Judy Contin with Mayor Stewart Strathearn

​Our first Award of Merit recipient is Judy Contin.  Judy moved to Midland with her husband and their daughter in 1990.  During her first two years as a Midland resident, Judy facilitated the Women in Trades Program at the former Midland Secondary School.​

Judy's first appointment to a volunteer Board of Directors was in 1993 when she was invited to join the Business and Industrial Training Committee.  Since then and over the last two decades, Judy has served on the Community Reach Board and the Midland Police Services Board as both a Councillor​ and a Provincial Representative. ​

Judy's volunteer dedication to the Midland community is very extensive and goes far beyond those just mentioned.  She has served on numerous committees, associations, and campaigns for the past 30 years all for the betterment of Midland and its residents.  ​

These include:

• 4 Years - Safe Communities Steering Committee & Falls Prevention Subcommittee

• 6 Years - Midland Cultural Steering Committee & later the Cultural Committee

• 15 Years - Winterfest Committee

• 2016 Ontario Senior Games Committee

• 15 Years - Midland Senior Council

• 2 Years - LHIN Alternative Level of Care Community Advisory Committee

• 4 Years - Huronia Area Volunteer Association

• 4 Years - Huronia Fundraising Network

• NSSRC Capital Campaign, Mid-lennium Committee, Atlantic Challenge Committee, Olympic Torch Committee​
  

Judy has been the Executive Director of Askennonia Senior Centre since 1994, as it has nurtured growth from 148 to 1320 members.  As Askennonia partners to support many other community organizations that have services that benefit seniors, Judy has represented the seniors perspective on many volunteer committees.

In 1999, Judy was appointed Official Town Crier of Midland and delivered 52 cries during our Mid-lennieum Celebrations in 2000. She has proudly represented Midland at Town Crying Competitions in Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania, England, Victoria and throughout Ontario. Shouting out Midland's praises for 20 years from 1999-present.

In addition to committee engagement Judy served 10 years as an elected Councillor for the Town of Midland from 2000-2010 where she also represented the Town on numerous Council committees as well as many external committees. 

Last but certainly not least, Judy served as Midland's Tall Ships Captain's Ambassador in 2013 & 2019.

Her dedication to Midland, its citizens and those of our neighbouring municipalities is an inspiration to all and I can think of a better candidate for the prestigious Award of Merit. Her accomplishments are deserving of this acknowledgement and it is with great respect and thanks that I present this award to Judy Contin.

Rene Hackstetter with Mayor Stewart Strathearn

​Our next and final Award of Merit recipient is Rene Hackstetter.  Rene was born in Germany but moved to Canada with his family as an infant. He attended and graduated from Midland Secondary School in 1971 and from there he went on to study Social and Political Thought and Theology at York University.​

​From early on in his life Rene has had a passion for heritage both built and cultural.  This passion has guided him throughout his life in the positions he has undertaken in his work career, as well as in the roles he has assumed as a volunteer.

Rene started his lifelong devotion to preserving Midland's heritage back in 1971 when he was hired by to work at Midland's local historic site Sainte-Marie among the Hurons.  Rene once said that “Heritage is where we came from, and gives us a sense of where we're going"

Rene has served the community extensively by volunteering his time on numerous committees and boards, fundraisers and projects including the Midland Heritage Committee, the Huronia Museum Board, Friends of the Midland Public Library and Doors Open Huronia and Out of the Cold.  These are only a few examples of his service to the community.   

In between he has been a resource to the Midland Heritage community, working with local museums mentoring young people and sharing historical pictures. 

Rene has also been a source of information for the public by sharing his vast personal collection of historic pictures and postcards.  His collections have been featured in the Midland Mirror's “Portraits of the Past".  He also founded and continues to administer several Facebook sites where he features his collection of photographs and provides historical information. 

In 2013, Rene was presented with the Town of Midland Heritage Award.  The following year he received the prestigious Ontario Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his more than 40 years of work preserving local history. 

The Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by the Honourable David Onley.  - recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to keeping our history alive for the benefit of future generations.

It is with great pride and sincere appreciation that I present, on behalf of Council and the citizens of Midland, the Award of Merit to Rene Hackstetter, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to keeping our Midland's history alive for the benefit of all of us as well as future generations.​

​Our next Award of Merit recipient is Denis Laurin.  Denis grew up in Lafontaine, married   and moved to Midland where he resides with his family.  Denis' family roots are in farming; however, after working in various roles, as well as serving as a volunteer firefighter, Denis finally realized his dream of becoming a full-time firefighter where he serves for the City of Barrie.

Denis' desire to serve the community extends beyond his career as a Fire Fighter.  Denis has a big heart and champions causes that help the less fortunate or those in crisis situations.   In the past he has dedicated his time to helping others by facilitating a food program, a gardening program and a teach cooking program, all of which he established and offered for free. 

In 2010 Denis took on the role of a Street Outreach Worker with the Town of Midland and the County of Simcoe as part of the Street Outreach Program.  The program's focus was on the homeless, those suffering from addictions, prostitution, and trafficking.  Since its inception, the program has evolved to one around homelessness and is now organized through the Salvation Army.  Denis takes his part time position at the Salvation Army, far beyond his 26 hours per week to make himself available to those in need 24/7.  He is 'the go to guy' for any matter that affects the homeless and disadvantaged.

