Man of many hats
Jim Mcmorran honoured with award
ere was a time, Jim Mcmorran was sitting alone, thinking about ending his life.
He even had it planned out. But a timely phone call from a friend, just checking in on him, changed everything.
Today, helping others through involvement with the Canadian Mental Health Association is one way he gives back, as a volunteer.
“I sought out the branch in Halifax, where I was living, as a source of help,” he said. “I still struggle. is is an illness you can deal with, but I’m not sure you can ever cure.
“It’s important to elevate awareness around mental illness. It’s a sickness, and we need to make sure that gets out, so people will be accepting.”
Mcmorran became a volunteer with the Halifax branch. After moving to Stewiacke, he volunteered with the Colchester-east Hants branch, where he currently serves as president.
“I worked for Boy Scouts Canada, and working for Scouts you very quickly realize that if it wasn’t for volunteers some organizations wouldn’t exist,” he said.
He helped out at the Museum of Natural History while in Halifax, teaching children about whales.
He volunteered with Symphony Nova Scotia, picking up musicians and conductors at the airport and giving them rides.
A photographer, Mcmorran began organizing art shows for Stewiacke Town Days.
is led to creation of the Winding River Art Gallery, where he was the first president. Along with Je Gray, he also founded the Stewiacke Culture Showcase.
Mcmorran is currently secretary of the Town of Stewiacke’s business and tourism committee, a member of the police advisory board, and secretary of Loge la France Masonic Lodge.
On April 9, he was one of 77 people from across Nova Scotia recognized for his e orts, during a ceremony in Halifax, as recipient of a provincial volunteer award.
“It’s quite an honour,” he said. “It took a while to sink in and I’m still kind of overwhelmed. It does make me realize people appreciate what I’m doing.
“I like to feel like I’m doing something worthwhile, and volunteering is good for me because it keeps me busy and alert.”