Submitted. City Council honoured four Abbotsford residents with the Order of Abbotsford on Monday June 23, 2014 for their outstanding contributions to the community, announced Mayor Bruce Banman.
“Each of these residents have dedicated countless hours of time and energy to making Abbotsford a better place to live, work and play,” said Banman. “We are honored to recognize these residents today, and we are sincerely grateful to them and their families for their years of volunteerism in Abbotsford.”
The 2014 Order of Abbotsford recipients are:
Elizabeth Carter – For outstanding achievements in community sport development and commitment to volunteerism.
For over 40 years Elizabeth Carter known by many as Liz has been the persona of volunteerism, hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to her community and its citizens young and old alike. The contributions by Liz Carter are varied and numerous. Most notably, she has established recreation programs for adults to foster lifelong health and fitness; she is a founding member of Abbotsford Twisters Gymnastics Club; a mentor for others who were establishing non-profit community clubs; an advocate for the Arts; tireless volunteer in numerous multi-sport games hosted in Abbotsford; and many other volunteer contributions including: Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame, CNIB and the Abbotsford Probus Club.
Liz has been recognized for her work in our community on a number of occasions.
A few of the awards she has received are: Year of the Child and Family Achievement Award; Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Matsqui/Abbotsford Recreation Commission; Government of Canada “Celebration 88” Award, for outstanding achievements in amateur sport; B.C. Gymnastics Presidential Award; and Abbotsford Arts Council Arty Award.
Liz is a true community leader as anyone who has worked with her would attest to. She has been instrumental in numerous improvements to organizations that have been established for the betterment of children and adults alike. Any undertaking has been completed with excellence; and she continues to serve in the capacity of a mentor to many and a life long volunteer.
In recognition of her outstanding achievements in community sport development and commitment to volunteerism, Elizabeth – Liz Carter is being honored with the Order of Abbotsford.
Betty Johnston – For outstanding dedication to community sport development and commitment to volunteerism.
Betty Johnston has volunteered throughout her life; and, in particular, since arriving in Abbotsford some 38 years ago. Through her lengthy career in Parks, Recreation and Culture, she has developed a body of knowledge and a variety of skills, which she has shared with local community groups via committees, boards and special events.
She has been actively involved with many organizations including: Abbotsford Soroptimists*; BC Scott Tournament of Hearts Championship 1994; Canadian Mixed Curling Championship 2003; Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley; Christine Lamb Residence Development Committee*; Central Abbotsford Community School; Able Cresting Women’s Slo Pitch Team; Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame*; Canadian Senior Curling Championships 2012*; Abbotsford Children’s Theatre*; Abbotsford Curling Club*; Recreation Society of BC; BC Recreation and Parks Association*; Region 11 of Curl BC; BC Senior Gamers 2006. Operation Red Nose; Cycling Abbotsford; Skills BC Competition*; Abbotsford Photo Arts Club*; and Abbotsford Arts Council*.
Betty was inducted into the Abbotsford Slo Pitch Hall of Fame in 2008; won a silver medal at the 2003 Canadian Senior Women’s Curling Championships; won a Gold Medal at the BC Senior Games Slo Pitch Championship in 2009 and 2012; and received the Abbotsford Arts Council Arty Award in 2013.
Since retiring, Betty has spent an increasingly large amount of time developing photography skill. Through this she found a new way to volunteer, as many groups need pictures of their events and activities.
In recognition of her outstanding dedication to community sport development and commitment to volunteerism, Betty Johnston is being honored with the Order of Abbotsford. *highlighted during Order of Abbotsford Ceremony
K. Barry Marsden – For outstanding achievements in the aerospace industry and dedication to local aerospace growth and innovation.
Barry Marsden began his aviation career in 1959; and was one of the founders of Conair in 1969, one of the world leaders in aerial fire control, and today serves as President and Chairman of Conair Group Inc.
Barry started as a pilot and aircraft maintenance engineer, and accumulated over 10,000 hours of flying in specialty operations. Barry served in several capacities including Operations Manager, Director of Operations, Vice President and General Manager and was President and CEO of Conair from 1992 to August 2007 when he was appointed Chairman.
Capitalizing on the substantial maintenance and engineering capabilities developed in Conair, Barry was also the visionary responsible for pursuing third party maintenance opportunities by building a state of the art, purpose-built maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in 2000 and forming Cascade Aerospace.
Committed to the development of industry and community, Barry has served in many capacities over the years. To name a few: Director of the Abbotsford Airport Authority; Chair of the Abbotsford Economic Development Advisory Committee; Premier of British Columbia’s Economic Advisory Council; Director of the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame; Chairman and Board member of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC); and President and Director of the Aerospace Industry Association of British Columbia.
Barry has also received many awards and accolades throughout his career. To list a few, he was inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame; awarded an Honourary Doctor of Technology degree from the University of the Fraser Valley; and named in the Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Hall of Fame. In 2013, Barry was awarded the Order of Canada and recently received the Order of British Columbia for his contributions to the growth of Canada’s aviation industry as President and CEO of Conair Group Inc. and as the founder of Cascade Aerospace.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements in the aerospace industry and dedication to local aerospace growth and innovation, Barry Marsden is being honored with the Order of Abbotsford.
Charles D. Wiebe – For outstanding service to the local arts community.
With over 24 years experience in real estate, Charles Wiebe has worked almost exclusively in the Investment, Commercial and Industrial marketplace. Licensed as a Realtor since 1989, Charles became a member of the Commercial Division of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board in 1991, is a past President of the BC Commercial council and current Vice-President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. Born, raised and educated in Abbotsford, Charles earned a Diploma in Technology in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering graduating from BCIT with honours.
Charles has devoted a lot of his personal time to his community, by supporting and being a part of an emerging and exciting arts community. Charles currently is the President of the Abbotsford Arts Council; Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Culture for the City of Abbotsford; and Director of The Reach Gallery Museum. As well, you will find Charles performing on local stages with Fraser Valley Stage as an actor/singer; and an MC for many charity events and functions.
In 2006, Charles won Best Supporting Actor for the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton England, for his portrayal of Florian in Fraser Valley Stages’s production of Princess Ida.
Charles is the son of long time City Councillor, Chuck Wiebe and step-son of Christine Wiebe, who has also received the Order of Abbotsford and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee & Diamond Jubilee medals. Charles is married to Carol Wiebe, and has 2 children; Charlie Wiebe and Athena Wiebe.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the local arts community, Charles Wiebe is being honored with the Order of Abbotsford.
The Order of Abbotsford recognizes and honours individuals who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in fields of endeavor benefiting the residents of the City of Abbotsford. As a part of this recognition, one or more recipients is presented with The Citizen of the Year award which honours individual contributions of a citizen who has served with the greatest distinction and excelled in fields of endeavor benefiting the residents of the City of Abbotsford. This year’s Citizen of the Year recipient will be announced at the Canada Day celebrations on July 1, 2014 at Exhibition Park.
All 4 recipients will have their names recorded in the Order of Abbotsford Merit Book, which is maintained by the Office of the Mayor. Nomination forms for the 2015 Order of Abbotsford awards are available on the City’s website.