By Eddie J. Grant, ContributorTORONTO, Canada:
SIX JAMAICANS are among 16 residents of Toronto, Canada presented with commemorative medals to mark the Queen's 50th anniversary on the British throne. The medals were presented earlier this month to 16 persons in total by Scarborough-Rouge River MPP, Jamaican-born Alvin Curling, and Barbara Hall, former Toronto Mayor.
The Jamaicans are Oswin Curling, Evadnie Beckett, Hugh Evelyn, Phyliss Martin, Cynthia Blackman, and Paulette Senior. Medals were awarded to these individuals for making significant contributions to their community, and to Canada.
Also receiving a medal was Guyanese-born journalist Ron Fanfair. He received his medal for his 25 years of involvement in reporting on ethnic communities locally and around the world. In addition, he volunteers as an editor for souvenir programmes and newsletters for the Greater Toronto Area of United Way, the Ontario Cycling Association, and Western Union.
Upon receiving the medal Fanfair, said he was quite delighted to be honoured and recognised for his contribution to the community.
For more than 30 years Evelyn served the community, and Canada, personally and through various community organisations, in numerous ways. His focus has been on race relations, human rights and assisting minority people of all ages in achieving their upward mobility goals in the broader Canadian community.
For 13 years Evelyn was a member of the federal government's Refugee Determination Board. He also worked as an Ontario Supreme Court Reporter for several years. Beckett, who for several years has participated in the fund-raising events for the Jamaican Canadian Association, is recognised for her long voluntary service.
Oswin Curling, a realtor, was recognised for his 25 years of volunteer service in helping newcomers integrate in the Canadian society. Martin, a past secretary and member of Tropicana Community Services Organisation, and a volunteer worker with the Malvern Youth Group and North York Inter-Agencies, was recognised for 10 years of volunteer service.
Blackman who is the fund-raising chair of St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church, is recognised for 15 years of volunteer service.
Senior is a past chair of Malvern Family Resource Centre, and a past member of Police Race Relations Monitoring Board. Senior who also holds Honour degrees in Psychology and Urban Studies from York University, is currently Manager of the YWCA Pape Avenue Apartments and interim manager of Stop 86 Young Women's shelter, providing housing and shelter to young women, and women in need. She has worked and volunteered with non-profit community organisations for over 12 years.
Hall, a former Toronto Mayor, who made the presentations, paid tribute to all of the recipients. She was introduced by Alvin Curling who also lauded members of the group for the contributions they have made to society.
The commemorative medal is part of the Jubilee Year Celebration organised in Ontario by the federal government's Department of Canadian Heritage.
