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Volunteers recognized at annual Valley Fish and Game Banquet

In addition to good times, the annual Fish and Game Club Banquet served to recognize some of the organization’s many volunteers.
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Sheryl Baas receives the Howard Smith Achievement Award for her work volunteering with the Fish and Game Club.

 

In addition to good times, the annual Fish and Game Club Banquet served to recognize some of the organization’s many volunteers.

One of the top awards of the evening went to long-time volunteer Sheryl Baas, who is best known in the club for running the kitchen. She received the Howard Smith Achievement Award.

“It’s a lot of work,” club president Andreas Berglund said. “The award is voted on by the members, so that shows how much it is worth. She truly deserves it.”

Volunteer of the Year went to Bruce Alldred, a volunteer who has been to every banquet, except this one, oddly enough, Berglund said.

“He’s been working his you-know-what off for a long time,” the president said. “He’s just a great character, and he always works in the quiet.”

Another top award went to Len Smith, who got an Honourary Life Membership.

“He’s one of the guys that volunteers, and has been with us forever,” Berglund said. “He’s just a great guy.”

A close-knit community, it always hurts when a member is no longer with us, Berglund said.

As such, members took a moment to remember Audrey Eddy, who died this past year as a result of cancer.

Overall, Berglund said that the annual banquet was a successful event, though it had a smaller than usual turnout.

Although the event is always held the second weekend of March, the Appollos Alumni hockey game (see Page 7) was scheduled to take place at the same time.

It’s a shame, because it’s the club’s biggest fund-raiser of the year, and helps pay for their efforts in conservation throughout the Cowichan Lake area, Berglund said.

This coming year will see a continuation of the club’s partnership with the Ministry of Environment to work on a management plan for the lake.

“Our goal is to get more fish in the lake,” Berglund said.

The Gazette will follow this plan as it unfolds.