Lynn Radbourne’s cultural award has some company on the mantle.
Radbourne was named New Westminster’s 2015 Citizen of the Year at the Platinum Award gala on Nov. 5. She previously received the Bernie Legge Cultural award, which means she’s one of only two residents (Tony Antonias is the other) to get the two top awards for individuals in New Westminster.
“I was so surprised and overwhelmed when I got the Bernie Legge award in 2006. To have both of them is the icing on the cake,” she told the Record. “No slacking off now.”
Anyone who has met Radbourne knows there’s little chance of that. In June, Radbourne retired from a two-day-a-week job she enjoyed so she could take on a new volunteer role.
“We became puppy raisers for B.C. Guide Dogs. We couldn’t get our puppy until I retired – you have to spend 24/7 with them,” she said. “That was the big motivator.”
Raising a puppy is just one of many volunteer activities that keeps the longtime New West resident on the go. Radbourne is the worthy matron (like a president) this year for the Order of Eastern Star – Friendship Chapter 75 and founder of the New Westminster Youth Ambassador Society, both of which have chosen the B.C. and Alberta Guidedogs as their charity of choice for 2015 for fundraisers.
“I must admit, I have got in both organizations some amazing people working with me. I couldn’t do it without them,” she said. “And of course, I couldn’t do any of it without Bill because he is such a great help and a good support.”
Bill Radbourne, Lynn’s husband of nearly 22 years, is no slouch on the civic front, having been named Citizen of the Year in 2010. The only other couple to have been awarded Citizen of the Year is Chuck Puchmayr (2008) and Amber Anderson (2014).
Last year, Radbourne established the New Westminster Youth Ambassador Society, which provides mentorship opportunities to young men and women in the city. Part of the program is to get the teens volunteering at different events in the city, including fundraisers for other non-profit groups and setting up seats at Remembrance Day services in the city.
“I feel very proud,” Radbourne said of the society. “It’s an alternative for them to contribute to their community and to represent the city and their sponsors at various functions. They don’t stand around and wait, they pitch right in.”
Pitching in is something Radbourne is skilled at. She’s currently an officer for Daughters of the Nile (female Shriners), a member of the city’s heritage and arts commissions, and secretary of the Massey Theatre Society and the Ancient and Honourable Hyack Anvil Battery; past efforts have included serving as a president of the Hyack Festival Association, coordinator of the Miss New Westminster Hyack program for more than a decade, past-president of the Vagabond Players and secretary of the New Westminster Arts Council. Radbourne was born in Selkirk, Manitoba but moved to Vancouver as a youngster. As a kid she volunteered with Job’s Daughters, Girl Guides and Canadian Girls in Training, and with the drama club, choir and Sunday school in her teens.
“What do I get out of it? I get the personal satisfaction of feeling good that I’m helping. You are a long time underground – make the most of it while you’re above ground. That’s what I try to do,” she said. “I love to be able to volunteer, to help out, to give back to my community.”
More than 50 Royal City residents and businesses were nominated for their business and community excellence at this year’s Platinum Awards, held Nov. 5 ceremony at the Roma Hall in Queensborough:
And the winners are:
* Citizen of the Year: Lynn Radbourne
* Junior Citizen of the Year: Annaliese Meyer
* Bernie Legge Cultural Award: Candice James
* Business Person of the Year: Susan Cartwright-Coates
* Corporate Community Spirit of the Year:Douglas College marketing department and Dynamic Media
* Green Business of the year: Royal Printers
* New Business of the Year - Medium: Polo Health and Longevity Centre
* New Business of the Year – Small: 100 Braid Street Studios
* Creative Marketing Innovator of the Year: Downtown BIA New Westminster
* Business of the Year – Large: Key West Ford
* Business of the Year – Medium: Fratelli Bakery
* Business of the Year – Small: Music Box Academy
* Customer Service Excellence – Business: Canawrap Imaging Inc.
* Customer Service Excellence – Individual: Omar Castro, Save-On-Foods in Royal City Centre
* Not for Profit of the Year (over $1 million): Fraser Works Co-Op and Fraserside Community Services
* Not for Profit of the Year (under $1 million): Camp Kerry Society
w Inclusion Excellence in Business Award: FYidoctors New Westminster
