18th Annual Spirit of Oliver Awards
The 18th Annual Spirit of Oliver Awards will take place at the Oliver Parks & Recreation Community Hall on April 21st, 2023. Nominations will be open February 1st, 2023 with a submission deadline of March 17th, 2023.
Click here to make your nomination for the 18th Annual Spirit of Oliver Awards.
Nomination Categories
- Community Roots: This award honours individuals or groups that have resided in greater Oliver including Osoyoos Indian Band lands who characterise the definition of heritage: “that which we have inherited, value, believe in, and wish to keep”. This individual is known for their dedication and support of the development of the framework of greater Oliver either towards the preservation of Oliver’s natural environment, historical architecture and cultural heritage through conservation projects, education, awareness, or advocacy.
- Group: This award recognizes a community group or organization that demonstrates outstanding volunteer contributions to the community.
- Youth: This award recognizes an individual between the ages of 12 - 18 years old who has demonstrated a commitment to our community through extraordinary volunteer contributions.
- Individual Adult or Couple: This award recognizes an individual or couple 18 years of age or older who has demonstrated a commitment to our community through extraordinary volunteer contributions.
- Community Builder (Oliver Parks & Recreation Society Award): This award recognizes an individual or group that through voluntary activities promotes growth and development of individuals or public spaces, and has left a legacy that improves our community and enhances the quality of life of individuals of greater Oliver.
2021 Winners
| Community Roots | Sally Franks |
| Individual Adult | Marian Nelmes |
| Group | Oliver Mission Society |
| Youth | Kael Koteles |
| Community Builder (Oliver Parks & Recreation Society Award) | Dennis Frewin |
History
The Oliver Good Citizen Award was donated in 1950 by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The first recipient of this award 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”.