Every year at the Northern BC Winter Games, two special awards are presented to individuals in the Host Community.  This page provides a list of Award Recipients as well as the Award Criteria used to select the recipients.

 

Award Recipients
The recipients are determined by the Host Community Board and presented by the Host Community and the Northern BC Winter Games Society during the Games.

Award Criteria

Sheilagh McCullough Award
Sheilagh was very involved in the community and her church. One of the things that gave her great satisfaction was her work as a sign language teacher; she enjoyed working children with hearing impairments and their parents. 

When the 1997 Games in Terrace were announced and the Games Office opened (in July 1996) Sheilagh was the first volunteer to walk in the door. She wanted to help get it going. She was told she would be called when she was needed. After about a week with no call she just came back to the office. Again she was told she would be called when she was needed. She just kept coming in. She became the number-two person (volunteer office assistant) dealing with day-to-day issues, answering questions, organizing volunteers, etc. 

Throughout this time she was getting over cancer. About 5 weeks prior to the Games she got a report about the cancer - it was positive - the cancer was gone! Not only was she looking forward to the Games but the trip she was planning for about a week after the Games to take her kids and grandkids to Disneyland. 
Sadly, three weeks before the Games, she died suddenly of heart problems. The 1997 Host Board decided she needed to be recognized. They dedicated the 1997 Games to her memory and created this award.

The Sheilagh McCullough Award is presented each year to a volunteer who goes above and beyond the call of duty and shows a real and unprecedented commitment to the Games.

Ken Davies Memorial Award - "Spirit of the North Award"
Ken Davies was one of the founders of the Northern BC Winter Games. He was determined to offer northern athletes a sporting competition unique to the north. It was also Ken's idea that the Games be rotated to different communities. The Northern BC Winter Games has led to the development of sporting facilities, coaching and officials experience and increased athlete development in throughout the north. 

Those who knew Ken remember him as a powerful thinker, an able administrator and a gifted teacher. He epitomized the idea that "together we can do anything"! Ken who was from Fort St. John, succumbed to cancer in 1983. 

The Ken Davies Memorial Award was established to by the Northern BC Winter Games Society to honour this man who had contributed so significantly to development and sustainability of the Northern BC Winter Games. 

The Ken Davies Award is presented annually to an athlete, coach or organizer who best exemplifies the "Spirit of the North". Ken would be proud to know that there was an award being given in his name to a person who displays the spirit of the Games that he helped to develop. 

The Ken Davies Award is presented each year to an athlete, coach or organizer who best exemplifies the "Spirit of the North" and the "Spirit of the Northern BC Winter Games". 

Recipient Biographies

Sheilagh McCullough Memorial Award

2010 Recipient - Terry Ramin

Born and bred in Prince Rupert, Terry Ramin has been involved in sports and volunteerism in this community for many years.  He has been a competitive athlete in Swimming, Waterpolo, Archery, Rugby, Floor Hockey, Ball Hockey, Triathlon and Long Distance Canoe Racing.  As a volunteer for the Prince Rupert 2010 Northern BC Winter Games, Terry was the face of billet recruitment, whether in the Games Office or at business staff meetings.  He could be found walking the downtown streets, even soliciting billeting volunteers in the H1N1 lineup at the Health Unit.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand to any one of the Directors or Chairs who asked.  His tenacity made him the ideal billet recruiter and his efforts resulted in a very successful billeting campaign.

2009 Recipients - Carol Podbisky and Jurgen Traude

Carol Podbisky was new to Mackenzie, moving there in January 2008.  The Games became a way for her to become involved in the community.  A person who does not like to be in the spot light and prefers to be behind the scenes helping in anyway possible, Carol enthusiastically took on the role of managing the day to day registration and assignment of volunteers.  Although she was unfamiliar with the the software, she quickly mastered the program and identified areas that could be improved upon for future Games.  Carol was committed to entering data and completing tasks that were asked of her, even if it was not in her area of responsibility.  Leading up to the Games, she fielded numerous phone calls and e-mails, responding to various requests in a timely fashion.  She spent many lonely hours on the computer entering data, updating lists for Directors and preparing reports for meetings.  Her dedication and commitment to the Games was unquestioned and she received numerous accolades from Games President and BC Games staff.  Affectionately known as VDEC, Volunteer Data Entry Chick, her contributions and efforts were appreciated and did not go unnoticed.

Jurgen Traude inspired his Directorate through his dedication and commitment as a Chair.  He volunteered to help out at all special events and it did not gone unnoticed by his peers that he traveled from McLeod Lake to attend meetings and complete Games business.  On a cool November evening, he drove 21/2 hours along Highway 39 to follow a bus full of runners for the Torchlighting Ceremony, to be sure that traffic behind him would slow down and keep the runners safe.  He fondly stated, "It was the shortest trip in the longest time!".  Keeping with the spirit of the Games, he ensured that the torch stayed lit throughout its journey from the junction to its permanent location in front of the Mackenzie Recreation Centre.  He accommodated the other Directors with last minute requests to ensure that the Games would go off without a hitch, from radios to portable speakers.  We salute and thank him for his commitment to the Mackenzie 2009 Northern BC Winter Games. 

