QCGN’s Community Awards were established by the Quebec Community Groups Network in 2009 to celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the vitality and understanding of English-speaking Quebec. Every fall, the QCGN celebrates our community’s most distinguished leaders by awarding them our two provincial awards: the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Community Service Award and the Young Quebecers Leading the Way Award.
Meet the 2018 Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Award Winners
Olga Melikoff and Murielle Parkes
When Olga Melikoff, Murielle Parkes and the late Valerie Neale set out to create a French immersion program at Margaret Pendlebury Elementary School in St. Lambert in 1963, they had no idea it would ultimately change the face of English-language pu- blic education across Canada and help forge linguistic duality into a defining characteristic of our nation.
“We could see the writing on the wall, that our kids needed to be speaking French,” said Parkes. “We knew darned well we had to do something.”
John Rae
John Rae has built a life around an innate ability to bring people together in common cause. Despite being central to their ulti- mate success, for the most part he has remained behind the scenes.
“I am very humbled by it and accept it on behalf of the tremen- dous organizations and the teams of people that I have had the privilege of working with,” said Rae of being awarded the Shelia and Victor Goldbloom Community Service Award. “I am very proud to be associated with the Goldbloom family and their com- mitment to building bridges.”
Meet the 2018 Young Quebecers Leading the Way Award Winner
Hayley Campbell
When Hayley Campbell received a call informing her that she won the Young Quebecers Leading the Way Award, she said she didn’t think it was true.
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” said the 23-year-old native of Shawville, Quebec. Given her long-time leadership in her com- munity, the award should come as a surprise to no one.
In nominating her for the award, Regional Association of West Quebecers executive director Linton Garner said “Hayley has proven skills for leadership and innovative thinking in our community. Community involvement has been very important to her since a young age and she has participated actively in many activities inside and outside her community.”
QCGN’s 2018 Community Awards in the News
Le QCGN est financé par le gouvernement du Canada par le biais du ministère du Patrimoine canadien
