by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
PEMBROKE — Art Jamieson is the recipient of the Governor General Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
Whitewater Region Mayor Hal Johnson presented the medal to Mr. Jamieson at a special ceremony held during the regular meeting of Renfrew County Council on Wednesday, Nov. 28.
Well known for his charitable works for more than half a decade, 30 years in his educational career, and a decade as an entrepreneur, Mr. Jamieson noted this is an award you don’t go looking for.
Prior to the presentation in front of the 17 council representatives at county council along with a packed council chambers of those wanting to watch the presentation, Warden Jennifer Murphy read aloud what this award is.
“The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields,” she said. “As an official Canadian honour, the medal for volunteers pays tribute to the dedication and commitment of the volunteers. Any person who is a Canadian citizen and who has made a significant, sustained and unpaid contribution to a community in Canada or abroad, is eligible.”
The nominees are “carefully researched and reviewed by an advisory commitment, which makes recommendations to the Governor General,” she noted.
Michael Johnson, a former chief administrative officer for the County of Renfrew, was honoured to participate in a ceremony recognizing a man who was Warden of the County of Renfrew when he was appointed to the position of CAO.
It’s appropriate this ceremony is taking place in county chambers where Mr. Jamieson spent many years, not only as warden, but as a reeve for the former village of Beachburg.
He noted Michael Keller, who was not able to attend the event, was the person who nominated Mr. Jamieson for the award.
Reading from the Governor General’s notes, the accolades of Mr. Jamieson were reviewed.
“The recipient, Art Jamieson, is a lifelong and current community volunteer contributor. The innumerable lives that have been touched and helped are the essence of his legacy. He is a lifelong and current fundraiser for charities in the Ottawa Valley and beyond. He is a lifelong and current leader in fundraising in cases of individual, family or community misfortune or disaster.
“He is a lifelong promoter of Ottawa Valley traditional culture with
emphasis on music, step dancing and valley folklore. He is a lifelong and current leader in promoting Ottawa Valley culture to children and youth.
“He is an undefeated municipal elected official for 22 years, including 20 years as Reeve of former the Village of Beachburg and Warden of the County of Renfrew in 1985.
“He was a principal in the Renfrew County elementary school system for his entire 30-year professional career.”
Mr. Johnson noted Mr. Jamieson is a successful entrepreneur, agriculturalist and possibly most importantly of all, in the enabling of the contribution that he has made to society through his volunteerism, is that 47 years ago he married the former Dorothy Dunn from
Nicabob, Quebec.
The Jamiesons are the parents of three and grandparents of seven.
He noted Dot is at Mr. Jamieson’s side not only as a partner, but as a full participant in the activities in which he engages.
M r. Johnson then encouraged Mrs. Jamieson to stand, as she was sitting in the back of the packed council chambers.
He noted the documentation from the Governor General’s office lists a huge amount of Mr. Jamieson’s activities, but for the sake of time, would only list the major ones.
Mr. Jamieson was Master of Ceremonies:
* for 15 years of the Upper Ottawa Valley Easter Seals telethon, raising over
$2 million;
* for the annual Reach for the Rainbow telethon from 1985 to 1988, and again from 1991 to 2014, raising funding for the Sunshine Coach program in Renfrew, over $1 million raised;
* for numerous functions raising approximately one-quarter of a million dollars for the Bonnechere Manor auditorium addition;
* for 20 years with Ducks Unlimited in Pembroke and Area annual fundraising, raising over $300,000;
* for Valley Heritage Radiothon, raising approximately $100,000 a year for the operating costs of that community radio station promoting Ottawa Valley culture;
* for the annual Holly Jolly Radiothon, raising approximately $10,000 annually for local recipient charities;
* for all 43 years of the Pembroke and Area Old Time Fiddling and Stepdancing Contest held in Pembroke each Labour Day weekend. That contest organization has donated
tens of thousands of dollars to the local hospital and other local organizations;
* for the music and entertainment at the Arctic Winter Games in Hay River and Pine Point, NWT, for the CBC, he was also chosen by CBC to act as Master of Ceremonies for the live televised portion of the 50th anniversary of the Shelbourne Oldtime Fiddle Championship;
* has organized fundraisers for the city of Pembroke mural program, was honoured in 1985 by the OPP for his contribution to the community police conference, for 47 years has acted as band leader and Master of Ceremonies and musician at the annual fundraiser at the Calabogie Hunters Ball providing operating funding for the recreation committee.
“Art Jamieson is a tireless long-time promoter of Ottawa Valley music and culture, recognized by his induction into the Ottawa Valley Music Hall of Fame in 2004,” Mr. Johnson said.
