darlene represented the spirit of Brockton’s caring and welcoming spirit through her various volunteer experience, including:

• Contributions with the Walkerton and District Optimist Club fostering a positive environment for children and fellow members.
• Enrichment of our cultural landscape through her work with the County Towne Players, filling many shoes with a personable and virtuous manner.
• Support for spiritual and social needs of the community through the Sacred Heart Parish and its Catholic Women’s League lending a helpful hand, or a pan of squares.
• Promotion of recreation and camaraderie with the Walkerton Golf and Curling Club’s events and initiatives.
• Regular volunteerism with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 102 in Walkerton, including working in the kitchen whenever needed.
• Passion for agriculture and community building through her efforts with the Walkerton Agricultural Society supporting our rural environment.

Darlene shows her steadfast dedication to Brockton’s community through her selfless acts of kindness, encouraging others and acting in a role model capacity, proactively willing to help where needed with a positive attitude. Her motivation in running events is contagious and admirable.

Please join us in congratulating Darlene Thomson on receiving the 2024 Brockton Good Neighbour Award!

Both the Brockton Volunteer Awards Committee and the Walkerton and District Optimist Club would like to thank all who participated in our award program. The nominees represented a broad cross-section of our community, each passionately involved in helping to make Brockton a warm, welcoming and vibrant community. 

The Municipality of Brockton thanks all of our volunteers for their service to the community, and extend our gratitude to Andrew Strader for providing the musical entertainment for this event, Barb Vyhnal for the beautiful cupcakes, and Simply Deli-cious for the excellent meal!