Information Media Centre Press Releases Three Award Recipients Recognized for Outstanding Achievements
Three Award Recipients Recognized for Outstanding Achievements
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Friday, July 23, 2010
For Immediate Release
Three Award Recipients Recognized for Outstanding Achievements
Toronto, ON (July 23, 2010) - The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) is
pleased to congratulate Jon Wollaston, Sheila Johnston and Gary
Malkowski on their recent awards recognizing their outstanding
contributions.
Jon Wollaston, outgoing Treasurer of the CHS Board of Directors was
awarded the Heinz Jefferson Award Champion for Volunteerism for his
extraordinary efforts on behalf of The Canadian Hearing Society. The
Heinz Jefferson award recipients are “ordinary people who do remarkable
things without expectation of recognition or reward”. Over the past
seven years, Jon as been involved as CHS treasurer, board member,
advocate and fundraiser. Jon has participated in a variety of government
awareness and fundraising activities and events. Jon is currently
taking a lead role in Board fundraising. The Jefferson Award for
Volunteerism is a prestigious award honouring community and public
service throughout North America.
Sheila Johnston has been an interpreter and educator for over 29 years.
With her wealth of knowledge in the field, Sheila has pioneered new
avenues for interpreters to reach professional standards. The
Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC) presented
Sheila with The Edward C. Bealer Award of Merit, which recognizes
individuals who have performed above and beyond the call of duty, making
a significant contribution to the field of interpreting in Canada.
Sheila was the founder and trainer of the CHS Ontario Interpreting
Services (OIS) Apprenticeship Program from 1988 to 1993 and she is
currently the Manager of the OIS Interpreter Internship Program. Sheila
was the driving force behind getting approval and funding for the
10-month internship program, which assists new interpreters and
graduates of interpreter training programs to reach the level of skill,
knowledge and ethical judgment to work as interpreters in the community.
Gary Malkowski was presented with the Henry Vlug Award for political,
legal, and advocacy action that has significantly increased the equality
of Deaf Canadians. Gary’s drive and dedication have fostered a
life-long career as a Deaf rights advocate. Throughout his political
career as the first Deaf MPP from 1990 to 1995, and in his current role
in senior management at CHS, Gary’s contributions and advocacy work have
been historic and transformational for Deaf Canadians. Gary spearheaded
the Ontario Ministry of Education Review into Deaf Education. His
contributions to legal community services include Osgoode Hall Law
School and the Law Society of Upper Canada providing legal strategies
and advice to lawyers on several issues.
The Henry Vlug Award is named in honour of Henry Vlug, Q.C., for his many successes in political, legal, and advocacy efforts.
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Contact:
Kelly MacKenzie
The Canadian Hearing Society
Ph: 416 928 2500, ext. 231
TTY: 416 964 0023
E-mail:
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