Moose Javians Lt-Col. (ret’d) Lyle Johnson and Creighton “Wayne” Cameron are on the list for the 2024 Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, as announced by Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre last week.
Recipients will be presented with the prestigious medal on April 29, 2025, at a ceremony held in their honour at Government House in Regina during National Volunteer Week.
“I was quite surprised, but happily so, to receive the recognition for the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal,” Johnson said. “I have been doing volunteer stuff for most of my life, with the intention of just doing good things, or things for people that will make living in Moose Jaw, in Saskatchewan, in Canada, a better place.
“To receive some recognition about that is quite gratifying.”
Johnson and Cameron will receive a circular medal designed by Jack Glasser of Regina, suspended by a v-shaped clasp by a ribbon of green and gold. The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal bears the provincial coat of arms and the inscription Nos ipsos dedimus (We Gave of Ourselves).
Recipients are entitled to wear the medal at national events, alongside national honours, thanks to recognition by the Government of Canada. The names and photos of the recipients of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal are displayed adjacent to the Athabasca Gallery on the second floor of the Legislative Building.
"The 2024 recipients of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal have made tremendous contributions over several decades, benefitting numerous organizations and communities," McIntyre said. "As someone who has had the pleasure of working with volunteers for many years, I am delighted to help recognize these exceptional individuals for their generosity and commitment to improving the lives of others."
The recipients of the 2024 Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal are:
- Valerie Bidaux, Eastend;
- William Brooks, Saskatoon;
- Creighton (Wayne) Cameron, Moose Jaw;
- Brenda Corman, Saskatoon;
- Audrey and Ron Euteneier, Regina;
- John Grant, Regina;
- Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) Lyle Johnson, O.M.M., C.D., Moose Jaw;
- Harvey Linnen, Regina;
- Sandi Lougheed, Beechy;
- Oswald Lutz, Lanigan;
- Dr. Bruce Neill, Indian Head;
- Laura Poppy, Indian Head;
- Rob Rongve, North Battleford; and
- Jayne C.M. Whyte, Regina.
“I’ve done a lot of volunteering with the Army Cadets program, as well as serving as a member of the Reserves,” Johnson explained. “I’ve been involved with the Crime Stoppers program in Moose Jaw since its inception back in 1985. I’m with the high schools, of course, the volunteer activities of directing plays outside of school. It’s not part of the curriculum, it’s just something you want to do to help students have an opportunity to showcase their talents, and I’ve been involved with the Drama Association, which organizes extracurricular stuff, since 1979, so.”
That’s the tip of the iceberg for Johnson, who is involved in many other additional volunteer organizations. From the Friends of the Forces Fellowship to serving on official City of Moose Jaw committees, Johnson actively searches for ways to dedicate his time.
He added that he and Wayne Cameron have crossed paths as volunteers, which makes it a pleasure to receive the award beside him.
“We’ve both been chair of the Moose Jaw Crime Stoppers at some point in our careers, and Wayne has done some theatre stuff. He’s quite involved, so. There’s lots of opportunities here to work with people who have an interest in doing good things.”
Cameron is a dedicated community volunteer who has been a board member of amateur theatre troupe RuBarb Productions, served as President of Toastmasters, judged oratorical contests, and led a backpack program for students in Costa Rica. He has previously received the Wakamow Rotary Club’s Service Above Self Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.