Fred Macklin and Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award - Citizen of the Year

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2022 Fred Macklin & Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award: Citizen of the Year Recipient

Derek Fuhr

Derek Fuhr’s contribution to the success and growth of Kelowna’s Motionball Marathon of Sports is immeasurable. Derek is the Event Director, and in 2022, the event raised $240,000 and saw over 400 attendees. Motionball Marathon of Sports is a flagship organization dedicated to raising funds for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation. In 2022, Derek’s dedication to Motionball led him to campaign Big White and other sponsors to host the very first Winter Games Event, which raised over $10,000. 


About the Fred Macklin and Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award

Fred Macklin served Kelowna in many ways throughout his life.  He was the secretary treasurer of School District #23 from 1956 to 1974 and from 1976 to 1984 he was a City of Kelowna Alderman. He was chairman of many organizations including the Kelowna Parks and Recreation Committee, Labour Relations Board, the City Transit Management Committee and the BC Transit Council of BC.  He was also Director and Chairman of the Public Employees Council of BC. He also served as the Honorary Treasurer of the Okanagan Regional Library Board. Fred passed away in 1984.

Sarah Donalda Treadgold was an active and conscientious volunteer who understood the value and importance of working for the community. She was deeply interested in education and initially volunteered for many years on Kelowna Elementary School's P.T.A. She was encouraged to run for the office of school trustee in 1924 and topped the polls in every election for the next 23 years. Sarah was a loving mother with good ideas and the passion to stand up for what she believed - much like the other women who have been and will be honoured with the Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award.

Award Criteria

  • Awarded to a man or woman in recognition of their outstanding voluntary contributions and community service to the city of Kelowna. Activities may be related to arts and culture, business, commerce, education, humanities, medical and recreation.
  • Selections are based on the nominee's achievements and contributions throughout 2023.
  • Past volunteer information may be included, but the nomination should focus on the current award year.  
  • Nominees must not have personally benefited from their activities, nor should the contributions be considered part of their normal employment or job responsibilities.

Nominations for the 49th annual Civic & Community Awards are now open until February 9, 2024. Please go to the online nomination form to submit a nomination.

Past Recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award

Previous recipients of the Fred Macklin & Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award for Citizen of the Year: 

  • 2021 - Lloyd Nelson
  • 2020 - Elaine McMurray
  • 2019 - Al Hildebrandt

Prior to 2019, Kelowna's citizen of the year award was split into two categories (male/female).
Moving forward, only one Citizen of the Year (all genders) will be named. 

Previous recipients of the Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award for Female Citizen of the Year: 

  • 2018 - Angie Lohr
  • 2017 - Catherine Williams
  • 2016 - Kelly Taverner
  • 2015 - Lorena Mead
  • 2014 - Meryle Corbett
  • 2013 - Rose Sexsmith
  • 2012 - Shaun Bos
  • 2011 - Marie Ablett 
  • 2010 - Julie Wambeke
  • 2009 - Mohini Singh
  • 2008 - Allison McNeill
  • 2007 - Jane Fletcher
  • 2006 - Lorraine McGrath
  • 2005 - Wendy Falkowski
  • 2004 - Linda Woods
  • 2003 - Beryl Itani
  • 2002 - Beryl Baldeo
  • 2001 - Frances Klassen
  • 2000 - Shirley Jensen/Sunny Hildebrant
  • 1999 - Margaret Caley
  • 1998 - Helen Hut
  • 1997 - Cathy Comben
  • 1996 - Denise Nahirney
  • 1995 - Chris Thatcher
  • 1994 - Leanne Drewin / Shirley Schmidt
  • 1993 - Monica Rainey
  • 1992 - Beryl Stobie Itani
  • 1991 - Anita Tozer
  • 1990 - M. Ruth Lysne / Lillian Moller
  • 1989 - Lois Rae Serwa
  • 1988 - Frankie Molzahn
  • 1987 - Bessie Doeksen
  • 1986 - Doreen Bain
  • 1985 - Nora Woodman / Linda Keller
  • 1984 - Joan Panton
  • 1983 - Ursula Surtees / Marnie McCall
  • 1982 - Val Fix
  • 1981 - Arline Nikolaj
  • 1980 - Dorothy G. Deakin
  • 1979 - Ruth K. Nesbitt
  • 1978 - Barbara Walker
  • 1977 - Margaret McNair
  • 1976 - Marianne Vita
  • 1975 - Muriel McWilliams

Previous recipients of the Fred Macklin Memorial Award: 

  • 2018 - Giuseppe (Joe) Iafrancesco
  • 2017 - Peter Boyd
  • 2016 - Gary Benson
  • 2015 - Raghwa Gopal
  • 2014 - David Krysko
  • 2013 - Sean Pihl
  • 2012 - Ken Thompson
  • 2011 - Paul Nesbitt
  • 2010 - Thomas Budd
  • 2009 - Vern Neilson
  • 2008 - Ron Rubadeau
  • 2007 - Walter Gray
  • 2006 - Ian Graham
  • 2005 - Steve Tuck
  • 2004 - Ken Campbell
  • 2003 - Mel Kotler
  • 2002 - Clarence Johnson
  • 2001 - Peter Nahirnak
  • 2000 - Walter Hut/Bren Witt
  • 1999 - Tom Smithwick
  • 1998 - Herb Comben
  • 1997 - Dr. Harold Henderson
  • 1996 - Ken Harding
  • 1995 - Roy Tanaka
  • 1994 - Rex Fitzgerald
  • 1993 - Mike Guzzi / Dennis Zahara
  • 1992 - Arthur S. Hughes-Games
  • 1991 - Robert E. Sanders
  • 1990 - Roy Pollard
  • 1989 - Murray Johnson
  • 1988 - Dr. Barry Urness
  • 1987 - Bill Knowles
  • 1986 - Mervyn Gleen
  • 1984 - Norman Leischner
  • 1982 - Albert Baldeo
  • 1981 - Walt Lupul

Award sponsored by: