Peachland businessman named to Order of B.C.
George Melville, who co-founded group that owns Boston Pizza, has donated millions of dollars to charities, provincial organizations
The Okanagan Weekend
Businessman George Melville, who splits his time between White Rock and Peachland, can add the Order of British Columbia to his long list of accomplishments and accolades.
Melville doesn’t get as much exposure and attention as his business partner, Jim Treliving.
The two founded T&M Group, which has Boston Pizza International in its portfolio.
Boston Pizza, which had its first restaurant in Penticton, has gone on to be franchised throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Treliving has also gone on to be one of the investoradvisers on the CBC-TV hit reality show Dragons’ Den.
Through Melville’s and Treliving’s T&M Group, the two also own Mr. Lube, Naramata Benchland Properties and the Skookum Festival held in Vancouver’s Stanley Park.
Melville has donated millions of dollars to charities and provincial organizations, and he’s a mentor to many institutions and young leaders.
“British Columbia is strong because of our people,” said Premier John Horgan.
“This year’s recipients represent the diversity and strength of our province. They have all dedicated their lives to making B.C. a better place, and I commend them for their tremendous achievements and service.”
This year, 203 extraordinary citizens were nominated for the Order of B.C.
However, only 14 were deemed worthy of the province’s highest form of recognition.
In fact, since inception in 1989, only 432 British Columbians have been appointed to the order. So Melville is in esteemed company. Some of the famous British Columbians to be named to the order include Grammy award-winning singer Bryan Adams (1990), former prime minister and diplomat Kim Campbell (2012), Olympic gold medal skier Nancy Greene (2004), former Vancouver Canucks captain Trevor Linden (2003), jazz singer Diana Krall (2000), former NBA star Steve Nash (2006), singer Sarah McLachlan (2001), three-term former premier Gordon Campbell (2011), the late Vancouver Canucks president Pat Quinn (2014) and Generation X novelist Douglas Coupland.
However, there have been many who aren’t famous, but volunteer and serve in their communities and make a difference. Examples can be found in this year’s list of 14 honourees.
They include Scw’exmx Grand Chief Percy Joe of Merritt, Brian Minter of Minter Gardens in Chilliwack, the Responsible Investment Association’s Deborah Abbey of New Westminster, Brian Fehr of Prince George-based forestry innovation BID Group, Simon Fraser University chancellor Anne Giardini, First Nations language preservationist Tracey Herbert of Victoria and human rights crusader Mary Kitawawa of Delta.
The investiture ceremony is Sept. 20 at Government House in Victoria.
“I wish to extend my thanks to all new members for their commitment to meaningful work that leaves a lasting legacy, which benefits and elevates our province for future generations,” said Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin.
Anyone can submit a nomination for someone they feel is deserving.
For nomination forms and submission instructions for the 2019 order, go to BCHonoursAndAwards@gov.bc.ca.