The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal was awarded to approximately 50 residents of the Saltcoats-Melville constituency on Wednesday, January 11th at a celebration held at the Melville Horizon Credit Union Center.
When asked about how she felt after receiving the award, MP Cathay Wagantall explained she was “Incredibly emotional. It was quite an honour having had the opportunity to be at the memorial for the Queen in Ottawa and then come see these awards presented. It’s an amazing experience.”
The Platinum Jubilee Medal is a tangible way to publicly acknowledge the work and dedication of those who are actively contributing to our province and country, and is a way to honour Her late Majesty’s memory.
MLA for Saltcoats-Melville Warren Kaeding greeted the crowd by saying, “On behalf of premier Scott Moe and the Government of Saskatchewan, it is truly an honour to be involved in the medal presentation for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award Ceremony held here today. We have so many talented individuals in our constituency that have truly contributed to the social fabric of our communities, our province and our country.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan) was created in 2022 and approved by His Honour the Honourable Russ Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, representative of The King in the province. The medal design was directly approved by Her late Majesty at Windsor Castle. The medal is being awarded to 7,000 deserving citizens through collaboration with provincial partners to ensure an equitable representation of all regions and all fields of endeavor.
Kim Wondrasek of Langenburg said, “I was blown away when I learned that I was receiving the award. It means the world. There are so many volunteers in all of our communities who should be recognized and to be one of them that is recognized is very special. Volunteers work really hard and I know that every single recipient here today deserved it.” Wondrasek mentioned that every recipient at the event could name multiple other recipients who deserved the award as well and was very thankful for all the volunteers who help out.
Town of Esterhazy Mayor, Grant Forster acknowledged, “It’s very humbling. I never expected anything like this to ever come my way. I got involved in things because I liked doing it and because I wanted to, certainly not for the accolades. It certainly is humbling and I do appreciate it.”
Recipients from the area include:
Garry Richards (Bangor) for Agriculture, Brian Jones (Bangor) for Volunteer Service, Wanda Appel (Bangor) for Military, Joe Andrew (Bredenbury) for Volunteer Service, Amanda Kornaga (Churchbridge) for Education, Carter Prier (Churchbridge) for Volunteer Service, Edward Wirth (Churchbridge) for Volunteer Service, Connie Sakundiak (Churchbridge) for Volunteer Service, Don Hood (Esterhazy) for Health Care, Reg Leidl (Saskatoon) for Education, Tyler Metz (Esterhazy) for Volunteer Service, Grant Forster (Esterhazy) for Public Service, Don Halyk (Esterhazy) for Sports, Neil Ottenbreit (Grayson) for Volunteer Service, Cherylynn Walters (Grayson) for Volunteer Service, Brian Ingjaldson (Langenburg) for Volunteer Service, Kim Wondrasek (Langenburg) for Volunteer Service, Patti Zerr (Langenburg) for Arts, Henrietta Scholz (Langenburg) for Volunteer Service, Jami Andres (Langenburg) for Volunteer Service, Ron Buchberger (Langenburg) for Business/Commerce, Kevin Popp (MacNutt) for Volunteer Service, Leisa Thiele (Melville) for Military, Brian Hicke (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Lisa Rathgeber (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Leonard Wassill (Melville) for Business/Commerce, Darren Wandy (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Lisa Alspach (Melville) for Health Care, Carol Streelasky (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Johan Van Zyl (Melville) for Public Service, Colleen Gorecki (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Aubrey Ralph May (Regina) for Volunteer Service, Geraldine Knudsen (Saltcoats) for Volunteer Service, Shirley Pearson (Saltcoats) for Volunteer Service, Jack Dawes (Saltcoats) for Agriculture, Don Bernath (Stockholm) for Volunteer Service, Renata Arnason (Tantallon) for Volunteer Service, Jennifer Firomski (Tantallon) for Volunteer Service, Dominique Hayden (Yorkton) for Military, Pat Ohnander (Stockholm) for Volunteer Service, Geri Miller (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Jeannette Cloutier (Melville) for Arts, Walter Oucharek (Melville) for Environment, Merv Ozirny (Melville) for Volunteer Service, John Svenson (Melville) for Sports, Darryll (Bert) Bartake (Melville) for Sports, Brian Morris (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Ronald Haskell (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Tyrone Mogenson (Melville) for Protective Services, Jim Schmidt (Melville) for Volunteer Service, Rick Patterson (Lemberg) for Agriculture, Walter Streelasky (Melville) for Mayor for The City of Melville and Hon. Cathay Wagantall (Esterhazy) for Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville.
Saskpro owner and Warrior football volunteer Tyler Metz explained his thoughts upon receiving the award. “It’s very humbling. Obviously, I was quite excited when I heard the news. My first reaction was disbelief. Immediately, I was humbled and thought of all the people I’ve worked with over the years through our volunteer ventures and I think that was the big thing, thinking of all the people; it always takes a team not just an individual. Being part of such an awesome community, it makes it easy to want to help when there’s so many good people.”
“It’s an honour and very unexpected. You wonder how this all came about, but it’s a real honour,” Carter Prier of Churchbridge explained. He added his goal is always to help out whenever possible and is very thankful for the award.
Since 1967, Canada has carried on the tradition of issuing commemorative medals. These are distinct honours that recognize the work and dedication of Canadians, particularly on joyous occasions such as royal events and national anniversaries. Modern Canadian commemorative medals include the Canadian Centennial Medal in 1967, The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, the 125th Anniversary of Confederation Medal in 1992, The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Jami Andres of Langenburg said, “Initially, when I found out I was nominated, I was very surprised because I didn’t know how it worked or how I was nominated, and it was right before Christmas so it was a good little pre-Christmas thing to know I was recognized for my volunteer services. Now, actually having it makes your heart full knowing people appreciate the volunteering that you do.”
Award recipient Connie Sakundiak of Churchbridge mentioned, “It’s a great honour for me to be here because all of the things I work with are committees. To be singled out is very special.”
In 2005, the first officially recognized provincial commemorative medals created by Alberta and Saskatchewan marked the 100th anniversary of their entry into Confederation. The medals were created through provincial legislation and received Royal Assent by the Lieutenant Governor. They were also approved for wear by the Government of Canada and have been integrated in the Order of Precedence for orders, decorations, and medals.
“It’s quite an honour,” Don Halyk of Esterhazy reflected. “It’s so nice to receive something for all your hard work that you’ve put into place. I had three daughters, yet I coached from snowflake to bantam in Whitewood and in Esterhazy, those people are hard to find. It’s a tremendous honour and I cherish it.”