2007 Recipients - Connie Richter and Gail Weber

Connie Richter first coached a junior curling team at the Northern BC Winter Games in 1989.  During the period 1988-1994 she held many high-ranking posts in the curling world, including most notably, District 6 Convener on the BC Ladies Curling Association Board of Directors, and President of both the Fort St. John General Club and Ladies Club.  Along the way, Connie has mentored young people in the sport including her daughters Marnie and Stacy.  Connie just recently retired following a 15-year career as a teachers' aid in School District #60. 
Gail Weber first volunteered as a phoning Mom for the Fort St. John Figure Skating Club in 1974 and proudly witnessed her son Danny, and daughters Darci and Dawn progress through the figure skating levels.  She has held every position on the Board, including President for many years.  Gail is currently the Skate Canada BC Section Chairperson.  
Connie and Gail were Co-Presidents of the 1994 Northern BC Winter Games in Fort St John.  When no bids were received to host the 2000 Games, the NBCWG Society asked them if they would consider forming a committee to bring the Games to Fort St. John.  They graciously accepted the challenge. Connie and Gail also sat on the Board of Directors of the NBCWG Society in 1993, 1994, 1999 and 2000. For decades, these fine ladies have volunteered in every capacity imaginable at every major curling and figure skating event in Fort St. John.  Naturally, the 2007 NBCWG were no exception, as Connie acted as the curling Sport Chair and Gail was the accounting room chairperson for figure skating.  Connie and Gail epitomize the spirit and energy of the Peace Country and are very honoured to have received the prestigious Sheilagh McCullough Memorial Award.  They have always answered the bell whenever their drive and experience was called upon, and are truly two of this community's greatest resources.

Ken Davies Memorial Award

2010 Recipient - Kevin Leach

Kevin Leach, resident of Prince Rupert since 1988, has long distinguished himself as a “doer” in the community.  As a teacher, he coached and fundraised for the High School Track and Field team for many years.  Married with two sons, Kevin has coached minor soccer and basketball.  He played an integral role in the Prince Rupert Minor Soccer Association, at one time heading a team that attempted to have another field developed for the community.  He worked his way through massive layers of bureaucratic red-tape, seeking funding from a variety of agencies only to be thwarted after many months of hard work.  While the failure of a project to which one committed so much time and energy would have dismayed many, Kevin continued to immerse himself in new endeavours. 

As Vice-Principal of Prince Rupert Secondary School, a board member of the Prince Rupert Friendship House, and current President of the local Principal’s Association, Kevin is known for his no-nonsense approach and incredible work ethic.  When invited to serve the community again as Director of Sport for the Prince Rupert 2010 Northern BC Winter Games, Kevin didn’t hesitate.  In this role, he has developed a dynamic team around him – always leading by example.  No one has worked harder and longer than Kevin Leach for these Games.  His commitment to the betterment of our community and his dedication to service is an inspiration to those around him.  As a community leader and organizer, he truly exemplifies the Spirit of the North and the Spirit of the Northern BC Winter Games.

2009 Recipients - Pat Cowan and Duane Kryschuk

Pat Cowan took on her task as the Torchlighting Chair with such exuberance and determination that the team surrounding her could not help but pick up on her energy.  It was not an easy task as she faced many roadblocks along the way but she tackled these with her Newfoundland determination.  It was clear from the beginning that the Torchlighting Ceremony was going to be youth-centered.  Coined the "Night of Lights", this all important event served as a countdown to the Games and was the beacon for this community celebration.  From the incredible organization of 55 of Mackenzie's fine young athletes who ran with the torch from the junction of Highway 39 into town, to the specially designed toques and the helium balloons they all held as they ran as a group into the town's Spirit Square, it was evident to all that this was going to be a night to remember.  This event kindled the spark that became the flame the volunteers in Mackenzie held within them and carried with them through to the Games.  It was the communities' pleasure to honour the efforts and "Northern Spirit" in presenting this award to Pat.

Duane Kryschuk has been very involved in participating, coaching and organizing sport in Mackenzie.  He believes strongly that sport is important to youth and although his children have long since graduated, he is still very involved in community coaching.  Some examples of his commitment to youth and sport include coaching minor baseball for nine years, along with holding the position of President of the Board for the Mackenzie Minor Baseball Association.  His help has extended into the Figure Skating Club and he has run evening basketball drop-ins for elementary students.  Many highschool students have spent time after school and during evening practices in the Mackenzie Secondary School gym under the instruction of this fine community coach.  His volunteerism extended into the Mackenzie 2009 Northern BC Winter Games when in partnership with his wife Dorinda, he took on the role of Venue Management Co-Chair for the Sport Directorate.  In this role, Duane ensured that all venues had what was needed for a successful competition.

2007 Recipient - Wayne Cheesman

Being born in Calgary, Wayne Cheesman began life as an Albertan but moved with his family to the Fort St. John area at a very early age. He attended small rural schools, graduated from the local high school and went on to gain an undergraduate degree in Education from UBC and his Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Simon Fraser University.  While it was not his intention to return to his home turf to work he in fact did that, "working his way around the parking lot" as he refers to it - serving for 12 years as a school principal and then working his way through various district office positions until spending his last six years before retiring recently as the Superintendent of Schools for the Peace River North School District.  Wayne has always believed in the importance of providing activities for young people.  In particular, when those activities were sport, it was important that everyone who wanted to participate, regardless of their ability, had that opportunity.  Throughout Wayne's 32-year career with School District #60, he was always 'on deck' each time the Games were hosted in Fort St. John, to ensure that school facilities were made readily available and staff was available, if they chose to do so, to contribute to the success of Games.  Wayne knew Ken Davies.  He remembers when Ken and others including Jack Philpot and Bill McColl, first floated the idea of providing an opportunity for residents of the north to participate in organized sport.  With the leadership these individuals provided, Fort St. John hosted the first Northern BC Winter Games in 1975 and again the following year.  During the Fort St. John 2007 Northern BC Winter Games, Wayne served as Co-Director of Transportation.  Wayne was a real credit to the Board of Directors and became known for his dedication, quiet leadership and most of all his willingness to accommodate the needs of others. "This was another opportunity," he says, "to give something back to the community that has been very good to me."  Wayne is deeply honoured to have been given the Ken Davies Memorial Award.