TISDALE — Tisdale resident Ellen Burgess received the Volunteer of the Year Lifetime Achievement award at the 39th annual Tisdale Appreciation Night.
Lesley Thibault, director of recreation and parks for Tisdale, said the town wouldn’t have the success it has today without volunteers.
“You wouldn’t see any success in running any of the events, or supporting fundraising to purchase items for the community,” Thibault said. “I don’t know, but I think it would be pretty boring if we didn’t have volunteers to because then we wouldn’t have the activities like the Curling Club she’s a part of.”
Burgess regularly volunteers at the Tisdale Riverside Golf Club, organizing the weekly Thursday Seniors’ Day and the Seniors’ Wind-up at the end of each season. Up until recently, she was also in charge of organizing the Wednesday Ladies’ Golf. In addition, Burgess cares for the flower bed in front of the clubhouse.
“My husband and I always liked to golf and my three boys really enjoyed golfing,” Burgess said. “So when we retired off the farm I went to support and help out there.”
Burgess was actively involved in the Tisdale Minor Hockey Association in the 1970s and 80s while her three sons were involved. Her work won her the Butt trophy.
Additionally, she currently volunteers at the Tisdale Community Curling Club, the United Church and the Golden Age Centre.
Burgess moved to the Tisdale area with her aunt when she was three. It was her aunt that she believes inspired her to be an involved volunteer.
“She just thought it was your duty, and then when I got married, had kids in sports and I just always felt it was my job to give back to the community,” she said.
Achievements
Tisdale and District Strings
- Abigail Summach received the 2019 Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence for Grade 1 Classical Violin
- Jennifer Summach received the 2019 Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence for the Grade 2 Classical Violin as well as the Nell King Award for Strings
- Rhesa Petersen received the 2019 Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence for Theory 1
- Samuel Petersen received the 2019 Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence for Grade 4 Classical Violin
- Sianne Bassingthwaite received the 2019 Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence for Grade 4 Cello
- Tilka Chapman received the 2019 Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence for Grade 3 Cello
- Tori Baerg received the 2019 Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence for Grade 3 Piano as well as the Helene Blais Music Scholarship award
- Austin Novak received the 2019 Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence for Grade 5 Classical Violin.
The instructors were Rebecca Hankins-Vopni and Alicia Vopni-Summach.
TMSS Archery
- McKenzie Squires received the 2019 Saskatchewan NASP Provincial 3D Middle Years Champion award,
- Regan Squires received the 2019 Saskatchewan NASP Provincial 3D High School Champion as well as the NASP 3D Grade 10 Champion.
The team’s coach was Scott Sunderland.
Tisdale 4-H Beef Junior Curling Team
- Ty Olson, Austin Olson, Levi Halvorson, Travis Holmstrom and Terren Roszell received the 2019 4-H Provincial Junior Curling Champions award.
The team’s coach was Scott Sunderland.
Motocross
- Brock Cresswell received the 2019 MX1 Junior 450 cc Class Provincial Champion.
The coach was Bryce Cook.
