Recent History – 1998
By Cees Mond, Daily News Staff, Jan 4, 1999
Long-time volunteers Giles Dudley and Judi McGowan won the male and female Citizen of the Year Awards respectively in front of 120 people at Thursday night’s Chamber of Commerce New Year’s Eve Gala Ball
Chosen from a field of 10 candidates, Dudley was chosen for his dedication to the community of Dawson Creek, said Mayor Blair Lekstrom, announcing the award, even though he was one of the nominees for it.
Dudley grew up in Dawson Creek and graduated from South Peace Senior Secondary School. He has been a local businessman for the past 38 years.
“Whenever there is a community event, Giles is involved in some way,” Lekstrom said,”either behind the scenes, such as organizing parking, or in an executive position, such as the recent Northern B.C. Winter Games.”
Some other community contributions include work for the Royal Canadian Legion, The Air Cadets, federal elections — currently as returning officer — parade marshall for the Fall Fair and other parades.
He is currently trying to get the 2000 B.C. Games for Athletes with a Disability to Dawson Creek.
Female Citizen of the Year, Judi McGowan, was equally pleased with her award. McGowan has been active organizing the Kiwanis Kids Choir for many years. The choir presently boasts no less than 90 dedicated members.
McGowan also works for other arts functions in the city, including KPAC, visiting concerts such as Roy Forbes and Norman Foote and has been involved in fundraising for a family who suffered the loss of their home to fire.
“Judi has inspired a whole community with her dedication to song and her love of the community,” Lekstrom said.
McGowan said she still doesn’t tire of working with the kids choir, which she has done for 20 years.
Other awards included small, medium and large business of the year, young entrepreneur of the year, non-profit organization of the year, agricultural business of the year and a supporter of the arts award.
“We were really pleased and satisfied,” said chamber manager Wayne Dahlen. He said, however, that the board would have to decide whether the civic awards will be presented at another New Year’s Eve gala in future, considering next year’s celebrations will be millennium celebrations.