Two Killarney residents were honored this past week at the Women of Distinction Awards Gala (WOD) held in Brandon.

Joyce Dietrich was nominated in the Education & Mentorship Category.  “It’s very honoring and very surprising,” she shares.

Dietrich has been Chair of the J.A.V. David Museum for the past 13 years and is the lead to ensure the ongoing success of that Killarney museum.  

‘Joyce is known as a nurse for the nurses,’ states her biography in the evening’s program.  ‘Joyce is a profound mentor in her field and is always available to help, trouble-shoot, or provide alternative approaches to solve problems.  Joyce spends countless hours with the museum planning events, programs, and displays for the public to enjoy.  Joyce is always ready to listen and help, she strives to build people up and exemplifies what it means to put your best food forward.’

It was in the nursing field that started the life-long friendship between Joyce Dietrich and Ann Magwood, Magwood being the one to nominate Joyce for this award.

“Ann and I both worked as nurses at the Tri-Lake Health Centre (in Killarney) and we both volunteer at the J.A.V. David Museum in Killarney and I’m the Chair and she is the Vice-Chair and Secretary.  We’ve worked fairly closely together over the past 2 years since she’s been on board with our other Board members, Betty Sorenson and Margo Lyons and Stacy Blair Shackle.”

Joyce’s husband, John, and daughter, Callie, as well as Ann Magwood joined Joyce for this special evening.  To be surrounded by women who are leaders in their community was inspiring to all who attended. But also, to be acknowledged in a room full of dynamic women from across the Region was both inspirational and humbling, to say the least.

“It feels wonderful to be able to get out and see the other nominees and all the other people and mingle.  It’s been very, very nice!” adds Dietrich.

Fellow Killarney resident and leader in her community, Laurie Campbell, was also acknowledged on the stage of the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium on Thursday night.   

Campbell attended the evening event with her 2 daughters, Allison and Lindsay, as well as co-worker, Sean Lockhart, who is the Care Team Manager at Tri-Lake Hospital in Killarney, Glenboro Hospital and Treherne Hospital.

Campbell was nominated in the Community Leadership & Social Action category.   Campbell ‘is a long-time leader in the IT business solution community but has spent several years volunteering with Killarney Foundation and the Killarney Lakeside Golf Course,’ states her bio in the awards program. 

‘During the pandemic, Laurie championed a three-season visiting room for Bayside Care Home.  Laurie also provided meaningful work towards a revitalization project of the inner courtyard to provide another safe space for family and residents to spend quality time.’

“I’m very honored to be recognized at this beautiful event,” shares Campbell.  There’s just so many worthy people being recognized.  So, I’m honored that my name has been put forward.  I love Killarney and working for the community is just an honor to do that and a privilege, and I get to hang out with really great people and accomplish fantastic projects.  So, it’s been fun!”