Sarah Pledge Dickson, LJI Journalist

Two Pontiac women were among 30,000 people across Canada who were awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal on Mar. 3 for the significant contributions they’ve made to their communities.

Chapeau Agricultural Society president Gene O’Brien and SADC Pontiac director Rhonda Perry were invited to join 15 other recipients from the Pontiac–Kitigan Zibi federal riding to receive the medal from Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel in a ceremony in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill.

The one-time medal was created to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place May 6, 2023, and celebrates people who have made significant contributions to their province, territory, region or community in Canada, according to a press release from Chatel’s office.

O’Brien was recognized for her nearly three decades of leadership with the organization, which included seeing the opening of the new farmer’s market building last summer.

She also previously sat on the board at the Pontiac Community Hospital before it was integrated into the CISSSO for about five years, and has volunteered with West Pontiac Connects since 2002, which started as an effort to bring internet connection to the region and now runs programs for youth and seniors.

She said that this special recognition came as a surprise.

“I didn’t know that I had been nominated for this award, I didn’t even know it existed. The email initially went to my spam,” O’Brien said, laughing.

“I was grateful to receive the medal, and surprised. It certainly shows appreciation of the hours that you commit to a project. Without the community, it wouldn’t be done.”

Despite the number of hours O’Brien admits to spending each week to support different organizations across the region, she recognized the other deserving community members.

“There’s other people in the community too that donate a lot of hours so we can have programs and infrastructure,” O’Brien said. “Our arenas are run totally by volunteers, and the community centre, that is [also] run by volunteers.”

Going forward, O’Brien said that organizations will need additional support from new volunteers.

“We need to have more young people,” O’Brien said. “Not necessarily to sit on boards, but we do need more volunteers. I know a lot of people that volunteer a lot and it’s for the betterment of their local community.”
Perry, a lifelong Waltham resident, has been the director of the SADC Pontiac for 15 years and worked there for 27.

“The work that is being done [by the SADC] is very needed for the region,” Perry said. “It helps small-to-medium sized businesses, whether it be through our different programs or contributing to different local projects.”

She says some businesses are so small they don’t qualify for typical grants and funding.

“Because we’re rural, often the criteria for financing, they don’t qualify,” Perry said, referring to the many one-person businesses across the region. “It’s imperative that we have a service like the SADC to help small businesses.”

Perry also sits on the board of the L’EntourElle women’s shelter and has been involved in parent committees and local school boards. Perry said that for her, like O’Brien, the award came as a surprise.

“I wasn’t even aware of the King Charles III Coronation Medal,” Perry said. “All I’ve been told was that I was nominated for the award.”

Perry was unable to attend the ceremony at Parliament hill, but she said it’s nice to know that the community is supportive of her efforts. She also emphasized that there were many other community members that could have been recognized.

“I think it’s humbling,” Perry said. “I think there are a lot of people that deserve this type of recognition, and I see my involvement and my time that I give up to these organizations as part of me.”

She echoed O’Brien’s hope to see younger generations continue to support the community through volunteer work.

“I grew up in a family where my parents were very involved in the community,” Perry said. “I hope that the next generation follows. I think it’s very important that we continue to volunteer and work for our region to make it a better place to live, thrive and do business.”