He has been honoured for 50 years of Lionism as member, and president, of the Lions clubs in Beachburg and Renfrew. He has been recognized by Renfrew County council for his ongoing efforts promoting the culture and economic development of the Ottawa Valley by appointing him as County of Renfrew goodwill ambassador in 2014. He was chair of the Family and Children Services of Renfrew County from 1994 to 1996; is a successful entrepreneur with daughter Cindy and wife Dot as operators of Jamieson Travel and Tours in Beachburg and is successful in the agricultural sector with son Jason, having been awarded the grand champion Simmental Bull award at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto.
For more than 60 years, Mr. Jamieson has organized musicians to play, entertain and fundraise at innumerable functions across the Ottawa Valley while endlessly promoting the appreciation of this Valley’s rich vibrant musical and folk lore history to future generations, Mr. Johnson noted.
“The Governor General’s document concludes with this citation: Art Jamieson is recognized throughout the Ottawa Valley and across Canada as a tireless raconteur excellence of the Ottawa Valley’s colourful and oral tradition of storytelling, exaggeration and anecdotes. He is the living personification of the maintenance and continuation of that almost undefinable fact called Ottawa Valley culture, the culture which constitutes the very fabric, the very soul, of this traditional Ottawa Valley.”
Taking to the podium, Mayor Johnson said, “Sometimes we get asked to do things that are extraordinary, and this is an extraordinary request that I present the Sovereign Medal of the Governor General to Art Jamieson.”
He invited Warden Murphy, Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Jamieson to join Mr. Jamieson at the podium.
“I want to make it very clear that when we are pinning this medal on Art Jamieson, we’re also pinning it on Dot Jamieson, his biggest, supporter,” Mayor Johnson said.
Once the medal was pinned onto Mr. Jamieson’s sweater, he received a standing ovation from the packed council chambers.
With his wife at his side, Mr. Jamieson said, “This is far beyond what I expected.”
Mr. Jamieson was aware he was to be the recipient of this medal when he received a letter on December 17, 2017 advising him of such, and that it could take up to two years for the presentation to occur.
This past June, Mr. Jamieson contacted the Governor General’s office and was advised the presentation of the medal could be held anywhere he desired.
“That answered a great question, because I know exactly where I wanted it to be was right back here in the nest where I was born in Renfrew County and that’s where it was going to be if I had anything to do with it,” he recalled.
A month ago, Mr. Jamieson was advised the presentation was going to take place in Renfrew County, and two weeks ago, was told what date it was happening on.
“It is a tremendous honour to be here in front of you,” Mr. Jamieson said, noting the majority of those sitting at the council table were because the majority of people in their communities voted them in – adding that some were serving their final time as that member at the table following the recent municipal election.
He thanked the county council members for the work they do for their municipalities.
“I want to thank Mike Johnson, with whom I had the great honour of working with over the years,” Mr. Jamieson said. “He was the man who said I know nothing about politics, know nothing about weaving things in and out to end up at the required destination.
“He has been of great service to Renfrew County and is a great friend.”
After thanking a few more people, some who were in the audience and some who weren’t, Mr. Jamieson said, “It’s been marvellous, a great ride, but it’s not over yet, my career is only about half done. The people of the valley, we get things done quicker than the federal government.”
He noted while the work does get done in the Valley, it’s not only because of those who lead, but because of the 10s and 10s of thousands who reach into their pockets, who volunteer – they are the ones who make it happen.
With an arm around his wife’s shoulders, Mr. Jamieson looked down at Dot and said, “I thank you all, but most of all, this darling young lady.”
Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards Reeve Janice Visneskie Moore asked for permission to address the crowd.
When she began her political career more than 30 years ago as the lone woman in the council chambers, she recalled, “Art took me under his wing. I was scared, I was a young woman and women were not really a big factor in county council, so I was very nervous.”
She congratulated Mr. Jamieson on receiving the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, noting there is nobody more than deserving than he.
“I think I am the only sitting person (at the county council table) that worked with Art and he was a wonderful, wonderful reeve of Beachburg, an excellent warden and a good representation for Renfrew County,” Reeve Visneskie Moore ended.
Speaking to the media afterwards, Mr. Jamieson said this is not an award anyone looks for when volunteering or fundraising.
“The last thing you are thinking about is some sort of an award, because you realize you are only one person,” he said.
It takes a full team to get the work done, he said, comparing the team to a wheel, that has a hub with spokes, and the more spokes, the stronger the wheel. Which means, there should be more people in the council chambers who should be sharing in this recognition, he explained.
Mr. Jamieson knows many people throughout the Ottawa Valley, because a band he was in performed in more than 1,000 weddings, many of them were second generation.
“You get to know those people in the community, you become friends with them,” Mr. Jamieson said. “Those associations, when you go to the radio to try and raise money, they’re listening, and just like here, just like the old telephones, you pick them up and the moment you say hello, you recognize the voice at the other end and you know it’s another connection from the past.”
The Ottawa Valley is a place where if someone is in trouble, there’s no question there will be people there to help, he said. People realize how much more they get out of something when they are helping someone else, he added.
