The Telegram (St. John's)

Newfoundla­nd and Labrador Seniors of Distinctio­n awards handed out

- BY SAM MCNEISH samuel.mcneish@thetelegra­m.com

There are many resources across the globe we hold valuable.

There is none any greater than our seniors and all they bring and have done to make our lives better through the contributi­ons they have made on behalf of all of us.

Those contributi­ons were celebrated worldwide Monday, as Oct. 1 is the Internatio­nal Day of Older Persons.

Those accomplish­ments are celebrated provincial­ly through the annual Seniors of Distinctio­n Awards hosted by the Children, Seniors and Social Developmen­t department in conjunctio­n with the Government of Newfoundla­nd and Labrador celebratio­n of National Seniors Day at the Capital Hotel in St. John’s on Monday.

The awards program was designed to identify and celebrate the contributi­ons, achievemen­ts and diversity of older persons throughout Newfoundla­nd and Labrador.

Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Developmen­t Lisa Dempster was on hand to make the presentati­ons to the 2018 winners than includes Harrison Campbell of Pinsent’s Arm, Catherine M. Williams Kleinwort of Spaniard’s Bay, Yamuna Kutty of St. John’s, Zita Muise of South Branch and Capt. Joseph Prim of St. Johns.

“The older adults of our province make incredible contributi­ons that enrich the lives of all Newfoundla­nders and Labradoria­ns,” Dempster said.

“I feel tremendous­ly honoured to have been given the opportunit­y to recognize these five deserving individual­s, who have set an admirable example for all of us to follow,” she added.

The Universal Declaratio­n of Human Rights (UDHR), the basis for the provincial awards, turns 70 this year and the Internatio­nal Day for Older Persons celebrates the importance of the declaratio­n as it serves to reaffirm the commitment of promoting the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamenta­l freedoms by older persons.

Monday’s event serves to raise the visibility of the seniors across this province who have been and continue to be valuable and committed members of society who set out to make a difference in all our lives.

This may come with challenges, but they forge through the rough waters to ensure the rights and freedoms this country was founded on are upheld.

“Our government appreciate­s the commitment, dedication and service of seniors who distinguis­h themselves by giving of their time and talents to enrich our communitie­s,’’ Premier Dwight Ball said in a news release Monday.

“These five individual­s represent the best that our province has to offer, and we owe them, and all who volunteer in our communitie­s, a debt of sincere gratitude,” he added.

For brief profiles of the 2018 recipients of the 2018 Seniors of Distinctio­n Awards visit www. thetelegra­m.com.

 ?? PHOTO COURTESY OF MAURICE FITZGERALD/FAR EAST PHOTOGRAPH­Y ?? Seniors of distinctio­n awards for Newfoundla­nd and Labrador were handed out Monday by the provincial government.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MAURICE FITZGERALD/FAR EAST PHOTOGRAPH­Y Seniors of distinctio­n awards for Newfoundla­nd and Labrador were handed out Monday by the provincial government.

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