Since 2010 and despite the commitments of full-time work, Denis has continued to volunteer a significant amount of his time as a Street Outreach Worker and Program Coordinator with the Salvation Army.  He is a prominent figure throughout the Town for those in need.  Denis walks the communities in Midland and Penetanguishene where he finds people hard sleeping, camping or couch surfing and helps bring them into The Guesthouse Shelter system or links them to the County's hotel voucher system as well as a network of social services.

Denis goes beyond the call of duty by building relationships.  He follows people serving time for minor offences at the Central North Correction Centre and assists them in obtaining the services they need to get them back on their feet. 

Denis continues to be involved in the community availing his time to make Midland and the surrounding community a better place for all residents.  He is a true champion and inspiration.

It is a distinct privilege to present to Mr. Denis Laurin, on behalf of Council and all citizens, the Award of Merit in honour of his considerable services to all in our community.​

​Our next recipient was born and raised in Tay Township, attended St. Theresa's High School in Midland, and went on to earn a Diploma in Business Administration from Georgian College in 1994, followed by a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration at Lakehead University. In 1998 he attained his professional designation as a Chartered Accountant. He is a member of the Harvard Business School President's Club with certificates in Leadership Best Practices, Strategy Building and Sustaining Competitive Advantage.

In 2002 he joined Weber Manufacturing, an internationally recognized leader in custom tool manufacturing, and worked his way up to President in 2007.

He is a remarkable business leader who successfully led the growth of Weber Manufacturing in Midland while championing youth apprenticeship for the skilled trades, benefitting our area's youth and manufacturers.

While serving as President, he pursued his passion of promoting skilled trades. He has been actively involved with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) –working with Georgian College, the County of Simcoe, school boards and regional high schools to open the lines of communication with industry and generate interest and awareness for careers in skilled trades.

His leadership has led to industry tours, Career Days, Skilled Trade Expos and speaking at public events. These efforts have significantly contributed to the 800% increase in enrolment over two years for students entering the General Machinist program through Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.  He serves as a Director on a number of local non-profit boards including the Audit Committee for the Simcoe Country District School Board, the Advisory Committee to Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation and has previously served as President and Treasurer for Credit Counseling of Simcoe County.

It is my esteemed pleasure to present the Award of Merit to Chris Edwards.  ​

​In June of 2013 the first “Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival" was held in Midland. Over 10,000 butter tarts were sold within hours of the start of the festival. By noon there wasn't a single surviving butter tart in downtown Midland.  It was then that the potential of the “Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival" and its benefits to the Town's tourism and local businesses became apparent.  

The festival came about because Barb Rowlandson had an idea.  She gathered a couple of supporters and set out to establish the first “Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival". Barb worked to get the permissions and support required to close a street for a day. She sought out sponsors and vendors and helped to organize the advertising, marketing and promotions needed to make the festival a success. On the day of the festival she was everywhere dealing with the hundreds of issues that naturally occur in an event of this magnitude.

For the first few years Barb led the event with the help and support of the Downtown Midland Business Improvement Area, the support of her friends and a growing group of enthusiastic volunteers.   

Since its inception the festival has grown dramatically. Last summer, the 6th “Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival" attracted an estimated 65,000 people. The 200 participating vendors sold somewhere upwards of 150,000 butter tarts. But the success of festival goes beyond the one-day celebration. The festival has immensely helped Midland's tourism efforts. It has drawn comment on radio and TV stations and media outlets across the province. It has even been mentioned in the New York Times. The coverage generated is far beyond anything that the Town could have anticipated or afforded to buy.

Thanks to Barb's vision and her persistence we have an event we can all take pride in - an event that brings a great many benefits to the Town. 

It is my pleasure to present the Award of Merit to Barb Rowlandson – queen of the butter tart. ​

​Kathy Willis has been a strong feminist advocate in the anti-violence movement in Midland and throughout Simcoe County.  Kathy is the Executive Director of Huronia Transition Homes, a charitable organization in Simcoe County working to end all violence against all women.  She runs the women's shelter, La Maison Rosewood Shelter in Midland.  Under Kathy's leadership, Huronia Transition Homes has grown from a single program women's shelter to a multi-program county-wide organization offering a women's shelter with specialized counselling and support services for women and their children who have experienced abuse or have been exposed to violence.  

Kathy's vision to build a program that went beyond conventional programs for women who have experienced violence and provide opportunities to mitigate the impacts of trauma, isolation and poverty resulted in the establishment of “Operation Grow". She has ensured that the revenue derived from the sale of the herbs and vegetables provides sustainability to Operation Grow and helps fund the programs and services of Huronia Transition Homes.  Kathy is currently working on plans to grow the social enterprise even more.

Kathy is an advocate for the inclusion of all women in our community.  Her passion and dedication has been honoured with many awards.

She is an inspiring and passionate speaker at community events in Midland such as the Annual December 6th Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Walk a Mile in her shoes, many collaborative events and vigils to show solidarity with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women campaign.  Kathy speaks in solidarity with those who have been killed and wounded as a result of hatred and bigotry and in support of those who seek equality, affordable housing, dignity and peace and invites all members of the community to do their part to end violence against women.   

Kathy currently chairs the CAS-Violence Against Women collaboration committee in Simcoe County.

It is, indeed, a pleasure to present the Award of Merit to Kathy Willis. ​