(Submitted photo/Kerrie de Gooijer)

By Ben Tompkins

Mel-Bex Awards

2023 Junior and Citizen of the Year announced by Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce

Mar 15, 2024 | 5:14 PM

Melfort’s best people of the past year will be celebrated at the Mel-Bex Awards next weekend.

With the event set to return after six or seven years, that also meant the return of the two Citizen of the Year awards.

First, it was Kerrie de Gooijer who was named the Citizen of the Year after her large amount of volunteer work, most notably recently for the Melfort Curling Club.

“I grew up volunteering all my life, so it was always something fun to do, even at a young age. It was something that brought you joy and kind of helped your community, so growing up it was always a really good experience. I’ve always been involved with volunteering and it just so happened that the curling club is kind of the main thing as of late,” she said.

“I’d also like to highlight that it’s never just a one-person show, I’m thankful that there are lots of people in the community who are heavily involved as well and probably deserve as much recognition if not more, than I.”

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In the last 12 months, the local curling rink has continued to thrive, as nearly $1 million has been raised for their revitalization project, while simultaneously being the host for Curling Day in Canada this past month.

In her nomination, de Gooijer was described as a “dedicated volunteer and agronomy operations manager whose practical approach and strategic thinking have revitalized the local curling scene.”

Meanwhile, the second Melfort native to be honoured will be Josephina Hovedestad, as the Junior Citizen of the Year.

(Submitted photo/Josephina Hovedestad)

“I was completely shocked, it’s such a great honour, I’m very appreciative of it, and it was something I never thought that I would be nominated for, so I was completely blown away,” she told northeastNOW.

“I love being a part of my community and I love giving back to those who help me. Volunteering is such a fun thing and I think more people should do it because it gives the feeling of accomplishment when you’re helping people.”

Hovedestad was involved in Youth4Change during the summer of 2023, through Melfort Youth Evolution, as a handful of local youth advocated at the provincial level for health issues involving vaping.

Their efforts led to the passing of legislation which raised the legal age for purchasing vaping and tobacco products.

She was described by her nominator, as someone who “demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Melfort through community service, volunteerism, and plus involvement in various organizations, which left a significant positive impact on the community.”

The Mel-Bex Awards will run on Saturday, Mar. 23, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the event have now been sold out.

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