The Oliver Good Citizen Award was donated in 1950 by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
First Recipient was Harold Wright.
In 1961 the Junior Chamber of Commerce ceased to exist, and the trophy was reintroduced in 1966 by the Oliver Board of Trade, later to be renamed “Oliver Chamber of Commerce”.
In 1990, it was decided to make two presentations; one to honour the pioneers who have helped to establish our community and the other to honour our more recent good citizens.
Hence two plaques: “The Citizen Award” and “The Pioneer Award”.
Nominations are now open!! Submit a nomination
2021 Spirit of Oliver Awards will be held in late 2022.
2020 Winners
The celebrations took place at the Oliver Parks & Recreation Community Hall on August 20th, 2021. A big THANK YOU to all nominees, nominators and volunteers. You are what makes Oliver great!
Community Roots This award Honours individuals or groups that may have settled in greater Oliver following the establishment of the Fairview Townsite and surrounding areas including Osoyoos Indian Band lands. The Winner is Vance Potter
Group This award recognizes a community group that demonstrates an outstanding contribution to the community. The Winner is Desert Valley Hospice
Youth This award recognizes an individual youth member who has demonstrated a commitment to our community and has made extraordinary volunteer contributions. The Winner is Kelan Harty
Individual This award recognizes the volunteer work of an individual adult or couple who have contributed significantly through voluntary service involving a variety of projects, groups and/or programs. The Winner is Louis & Jolanda Balog
Community Builder (Oliver Parks & Recreation Society Award) This award recognizes an individual or group that through voluntary activities have left a legacy that builds and improves our community and will enhance the quality of life of children, youth and families. The Winner is Janet Shaw
Group Award – Special Mention Special Mention was requested by the Spirit of Oliver Award Selection Committee to recognize all the Front Line Health Care Workers who have been working tirelessly since the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Town of Oliver would like to recognize:
- South Okanagan General Hospital
- Sunnybank Retirement Centre
- McKinney Place Residential Care Facility
2019 Winners:
| Community Roots | No Nominations |
| Individual Adult | Chris Yerburgh |
| Group | Oliver Crime Watch |
| Youth | Enola Mills |
| Community Builder (Oliver Parks & Recreation Society Award) | Benita Baerg |