Spirit of Peachland Civic Awards - Recognizing Excellence
Each year, outstanding residents are recognized for their service through the Spirit of Peachland Civic Awards.
How to Nominate
Nominations for 2025 achievements will open in February 2026 for the following awards:
Peachland Excellence Awards: A Peachland resident, youth and/or group who gave significant service or had a significant achievement in a specific category during the past year. Categories include but are not restricted to: Arts, Culture, Sports, Recreation, Heritage, Environment & Conservation, Community Inclusion or Accessibility, Volunteerism, Leadership, Health Promotion, and Community Spirit. Other categories can be created by the nominee but will be judged by the committee as to their merit.
Unsung Hero: An individual whose everyday actions and quiet efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of others.
Lifetime Service: Peachland resident or group, in recognition of a minimum of 15 years dedicated service to the community.
Youth Citizen of the Year: A School age youth who demonstrates outstanding leadership or makes significant contributions to youth and/or the community.
Citizen of the Year: A Peachland resident making the greatest contribution to the improvement of the community.
Upon request, the following municipal awards are also presented at the Civic Awards Ceremony:
Wedding Anniversary: Peachland residents celebrating their 50, 60 or 70th Wedding Anniversary
Freedom of the Municipality: granted to residents who have reached their 100th birthday or have lived in Peachland for more than 75 years.
Submit a Nomination Package
Complete and sign nomination form
Write a nomination letter describing how the criteria apply to your nominee
Provide up to 3 letters of support
Attach support material including a photo of the nominee in action if available (electronic copies encouraged). Total package not to exceed 8 pages. Submit completed packages by:
email to Info@peachland.ca or drop off at Peachland Municipal Hall (5806 Beach Avenue) or the Peachland Community Centre (4450 6th Street)
Selections will be based on the nominee's achievements and contributions for the 2025 year.
Mayor & Council Awards
The following awards are selected by Mayor and Council:
Councillors Award of Merit Any person or group, local or otherwise, making a significant contribution to our community, as decided by the District Councillors.
Mayors Award of Merit Any person or group, local or otherwise, making a significant contribution to our community, as decided by the Mayor.
Spirit of Peachland Award Winners
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Each year, Peachland Mayor and Council announce the winners of the annual Spirit of Peachland Awards in April/May, celebrating citizens for outstanding achievements during the previous year.
"The annual civic awards celebration is a chance to recognize and applaud the many individuals and community groups who make a positive difference in our community," said Mayor Patrick Van Minsel. "This is an important way to offer our gratitude and appreciation for countless hours of volunteer time."
Paula McLaughlin - Citizen of the Year A driving force for arts and culture in the community, vice president of the Peachland Community Art Council.
Hailey Craig - Youth Citizen of the Year Firefighter with Peachland Fire & Rescue.
Vince Boyko – Lifetime Service Award 15+ volunteer years of service
Sherry Kendrick – Lifetime Service Award 15+ volunteer years of service
Syd Kendrick – Lifetime Service Award 15+ volunteer years of service
John Humphries– Lifetime Service Award 38+ volunteer years of service
Kim McFadden - Unsung Hero For her work with the Peachland Wellness Centre.
Linda Schneider - Excellence in Arts and Culture A long-time volunteer with the Peachland Fall Fair.
Amelia Holly-Anthony - Excellence in Volunteerism A volunteer with the Peachland Ambassadors.
Kim Potts - Excellence in Community Spirit A long-time volunteer with the Peachland Wellness Centre.
Mark Wilson, Tristin Ahern & Martin DesLauriers - Excellence in Sports and Recreation Volunteers with the Peachland Soccer program.
Peachland Seniors' Support Society - Mayor's Award of Merit Many years of volunteer hours spent to realize the vision of independent housing for seniors in Peachland.
Peter Schierbeck - Councillors’ Award of Merit Long-time volunteer and former councillor.
Madeleine Nixon - Citizen of the Year As a founding member of Peachland Community Connects, Madeline brings unique and interesting events to Peachland. She has been involved in virtually every major promotion in Peachland during 2023 including the Making Waves Mural Festival and Peachland's Got Talent showcase. She is also a key organizer with the Peachland HUB Society and the Peachland Wellness Centre. She was instrumental in the Peachland Recovery Task Force and the Tourism Promotion Committee and helped develop Peachland's public art policy. She is a past member of the Peachland Rotary Club and the Tourism and Economic Development Committee.
Olivia Gemperle - Youth Citizen of the Year Dubbed "Little Miss Peachland" by the Peachland Ambassadors committee, Olivia began helping the organization when she was only three years old and since the pandemic, she has been actively involved with community events. She also makes her own crafts and sells them at ambassador events.
Moira Baxter - Councillors' Award of Merit Moira is a long-serving Central Okanagan Public Schools Chairperson, first elected in 1996 and finally retiring from the position in 2022; she served 16 years as the chairperson. She is also an active Rotarian and serves as the current President of the Peachland Rotary Club.
Vince Boyko - Mayor's Award of Merit Vince is the definition of dependability, always eager to offer his expertise in technology and innovative solutions for a host of events and initiatives. He's the unsung hero at Peachland's key community festivities, meticulously ensuring that the audio and visual elements function flawlessly.
