By Spencer Sterritt

Nanaimo-area men honoured for their volunteerism

Sep 11, 2018 | 5:39 PM

NANAIMO — After decades of helping others, three Nanaimo volunteers were recognized for their amazing contributions to the community.

Peter Betcher and Jeffery Lott of Nanaimo, as well as John MacFarlane of Qualicum Beach, were awarded the Sovereign’s Medal of Volunteerism on Sept. 6 in Victoria. The medals were given by the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of B.C. on behalf of Canada’s Governor General the Right Honourable Julie Payette.

With volunteering with the Royal Canadian Legion and the Navy League Cadet Core as well as St. Johns Ambulance, giving to others is almost entirely how Peter Betcher fills his day.

He said the benefit of volunteering and citizenship was deeply ingrained in him while he was a cadet.

“We were always encouraged to get out into our local communities and participate wherever we can and contribute to the fabric of our society. I’ve been very fortunate, I’ve met some very influential people who made a strong impression on me to keep volunteering.”

modified weapon

Sawed-off shotgun seized after Nanaimo RCMP spot well-known offender

1h ago

rainbow eyes

Nanaimo judge hands old growth logging protestor additional jail time

3h ago

Paris Bound

Nanaimo race walker Olivia Lundman qualifies for Paris Olympic Games

5h ago

Betcher said anyone who’s interested in volunteering but doesn’t have an extensive background in helping others just needs to find something their passionate about.

“We have so many community-minded organizations in the Nanaimo-area who need help, so just follow your passion and find your niche.”

Following his passion is exactly how Qualicum Beach resident John MacFarlane found himself receiving the Sovereign’s Medal.

His lifelong enthusiasm and curiosity about the ocean led to the creation of the Nauticapedia Project, an extensive online database about the Pacific Ocean. Since 1976 it’s grown from a stack of scribbled notes, to shoeboxes full of cue cards and finally a website which garnered 4.5 million hits last year.

The award was given to MacFarlane for the role his project has in keeping the history and curious spirit about oceanic history alive for future generations.

“We don’t really know what’s out there,” he said about why the project is important. “We don’t know how it’s working. We don’t know how important it is to industry, the economy and the environment.”

MacFarlane said it was humbling to see the other 39 individuals who earned the medal and hear about what they’d done to help the world.

Recipient Jeffery Lott couldn’t be reached for comment.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit