The Rural Voice, 2019-05, Page 38Catharine Campbell is the 2018
recipient of Tommy Cooper
award. She received the
honour at the annual celebration of
agriculture and rural life hosted by
the Bruce and Grey Federations of
Agriculture.
She is a lifelong resident of
Rocklyn, a small but vibrant
agricultural community, south east of
Owen Sound.
“There’s nobody more deserving
especially in our local community.
She puts more than 100 per cent of
her time and effort into local events.
She’s a role model for the next
generation of leaders,” said Dave
Wiley, president of the Rocklyn
Agricultural Society. “Not just the
Rocklyn community, she does a lot
of work with some of the other
agricultural societies as well. Pretty
much any local fall fair you go to
you’re going to see Catharine
somewhere. There aren’t too many
people around that don’t know
Catharine Campbell.”
In accepting the award Campbell
acknowledged the importance of
agriculture in everyday life and the
value of leadership among youth.
“Rural life is important just
because we need to have our (rural)
communities and people doing
agricultural work,” said Campbell
who has been involved in the 4-H
movement and Junior Farmers for
the past 31 years..
The goal of 4-H is to develop
citizenship, leadership, responsibility
and life skills of youth through
experiential learning programmes
and a positive youth development
approach. Though typically thought
of as an agriculturally focused
organization, 4-H includes a wide
range of options each allowing for
personal growth and career success.
This year there are about 20 4-H
leaders signed up so far for the
Rocklyn 4-H Club and Campbell
expects close to 100 youth will take
part in more than 10 clubs this year.
Clubs range from animal husbandry
to photography and public speaking.
“There are so many opportunities
for these kids. They can go to
leadership camp; there are
conferences, no matter what age they
are. They learn public speaking,
judging skills and involvement in the
community,” she said. 4-H, which
runs from age 9 to 21, represents four
personal development areas of focus:
head, heart, hands, and health.
Campbell acknowledged the
4-H movement’s deep roots in
the community with involvement
being passed on from generation
to generation.
“In rural life you have leaders and
you graduate from 4-H to Junior
Farmers who are very supportive of
the community as well. We’ve had a
number of our Rocklyn Junior
Farmers go on to the provincial level.
I went on a young farmer exchange
representing Canada – to England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
in 1998,” she said.
From Junior Farmers Campbell
moved on to working with the
agricultural society where she
became president and now holds the
title of past president.
“Agriculture is where this
community developed and we
celebrated our 150th anniversary the
34 The Rural Voice
“She’s role model for future leaders”
Catharine Campbell is praised for her volunteerism as
she is given the 2018 Tommy Cooper award
• By Don Crosby •
People
Catharine Campbell is the 2018 winner of the Tommy Cooper award for
her contributions to rural living. Catharine is front and centre in this photo
surounded by: (front row) Lillien Campbell (daughter) Catharine Campbell,
Sierra Campbell (Daughter); (second row) Emily McKague, Jessica Wiley,
Diane Booker, Karen McKague, Lisa Squire; (third row) Shirley Ann
Fulford, Jackie Grant, Kimberley Lewis, Billie Joe Saunders, Denise
McKay; (fourth row) Steven Naylor, Christine Wyville, Lindsey Coles,
Taylor Campbell, Tyler Campbell (husband).