William McGinn BGC Kawarthas
KAWARTHA LAKES: Local resident Catherine Miller has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal after being nominated by BGC Kawarthas, formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes.
In May 2023, King Charles III celebrated his Coronation, and in addition to issuing hundreds of thousands of medals for UK citizens, Canada was issued 30,000 special ones. Prime Minister Trudeau announced the government's intention to award these medals to those who have brought benefit or honour to Canada, whether for the entire country, a province, or their region and community. BGC Kawarthas was given an opportunity to nominate an individual through BGC Canada, its national affiliate.
It is the first Canadian commemorative medal in history to mark a Coronation.
Miller retired from a 33-year career with the Ministry of Children & Youth Services and the Ministry of Community & Social Services. Her role included community development, management of contracts with non-profit agencies and providing oversight to a broad system of human services that supports children, youth and families. She was a BGC kid, volunteer and staff in her youth, and during her government tenure, she supported BGC Kawarthas in her professional capacity. Miller joined the BGC Kawarthas board in 2018 and served as President from 2019 to 2022. During that time, Miller led the board through the COVID-19 pandemic and the organization's 50th Anniversary.
"Catherine's been a really strong leader and champion for integrated community services," said Amy Terrill, Executive Director of BGC Kawarthas. "She always makes the most of opportunities to speak up on behalf of the Club or our families. She always puts kids first, and she leads with passion and humility, so she basically bleeds green," in reference to BGC's green logo.
Miller called winning this medal something she "couldn't have imagined." Her parents were immigrants from Scotland, and "I can just picture their faces beaming at this honour."
"It's unbelievable how this organization has been one of the threads in my life," said Miller. "It's been a phenomenal story. Thank you to the Club. I am absolutely speechless, and that doesn't happen very often."
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