Joan Gaudet was named Senior of the Year 2018 at the June 4th Committee of the Whole Meeting. Read the Deputy Mayor's speech highlighting Joan's achievements.
Tonight we are here to honour Senior of the Year for 2018, Joan Gaudet. This award is part of a Provincial program that allows each municipality in Ontario the opportunity to honour one outstanding local senior, who after the age of 65 has enriched the social, cultural or civic life of his or her community.
To be considered for the award, the nominee must have made their community a better place to live. Since Joan arrived in Thornbury 12 years ago, more than one person has said, “I don’t know what we would do without her.”
While the award is for the work Joan has done since she arrived in The Blue Mountains, it is hard to talk about that without giving a little background on Joan’s beginnings as a volunteer.
Joan started volunteering at the bright young age of 10 when she began setting up and washing dishes for banquets at the YMCA. Born into a close-knit, hard-working community in Midland, she recalls being the richest child in the area, despite having no plumbing, heat or hydro. However, she was part of a community that valued respect, consideration and had incredible community spirit. Joan has maintained that desire to make a difference in the many communities she has lived in, volunteering in one way or another for over 70 years.
In reading about Joan’s volunteer experiences over the years, the words that consistently come up are “reliable”, “a force”, “commitment”, “energy”, and “enthusiasm.” One person wrote, “I am truly in awe not only of her commitment to the community but of her energy and enthusiasm in everything that she does. She is truly a role model for all of us and a great example of why we all need to get involved.”
Joan is an enthusiastic and committed member of any organization she works with. While working with the Lions, she coordinated the collection of thousands of used eyeglasses over the past few years, including over 2,500 pairs she has personally collected. She also collects and crushes thousands of pop cans yearly and holds home BBQ benefit events for needy individuals or groups.
Joan has a great sense of fun, running about Town on her scooter while putting up posters for causes and events. Anyone who has been to her home can see that a creative and fun loving person must live there. From the immaculate gardens and art to her entryway where signs saying things like, “What if the Hokey Pokey really is what it’s all about” line the walls of her deck. And it’s worth phoning her just to hear the poem that greets those who call when she is not home.
Joan is never one to shy away from anything that is asked of her. She starts each morning at the crack of dawn, cleaning out the drop off bins at the BVO Treasure Shop. The bins fill constantly and we’re told that Joan makes sure to check in throughout the day to empty them, if needed.
Joan has also prepared delicious food for more events than anyone can recall, including food for the schoolchildren during their EQAO exams. She is an active and reliable volunteer for the Marsh St. Centre, and waters the plants at the library. In other words, she is everywhere.
Another attribute people have mentioned is Joan’s affinity for people of all ages. Her circle of friends ranges from children, to her own peers. She takes a special interest in people who need a friend, an advocate, or a shoulder to lean on. As one of them said, “In all these relationships she is accepting and never judging. The community is definitely a richer place because Joan is an active member.”
One thing you may not know about Joan is that she was born Margaret Joan McClung. She credits her great-great aunt Nellie McClung, the famous Canadian feminist, politician, author and social activist with inspiring her desire to fight for what is right. She believes her life of volunteerism has brought immeasurable rewards, and works to encourage parents and grandparents to get their children and grandchildren involved in volunteering.
Joan’s volunteerism has taken her as far as Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras, but I think that I speak for all of us when I say we are glad that Joan has chosen to settle down here.
Joan’s friendly smile and willing heart have earned her the gratitude of so many in our community. I would like you all to join with me in recognizing Joan and her countless contributions to the Town of The Blue Mountains.