2017 VCLA WINNERS

BETH TURNER AND GRAHAM ROBERTSON

Since 2011, Beth and Graham have been organizing the Cycle of Life Tour to raise awareness about hospice care as well as raise funds for Victoria Hospice.  Hospice is an important service that was not being recognized in Victoria prior to the Cycle of Life Tour.  With Turner and Robertson's leadership, the Cycle of Life Tour is a legacy that continues today in the hands of the Victoria.

Sponsored by BC Transit.

GERALD HARRIS

In his 4-year career, Gerald worked with fisheries and the environment.  He also taught for the visually impaired and deaf-blind persons.  Upon retirement, Gerald made a difference as a community leader in several habitat restorations and public green space projects throughout the Victoria region, most notably in the Bowker Creek watershed.

Sponsored by BC Transit

LAUREL COLLINS

Unless we are involved in municipal finances, we know very little about where our local funds are invested.  Laurel Collins knows that some of it are in funds that support the fossil fuel industry and she wants to change that.  Laurel was contacted by councillors of the City of Victoria after she the question of divestment.  Divest Victoria was organized and gained traction across other B.C. towns to put pressure on the Municipal Financial Authority to provide fossil fuel-free investment funds for municipalities.

Sponsored by Royal Roads University

BARY GRAY, KEITH JONES, JENNIFER ROWAN, & CAROL CARMAN

In 2015, Bary, Keith, Jennifer and Carol, the organization team members, put together the Greater Victoria Literacy Initiative after consulting with various literacy groups in Victoria.  The long-term project brings people together for a more integrated literacy strategy in the region.  Bringing together these organizations under the leadership of the organizing team members has already forged new relationships, raised awareness, and contributed to the development of an integrate literacy strategy for the benefit of all Greater Victoria.

Sponsored by Royal Roads University 

FRANCES LITMAN

 From a reporter at the Times Colonist to a political candidate in the last federal election, Frances Litman has been involved in the region's community life for a long time.  Her flagship project, called Creatively United for the Planet, is an active year-long event that seeks to raise awareness about environmental and social justice issues from the grassroots.

Sponsored by Royal Roads University

SHELLIE GUDGEON

Shellie Gudgeon credits her experience in the hospitality industry for her ability to bring people together and find common round.  She helped facilitate the creation of Begbie Park, but it was the neighbourhood who made it happen.  Meaningful community building is messy.  It takes patience, time and understanding, yet it is long-lasting.

Sponsored by Royal Roads University

LESLIE CAMPBELL & DAVID BROADLAND

Thirty years ago, Leslie and David created FOCUS on WOMEN as space where local women could tell their stories and empower themselves and the community.  In 2004, the magazine became FOCUS and began telling other stories too:  local politics, the environment, and the arts.  FOCUS has always differentiated itself by its long-form investigative journalism.  To understand a complex issue, readers need a long, complex story that not only delivers facts in context but also provides an avenue for change.

Sponsored by Royal Roads University