Awards

Diane Brennan is presented with Freedom of the City by Mayor Leonard Krog at a ceremony Monday, Oct. 4, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. (Photo courtesy Derek Johnstone/City of Nanaimo)

Former Nanaimo councillor Brennan honoured with Freedom of the City

Longtime councillor given the highest honour the city can bestow

Diane Brennan is presented with Freedom of the City by Mayor Leonard Krog at a ceremony Monday, Oct. 4, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. (Photo courtesy Derek Johnstone/City of Nanaimo)
Jeannine Caldbeck has served as fire chief of the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. (Photo by Dave Tarris)

Thetis Island fire chief first female in Canada to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association cites Caldbeck’s significant commitment

Jeannine Caldbeck has served as fire chief of the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. (Photo by Dave Tarris)
Representatives from Van Isle Windows celebrate a previous Torch Awards win at a gala hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. The 2021 finalists were recently announced. (Facebook/Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island)

Better Business Bureau Torch Awards double down with annual Vancouver Island celebration

2021 finalists come from two years of nominees; all to be recognized at November gala in Victoria

Representatives from Van Isle Windows celebrate a previous Torch Awards win at a gala hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. The 2021 finalists were recently announced. (Facebook/Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island)
UBCM awards took place virtually this year. (Photo courtesy of UBCM)

Highlands awarded by UBCM for work in sustainable asset management

Union of B.C. Municipalities Community Excellence Awards handed out virtually

UBCM awards took place virtually this year. (Photo courtesy of UBCM)
Darrel J. McLeod is nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for his book Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity, A Memoir. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)

Sooke author among finalists for $60K Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust prize

Prize is the richest annual literary award for Canadian nonfiction

Darrel J. McLeod is nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for his book Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity, A Memoir. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)
Comox Valley Record reporter Erin Haluschak is up for a Jack Webster Award. Photo by Terry Farrell

Comox Valley Record reporter up for a Jack Webster Award

Erin Haluschak named a finalist for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Reporting

Comox Valley Record reporter Erin Haluschak is up for a Jack Webster Award. Photo by Terry Farrell
This combination of photos shows nominees for the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, from left, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. (AP Photo)

Chris Stapleton, Eric Church share top CMA nominations

Paired joined by Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs as entertainer of the year nominees

This combination of photos shows nominees for the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, from left, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. (AP Photo)
Bill Collins, chairperson of Cascadia Seaweed, enjoys a piece of sugar kelp, earlier in 2020. The company is part of the Oceans 2050 Seaweed Project, which won a 2021 Keeling Curve Prize. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney company part of award-winning climate change project

Cascadia Seaweed part of Oceans 2050 project that won Keeling Curve Prize

Bill Collins, chairperson of Cascadia Seaweed, enjoys a piece of sugar kelp, earlier in 2020. The company is part of the Oceans 2050 Seaweed Project, which won a 2021 Keeling Curve Prize. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich teacher Omar Azim, who works at Royal Oak Middle School, was awarded the Loran Scholars Foundation Teachers Building Leaders Award earlier this year. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Saanich teacher recognized for guidance, growth by student who became Loran scholar

‘Mr. Azim is a teacher who has built not one leader, but many’

Saanich teacher Omar Azim, who works at Royal Oak Middle School, was awarded the Loran Scholars Foundation Teachers Building Leaders Award earlier this year. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
On National Peacekeepers’ Day, the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association’s (CPVA) Outstanding Service Award was given to Broadmead Care’s Veterans Memorial Lodge and Veterans Health Centre. On hand for the ceremonies were: Harold Leduc (left), former president of the CVPA; Heather Parry, chair of Broadmead Care board; Denise May, Broadmead Care interim CEO, and Ron Lloyd, director of Broadmead Care board. (Courtesy of Broadmead Care)

Second World War veterans on hand for Saanich care centre’s outstanding service award

Broadmead Care Society’s Veterans Memorial Lodge and Veterans Health Centre earn award

On National Peacekeepers’ Day, the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association’s (CPVA) Outstanding Service Award was given to Broadmead Care’s Veterans Memorial Lodge and Veterans Health Centre. On hand for the ceremonies were: Harold Leduc (left), former president of the CVPA; Heather Parry, chair of Broadmead Care board; Denise May, Broadmead Care interim CEO, and Ron Lloyd, director of Broadmead Care board. (Courtesy of Broadmead Care)
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is among three Greater Victoria residents honoured with the 2021 Order of B.C. Aug. 2 for their contributions to the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Three Greater Victoria residents awarded Order of B.C.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, Dr. Debra Braithwaite and Andrew Petter honoured

