Local Heroes 2024
A salute to eight people whose passionate work has changed our community for the better.
Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson, one of our Local Heroes this year, describes embracing diversity as being “like installing elevators in a building. While they provide essential accessibility for people with disabilities, they also benefit everyone else.”
Our heroes show how the same is true of community. Whether it’s fighting racism, starring on the Olympic stage, being a champion of the arts, or a champion in the fight against family violence or cancer, or being an all-around volunteer extraordinaire, everyone in our community benefits and is lifted by their efforts so, as Alethia puts it, “Everyone can rise together.”
Click on the links or the pictures below to read more about this year’s heroes.
David Nairn
Under David’s leadership, Theatre Orangeville has become recognized as unique in Canada, both for the number of original Canadian works it stages, and for the innovative way it connects with the community. Read more.
Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson
Alethia moved to Shelburne in 2014, and you have to wonder if she’s taken any time to sleep since she got there. On top of her full time job, she is also an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Read more.
Linda Banks
Volunteer extraordinaire Linda Banks gives her time and energy to seniors groups, festivals and events, the library, the local theatre and more, and she’s even been named Senior of the Year representing Orangeville. Read more.
Gavin Dandy and Della Campbell
The couple behind Everdale Farm in Hillsburgh has spent almost 25 years growing local food, working with food banks, tackling food insecurity, and running programs on agriculture, to name a few of their initiatives. Read more.
Norah Kennedy
On her retirement as executive director of Family Transition Place, Norah Kennedy leaves with only one regret: the work she has embraced so passionately for 17 years is just as urgent as ever. Read more.
Barbara Karasiuk
Concerned about rising cancer rates and her own sister’s diagnosis, Caledon’s Barbara Karasiuk, now 79, challenged herself to her first fundraiser walk in 2003 and has participated in 19 more since then. Read more.
Alysha Newman
Caledon’s pole vaulting champion didn’t just take home a bronze medal at the recent Paris Olympics; she reached a height so lofty that it set a Canadian record and fewer than 10 women in the world are known to have exceeded it. Read more.
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Local Heroes 2023
Nov 27, 2023 | | Local HeroesHere’s to the hard-working folk who are passionate about helping others, and making our communities a great place to call home.
Local Heroes 2022
Nov 20, 2022 | | Back IssuesEvery year we honour those who go above and beyond to help others, to make exciting things happen, and to improve the quality of life in their communities.
