• BC Liberal leadership hopeful Andrew Wilkinson was in Duncan recently for a community meeting at White Spot.
His message was that the NDP plans to weaken the public’s voice in provincial government, and he has a plan to prevent that.
At the meeting he mingled with locals and supporters.
• BC Liberal leadership candidate Michael Lee also got some love from the area recently.
Alana DeLong, candidate for the Nanaimo-North Cowichan seat in the last election, has endorsed Lee to be the next leader of the BC Liberal Party.
“I am proud to endorse Michael to become the next leader of the BC Liberal Party,” said DeLong. “He will broaden our appeal and strengthen our coalition in British Columbia.”
• The 60 year milestone for the Clements Centre was recognized recently at a gathering of board members from across the decades.
Guests enjoyed a trip down memory lane through a poster and scrap book display. Old friends and new acquaintances then sat down for a true tea party to reminisce and celebrate all that has been accomplished in Cowichan.
“We are so much closer to our vision of an inclusive community, where people are accepted, included and celebrated,” said Executive Director Dominic Rockall. “In 1965 the agency delivered services from a building behind the old Standard Oil Gas Station at the corner of Trunk Road and the highway. To have family members who remember leasing land to the agency attend our tea party was something to celebrate. Our roots in this community are deep.”
Over the past 60 years, Clements Centre Society has been governed by 242 board directors who volunteered their time, skills, knowledge and passion to making this community a better place to live. Now, with eight locations in the Valley and approximately 150 employees, Clements Centre continues to support families of the Cowichan Valley with pride. The Clements Centre thanked these community leaders for working towards a community in which all citizens are included, valued and celebrated.
• Ruth Fenner of the Somenos Women’s Institute says the organization is standing against gender-based violence this winter.
The group fully supports the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which takes place Nov. 25 to Dec. 16, and they specifically are fully in support of a declaration published by the Associated Country Women of the World that states in part:
“Violence against women affects communities in every country of the world, and in every generation. The impact is not just the physical and psychological damage done to woman, but also weakening of communities. Gender-based violence retards development of safe, peaceful, healthy and productive nations.
“The Associated Country Women of the World stands against all forms of violence against women, and encourages individuals, communities, nation states and international bodies to raise awareness of this crucial issue.
“Violence against women and girls must stop, and this can only be effected when people are educated about its impacts, when societies stand united in rejecting its acceptance, and when support and relief facilities are properly funded to protect victims and survivors.
“By connecting women around the world, advocating for them when their voices are not heard, and uniting them in solidarity for change, ACWW takes a stand against gender-based violence all year round. These 16 Days of Activism are an important part of this work.”
• More than 450 Aboriginal students in B.C., including a number from Cowichan, have received more than $1.3 million in scholarships from the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society, administered by the Victoria Foundation.
The funds support their studies at public post-secondary institutions throughout the province. The awards are designed to help remove barriers for higher education for Indigenous peoples. Students receive awards of $1,000 to $5,000.
“Breaking down barriers and opening the doors to education and training for Indigenous students will equip them with the tools to thrive and succeed,” said Melanie Mark, minister for Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “Education has the power to transform lives. Investing in education opportunities for Indigenous students is aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action that our government is committed to supporting.”
Cowichan Valley recipients include, Taylor James of Chemainus, Alyssa Elliott, Jocelyn Benji, Isabelle Williams, Jaulie LeBlanc, Linday Myers and Helena Nemanishen of Duncan, Alison Franks of Shawnigan Lake, and Montana Livingstone of Lake Cowichan.
• The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting last week, and with it, a vote to choose its directors for 2017-18.
Directors acclaimed at 2017 AGM are Brenda Burch, Social Media is Not Simple; Lynn Clark, Maple Bay Manor; Chris Duncan CPA, CA - Partner and Business Advisor, MNP; Arlene Johnson, G3 Mechatronics; Danielle Killam, CPA, Senior Manager, Grant Thornton LLP; Penny Lehan, Lawyer at Coleman Fraser Whittome Lehan; Carol Messier, and Maple Bay Marina.
Directors continuing their term are Karen Bittner, MBA, FCMA, CPA, Royal LePage; George Gates, Farm Table Inn; Ruth Hartmann, Hartmann Interior Design; Moira Hauk, Coastal Community Credit Union; Julie Scurr, CPA, CMA, Coast Salish Insurance; and Marsha Todd, Unique Home Health Care.
Appointed directors are Jean Cardno of Duncan Downtown Business Improvement Area; Keith Chicquen from Vancouver Island University; Cathy Robertson from Community Futures Cowichan; and Amy Melmock of Economic Development Cowichan.
Appointed liaisons to the Chamber include John Horgan, councillor, City of Duncan; and Jon Lefebure, mayor of the Municipality of North Cowichan.
As per Chamber bylaws, the 2017/18 executive will be elected at the next board of directors meeting.
• The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and the CPA Western School of Business congratulate Duncan’s Jaime Court, Sarah Darling, Kevin Gamble, Anthony Jensen, Prabhjit Nijjar, Ryan Prescott, and Jordan Zaharia for passing the multi-day national Common Final Examination.
The exam written in September 2017, was administered by CPAWSB.
“Congratulations to 833 B.C. CPA students for successfully passing the CFE,” said Heather Banham, FCPA, FCGA, chair of CPABC. “On behalf of the CPABC board of directors and CPABC, I welcome them to the ranks of B.C.’s chartered professional accountants. We are proud of them, and wish each of them a successful career.”
• Members of the Mid-Island Pirates Baseball Club stepped up the plate with what recipients are calling a “huge” contribution to the PiF Crew’s 5th Annual Heat the Street drive.
Team members dropped off more than seven bags of coats, blankets, sleeping bags, tuques and more.
“These will be distributed to those who need them, including children and adults,” said Cathy King, PiF Crew coordinator, and assistant manager of Island Savings Cowichan Commons Insurance.
“These young men should be very proud of their efforts. Our community is very lucky to have young men like this helping those in need.”
The Mid Island Pirates Baseball Club is made up of players aged 15-18 from Cowichan Bay to Nanaimo and play in the B.C. Premier Baseball League.
