Within Rotary, the Paul Harris Fellow Awards are presented in recognition of individuals who, in their community, “… embody Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self’.”
On behalf of each recipient, $1,000 (US) is donated to the Rotary Foundation to help with a wide variety of funding initiatives throughout the world, including promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting material and child health, advancing education, helping to grow local economies and protecting the environment.
On May 28th, the Southampton Rotary Club recognized five individuals with the Paul Harris Fellow Award – Geordie Farrell, Catherine Dianne (Mini) Jacques, Lori Kewaquom, Joanne Robbins and Michael Smith.
Geordie Farrell: With her late husband Earl, Goerdie co-founded the Saugeen Track & Field Club (STFC), recognized as one of Canada’s foremost athletic programs that has seen several athletes go on to become national champions, Olympians, World Champion Medalists and a Rhodes Scholar.
She also established the Earl Farrell Foundation endowment fund to provide financial support for the local hospital and which has grown to $80,000.
Among her many achievements, she also recently established the local Bernie’s Dragon Boat project that encourages breast cancer survivors to paddle together for strength, solidarity and healing and is a fundraiser for cancer research.
Catherine Dianne (Mini)Jacques: As a former Town Councillor and Tourism Coordinator for Port Elgin, and her nearly four decades of serving her community of Saugeen Shores, Mini has volunteered with passion on committees that include the Mayor’s Task Force for Housing, the Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Waterfront and Economic Recovery Committee and, today, is Chair of United Housing for All (UHFA) to advocate for equitable housing and support services in the community.
As a caregiver for her late mother Cathy, Mini’s passion also now extends to seniors’ well-being issues.
Lori Kewaquom: As a liaison between Saugeen First Nation and Saugeen Shores communities, Lori has played an integral role in organizing meaningful events such as the annual gathering on the Zgaa-biig-ni-gan (We are Connected) bridge that spans the
Saugeen River between Saugeen First Nation and Southampton.
With a commitment to education and healing, she helped develop the ‘Indian Day Schools: The National and Local Story’ exhibit. and helped ensure that the Rotary Peace Pole in Rotary Perkins Parks carries an Ojibwe language translation.
Joanne Robbins: Everyone who knows Joanne knows her as the ‘face of Pumpkinfest‘ since its inception, one of Ontario’s premier festivals that draws visitors from across the world and that showcases Port Elgin and Saugeen Shores, but she was also the former Manager of the Chamber of Commerce that developed strong community partnerships.
In 2023, she was inducted into the ‘Festivals and Events Ontario Hall of Fame‘ in recognition of her contributions to community events.
Most recently, ‘Jo’ has been the driving force behind the ‘Events Resource Centre’ that has “… streamlined event planning and support resources across the municipality that benefits countless volunteers and organizations”.
Michael Smith: As a young high-school student, bagpiper Michael Smith began the tradition as ‘Sunset Piper’ in Southampton every summer Friday evening playing the bagpipe as the sun set over Lake Huron.
His music has become a ritual for residents and visitors, building a sense of community, joy and shared identity and adding to the charm of Southampton.
Since 2004 to fund his university education, Michael has only missed two Friday nights and, since then, he has earned a Nursing Degree with Honours, is a Professor of Nursing at Georgian College, has married and started a family … and yet, he continues to bring his musical tradition to the shore of Lake Huron every summer’s Friday evening.
Now, thanks to the Seaman family and the legacy of Thead Seaman, the Piper will have his own special stone to stand on. Thead Seaman was a former Town Councillor, volunteer firefighter and founding member of Friends of the Flag, Southampton.
Meeting Photo Album
For larger view, Click on Image
In addition to the four community recipients, four Club members also received Paul Harris Fellow Awards for their continued ‘Service Above Self’.
