Stationkeepers MV Receive the 2024 Mayor’s Appreciation Award

The Stationkeepers MV are the recipients of the Mayor’s Appreciation Award for 2024. The award is given annually to express the mayor’s appreciation for a volunteer organization or group operating in MV. The late Mayor Mark Willmer selected the group as recipients of the award prior to his death in April.

The Stationkeepers are a group of volunteers whose mission is to foster community interest, participation, and involvement at all ages in cultural activities that reflect the heritage of Madawaska Valley. The group has a longstanding relationship with the Township, having their home base at the township-owned Railway Station on Opeongo Line and the operators of the local history museum within the facility.

The Stationkeepers had a big year in 2024: they culminated a multi-year fundraising project to complete the build of a wooden train children’s play structure in Water Tower Park, and celebrated the 130th anniversary of the coming of the train to Barry’s Bay with Train Day in August of last year. Both were received with enthusiasm by the Township and the greater public, who came out in large numbers to celebrate their achievements last September. In recognition of their strong efforts to foster community involvement in our local history, Mayor Willmer was pleased to select the Stationkeepers of the receipt of this award.

Mayor Shulist is honoured to fulfill Mayor Willmer’s wishes, and to express his own admiration of the accomplishments of the Stationkeepers. Joanne Olsen, President of the Station Keepers, will be present at the June 17 Regular Council Meeting to receive the award.