Alexandra Morrison - Excellence in Volunteerism Alexandra is involved in numerous community organizations, at board tables and in practical roles, with the Peachland Making Waves Mural Festival, the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance and in the community centre kitchen during events.
Janet Hornseth - Excellence in Arts Janet has held various roles, director, volunteer, staff member and coordinator, with the Peachland Art Gallery for nearly a decade. She exhibits dedication, knowledge, and leadership, inspiring volunteers, board members, artists, and others in the Okanagan art community and beyond.
Jubi Steinhauer & Sarah Kendrick Jubi and Sarah brought primary health care back to Peachland with the opening of the Beachside Health Clinic in 2023. It was no easy task to reopen a clinic and took over a year to navigate complex provincial regulations and convince Interior Health that a non-physician-run practice could work and it has exceeded expectations.
Kay Muir - Excellence in Seniors' Physical Fitness Kay has volunteered for approximately 17 years at the 50+ Centre teaching the Iron and Silk seniors fitness program. Every week, she sets up and teaches the class, demonstrating her unwavering commitment. In her 90s and so generous with her time, she invests it selflessly in the well-being of others.
Mick Armstrong - Excellence in Dedication and Service Mick is dubbed "the Egg Man" and is a grounding anchor for the Peachland Wellness Centre's Jerry Dober Breakfasts. He is also a coordinator of the Men's Coffee and Crib that meets every Tuesday.
Murray Wood - Excellence in Visionary Leadership Murray founded the Okanagan Folk School two years ago, based on the joy of learning. Through his vision, determination, stamina, and generosity, the OKFS is now a registered not-for-profit society that serves artists and learners from all over the Okanagan Valley.
Pam Collingwood - Excellence in Community Inclusion Pam has been the Peachland Wellness Centre's Manager of volunteers since 2020. She tirelessly organizes volunteers for every program and event. Her efforts are the difference between success and failure and, after events, she goes above and beyond to recognize volunteers.
Rick Horvath - Excellence in Community Accessibility Rick is a volunteer driver with the Peachland Wellness Centre. He takes people to places they would not otherwise be able to go such as the doctor's office, bank, groceries, hairdresser, and library. He always offers more than just a ride; he provides a friendly face and social contact.
Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance The Alliance engages in advocacy, education, and media outreach for water protection and promotes the understanding of the water-forest-ecosystem nexus. In 2023, they adopted a 10 Point Plan to align with BC's water security goals and work with First Nations, Local and Provincial Government and stakeholders on water management policies, they provided a Speaker Series, workshops, and conservation activities to raise community awareness.
Sheila Kerr - Unsung Hero Sheila has an unwavering passion for the forest and wildlife that drives her determination to preserve these precious ecosystems. In 2023, she rallied a team of volunteers to clean up a massive garbage dump in the forest above Sanderson Road, and throughout the year, she tirelessly cleared away garbage from illegal dump sites. She orchestrates community clean up efforts and ensures volunteers are appreciated and well-fed.
Anniversary & Lifetime Achievement Awards
50th Wedding Anniversary - Wayne & Mary Power
Lifetime Service Awards - Darlene Hartford for 25 years or more of service. Darlene is a longtime volunteer involved with the Peachland Chamber of Commerce, BEEPS and the Peachland HUB.
Shelley Sweeney - Citizen of the Year Shelley is the chair of the Peachland Hub Society and organizer of the first Mural Festival and serves on multiple volunteer boards in the community.
Megan Avendana Gregory - Youth Citizen of the Year A Mt. Boucherie Secondary School student involved in Dance Club, Senior Girls Rugby and 2022 Grad Council and was selected to attend the RCMP Youth Academy in Vernon and the RCMP National Youth Leadership Workshop.
Vince Boyko - Councillor's Award of Merit Recognized for his work behind the scenes at community events, volunteering his time providing technical expertise to local organizations.
Graham and Kelley Todd - Mayor's Award of Merit The Todds contributed over 30 years of service, supported and sponsored many local events and are part of a legacy of 67 years of local camping.
Lynne Herrin - Pillar of the Community Award Lynn was presented this award posthumously. Lynn embodied the spirit of volunteerism in Peachland and is greatly missed.
Syd Kendrick - Excellence in Dedication and Service Syd contributed over 250 volunteer hours at the Peachland Wellness Centre in 2022.
Sandy McLeod - Excellence in Community Accessibility Sandy is a dedicated volunteer transportation driver for the Peachland Wellness Centre.
Gwen Bodnarek - Excellence in Volunteerism Serves on many boards and volunteers countless hours for numerous organizations in Peachland.
Barrie Hewer - Excellence in Health Promotion Creator of the "Shaken but Not Stirred" support group for people suffering from Parkinson's Disease.
Madeline Nixon - Excellence in Community Spirit Enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer with numerous organizations and events.
Janice Liebe - Unsung Hero Recognized for providing volunteer support and technical expertise, as well as an overall positive attitude, to numerous endeavors focused on creating a healthy and sustainable community.
Brian and Linda Gregory - 50th Wedding Anniversary
Albert Galpin - 100th Birthday, Freedom of the Municipality (presented posthumously)
Alice Mumm - Lifetime Service Award - 15 years of service
Valerie MacGillivray - Lifetime Service Award - 15 years of service
Truda Kennedy - Lifetime Service Award - 30 years of service
Graham & Kelley Todd - Lifetime Service Award - 30 years of service