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is among three Greater Victoria residents honoured with the 2021 Order of B.C. Aug. 2 for their contributions to the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
The City of Victoria is calling for nominations for its 2021 Honorary Citizens Awards. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria accepting nominations for 2021 Honourary Citizens Award

This year features 12 categories, nominations open until July 25

The City of Victoria is calling for nominations for its 2021 Honorary Citizens Awards. (Black Press Media file photo)
Oak Bay Police Association Bursary recipient Lucy Balogh and family. (Evert Lindquist photo)

Oak Bay High students honoured for outstanding accomplishments

2021 marks school’s first year with two female valedictorians, second year of Nils Jensen Bursary

Oak Bay Police Association Bursary recipient Lucy Balogh and family. (Evert Lindquist photo)
The 14th annual Oak Bay Young Exceptional Star (YES) awards June 3. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay celebrates its Young Exceptional Stars with outdoor award ceremony

Nine young people recognized in 14th annual awards

  • Jun 13, 2021
The 14th annual Oak Bay Young Exceptional Star (YES) awards June 3. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
British Columbia-Yukon Community News Association’s 2021 Ma Murray Awards were handed out during a virtual ceremony on Friday, June 10. (Screen grab)

Black Press Media winners take gold at B.C. and Yukon journalism awards

Publications received nods in dozens of categories

British Columbia-Yukon Community News Association’s 2021 Ma Murray Awards were handed out during a virtual ceremony on Friday, June 10. (Screen grab)
Science World BC has named Pauline Finn, executive director of Sidney’s Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, a patron. The honour recognizes volunteers or former employees have contributed in a significant way to the development of the society. (Photo courtesy Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea)

Executive director of Sidney aquarium recognized by Science World BC

Vancouver-based organization honours former employee Pauline Finn with patron status

Science World BC has named Pauline Finn, executive director of Sidney’s Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, a patron. The honour recognizes volunteers or former employees have contributed in a significant way to the development of the society. (Photo courtesy Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea)
Math teacher Neal Johnson presents Samuel Li with a medal for winning first place in B.C. for Grade 10 students in the Math Challengers provincial competition. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Saanich mathletes make their mark with record-setting awards haul

Mount Doug Secondary students take home best-ever results for an Island school

Math teacher Neal Johnson presents Samuel Li with a medal for winning first place in B.C. for Grade 10 students in the Math Challengers provincial competition. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Eugene Levy, from left, Annie Murphy, Daniel Levy and Catherine O’Hara, cast members in the TV series “Schitt’s Creek,” pose for a portrait during the 2018 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Willy Sanjuan - Invision

‘Schitt’s Creek,’ ‘Blood Quantum’ overall winners at Canadian Screen Awards

TV comedy swan song won eight times, indigenous zombie feature won seven trophies in total

Eugene Levy, from left, Annie Murphy, Daniel Levy and Catherine O’Hara, cast members in the TV series “Schitt’s Creek,” pose for a portrait during the 2018 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Willy Sanjuan - Invision
Queen Elizabeth II and Clive Holland, deputy commonwealth president of the Royal Life Saving Society, top left, virtually present Dr. Steve Beerman, top right, with the King Edward VII Cup for his drowning-prevention work. Tanner Gorille and Sarah Downs were honoured with Russell Medals for their life-saving resuscitation. (Buckingham Palace photo)

Queen presents Vancouver Island doctor with award for global drowning prevention

Dr. Steve Beerman receives Royal Life Saving Society’s King Edward VII Cup at virtual ceremony

Queen Elizabeth II and Clive Holland, deputy commonwealth president of the Royal Life Saving Society, top left, virtually present Dr. Steve Beerman, top right, with the King Edward VII Cup for his drowning-prevention work. Tanner Gorille and Sarah Downs were honoured with Russell Medals for their life-saving resuscitation. (Buckingham Palace photo)
Pudge Bawa received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Black Tie Awards on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (Submitted)

Cowichan business community honoured with Black Tie awards

Recipients gave speeches by phone while being live-streamed on YouTube

Pudge Bawa received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Black Tie Awards on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (Submitted)