The Citizen, 2012-11-22, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012.McGavin doubles up withQueen’s Diamond medal
Walton’s Craig honoured with Queen’s medal
Craig receives recognition
Graeme Craig, a Walton-area resident, was presented with
the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal during a presentation
last week. Craig was recognized for his service to the
community. (Denny Scott photo)
McGavin has gold and diamond
Neil McGavin added the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal he received in 2002.
The awards recognize community service and McGavin
received his latest one during a presentation last week
where Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb presented the medal to
him. (Denny Scott photo)
Brussels-area resident Neil
McGavin was awarded the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee medald during a
ceremony on Nov. 14.
McGavin, whose family has run
McGavin’s Farm Equipment for
more than 75 years in Walton,
received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee
Medal in 2002 and said that
receiving this further accolade is a
great honour.
“It was quite an honour, especially
being classified with my fellow
recipients,” he said. “There were a
lot of honourable people recognized
including war veterans and
volunteers. It’s nice to be in the
same category as them and it’s nice
to see agriculture recognized.”
McGavin has a long history of
working in the community and
being part of community groups to
help better the area.
He has been involved with the
Britannia Masonic Lodge in
Seaforth for 55 years. During that
time he was named Master of the
lodge and received special honorary
titles for his work thereMcGavin has
been a member of the Brussels
Lions for 40 years and has been a
companion of the University of
Guelph as well.
“That position is about
volunteering and helping out,”
McGavin’s wife Marie explained.
McGavin has been a part of Duff’s
United Church in Walton and helped
out there for years and is currently a
board member as well as being
named a Citizen of the Year for
Brussels.
“I also raise money through
speaking,” McGavin said.
McGavin, who speaks at
gatherings and parties, says that all
the money he garners through those
activities goes directly to the local 4-
H clubs.
He is also a past president of the
Ontario Retail Farm Equipment
Dealers Association (ORFEDA).
The McGavins have two sons, two
daughters and 14 grandchildren and
the family recently received the
Huron County Federation of
Agriculture Outstanding
Contribution to Agriculture
Award.
While he is officially retired from
McGavin Farm Equipment, which is
currently being run by his sons
Brian and Jeff, McGavin can often
be found there.
Following the awards ceremony,
many members of the McGavin
family gathered at Neil and
Marie’s home to celebrate his
accolade.
Graeme Craig may have not been
surprised on Nov. 14 when he was
awarded the Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee medal for community
involvement, but he was surprised
when he first found out.
“It’s a surprise, but it’s an honour
as well,” he said.
Craig received the nod for his
work with several groups in Walton
and the surrounding area including
the Ontario Plowmen’s Association,
the Huron County Plowmen’s
Association, the local 4-H Club
and his work with the Special
Olympics.
“I guess the way it works is some
kind person nominates you and a
resumé and background are
submitted and then the selection
process is started,” he said. “The
award is pretty much completely to
do with community work.”
Craig, who has worked for
McKillop Mutual Insurance for
some time, is a past president of the
Ontario Plowmen’s Association, a
past president of the local 4-H Clubs
and was on the Huron County Board
of Education.
He has been with the Plowmen in
one form or another for 50
years, worked with the school board
for 12 years and is currently the
President of the Wingham and
District Community Living
organization. He also helps out with
his local church and owns the
Walton Inn.
Craig is also the chief returning
officer for the area. However, he
doesn’t feel like he’s doing more
than other people are.
“I just do what other community-
minded people do,” he said. “We all
make it work.”
He said that all his fellow award-
winners were strong community
people and that they all deserved
recognition, but he said that there are
a lot of people who deserve
recognition, especially in Huron
County.
“There are thousands of others
who deserve recognition like this,”
he said.
HISTORY BOOK LAUNCH
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The Municipality of Morris-T
HHI
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N
urnberry is ple
UUNK LAOORY BISTO
of Morris-TTu
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NCH
urnberry is pleased to announce
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History book is completed and the book launch is
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If you have pre-ordered your copy
""#
, DeSaturdayy,
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History book is completed and the book launch is
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, please rdered your copyy,
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, December 1, 2012 9:00am to 4:00pm
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!!! !! !! !
History book is completed and the book launch is
#"
, please bring your receipt
#
, December 1, 2012 9:00am to 4:00pm
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!!! !! !! !
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
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