On Saturday, Feb. 22 the Ladysmith and District Historical Society honoured locals for their hard work to preserve Ladysmith's history with Heritage Awards.
The event at the Eagles Hall highlighted projects and history in the Ladysmith area, with special guests including Kirstin Clausen, executive director of Heritage B.C. and Tricia McKay, acting mayor of Ladysmith. Also on hand for the presentations were Ben Maartman, CVRD area H director; Jesse McClinton, CVRD area G director and Duck Paterson, Town of Ladysmith councillor.
The evening started off with welcoming remarks from Quentin Goodbody, the chair of the historical society.
“All aspects of our heritage are important," he said. "We cherish our natural setting, the beauty of our seascapes and landscapes, our forests, and the life within. We have a rich and varied cultural heritage resulting from our area's history. And while each one of us reflects on our own individual heritage, our community character reflects not only the diversity of cultural heritage within it, but also the degree of recognition, respect and understanding we afford this diversity. We believe it’s fitting that we recognize those that have contributed to the preservation and promotion of heritage in our community over the past year. The annual Ladysmith Heritage Awards, which are offered jointly by the LDHS and the town are presented to businesses, individuals and groups, that have played a significant role in preserving or promoting local heritage through their actions and initiatives. Recipients for the awards are chosen from nominations received from the community.”
The award event was the historical society's highlight of BC Heritage Week. The theme for this year's B.C. heritage week was pastimes and past times. Kirsten Clausen, the executive director of Heritage BC was an invited guest of the group and she spoke about the importance of heritage and the broadening of heritage throughout the province and how it encompasses many walks of life especially in small communities.
The first award was presented to Daniel Elliot for “creating a pathway toward reconciliation through his art and mentorship, and promoting understanding and respect between indigenous and settler worlds.“
The second Heritage Award, “for preserving the story of Vancouver Island's early schools through recreation of the Koksilah one room school within their 'Wheels of the Past' Heritage Park,” was presented to Shirley and Harry Blackstaff, longtime supporters of the community’s industrial heritage history and artifacts.
The Ladysmith Lions Club was presented with the third Heritage Award for continued service to the community, including its role in preservation of the Agricultural Hall and provision of the first and only sign for the building, in 2024.
The fourth and final Heritage Award was handed to brothers Frank and Mike Crucil for “preserving the heritage of the site of their new residential building by naming it 'Dalby's on Dogwood' and for commissioning street side storyboards illustrating the area's history.” The brothers could not make the event and the award was accepted, on their behalf, by Mike’s son Stefan Crucil and daughter Alissa Styan.
The event had a ’theatrical twist’ added just before each presentation. Local storytellers Steven Methot and Brenda Birch read ‘letters from the past’ as they would pertain to the particular subject of each award.
Goodbody also mentioned various volunteers who have given their time to the historical society and he also extended huge thanks to the Nanaimo Airport (YCD). Dave Devana, airport president and CEO, and Gord Horth, Ladysmith’s director on the airport commission, were both in attendance, and Goodbody acknowledged the support YCD has given to the event by being its main sponsor and support of the society in the past.
“Music, dance and storytelling are all part of our shared heritage. They are a tangible touchstone with the past that creates a sense of belonging, they root us in place and nourish our spirits. Our heritage is at the heart of our families and of our community,” said McKay. “Heritage Week is intended to be a vehicle to stimulate awareness of heritage resources within communities. It is also a time to acknowledge the actions of citizens and organizations that have made a positive contribution in keeping heritage alive today. Tonight is our opportunity to honour the many dedicated and passionate volunteers who work year round to preserve and protect Ladysmith's heritage resources and treasures. I hope you will join me in thanking Clinton Goodbody for his leadership and the many volunteers of the Ladysmith and District Historical Society.”
The ceremony ended with an opportunity for the audience to meet the awardees and have a piece of the special cake that was decoration with an icing picture of Ladysmith’s First Avenue from 1901. Goodbody said the cake was a celebration of the 125th anniversary of Ladysmith receiving its name.
