Each year, the Town of BWG celebrates local citizens and groups who have made a significant contribution to the community with the presentation of Civic Awards. The awards are presented each year on the Main Stage at the July 1 Canada Day Celebrations at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury conducted its first ever Civic Awards competition and ceremony in 2007 in celebration of Bradford's 150th birthday. While there have been minor alterations to the categories and process in the years since, the Town has continued to use the Civic Awards program to recognize important contributors to the community's success.
Nominations now OPEN for 2025 Civic Awards
Deadline: May 16, 2025
Eligibility
Each nominee must be a resident, group or organization located in Bradford West Gwillimbury, and the nominee may not have previously received the same award.
Nominations must be for contributions that have positively impacted the community and that were made between May 1 of the previous year and April 30 of the current year. Specific examples and descriptions are required. At the discretion of Council, more than one award may be presented per category, or there may be no award in a given category if eligible nominations are not received.
Categories
Nominations are accepted in the following categories (new or one-time categories may be added as Council deems necessary):
Sports Achievement Award (individual)
This award can be given to a male, female or both and has no age restrictions. Recipient must be an amateur athlete that has achieved significant accomplishments, such as improvements, record setting, championships at the local, provincial, national or international level, representing Ontario at a national level, and representing Canada at an international level.
Organization of the Year (group)
This award can be given to a not for profit or profit organization that resides in Bradford West Gwillimbury. The organization needs to be established and well-known in the community, along with making major contributions through volunteer service and/or sponsorship.
Citizen of the Year (individual)
This award can be given to a male, female or both, over the age 18. The recipient will be someone who has made long standing major contributions to Bradford West Gwillimbury for a minimum of five years. They are actively involved in various groups, organizations and town activities and are known for being kind and friendly.
Junior Citizen of the Year (individual)
This award can be given to a male, female or both, under the age of 18. The recipient of this award is someone who has made significant contributions to Bradford West Gwillimbury and has been recognized at school for their accomplishments. They are actively involved in clubs and teams and volunteer frequently.
Senior of the Year (individual 55 +)
This award can be given to a male, female or both, over the age of 55. The recipient will be someone who has made significant contributions to Bradford West Gwillimbury for a minimum of five years. They are actively involved in various groups, clubs, organizations and town activities and are known for being a champion for the community.
Sports Team of the Year (group)
This award can be given to any type of sports team and does not have any age restrictions. The team needs to be from Bradford West Gwillimbury, or have a majority of players on the team from Bradford West Gwillimbury. As a team they will have needed to make some reputable achievements such as improvements, record setting and coming in first, second or third locally, provincially or nationally.
Volunteer of the Year
This award can be given to a male, female or both, and is not restricted to age. The recipient of this award needs to have been volunteering for a minimum of five years with an organization/s that supports the Bradford West Gwillimbury community while not receiving any profits for their time. The nominator is encouraged to provide a recommendation letter outlining the candidate's volunteer efforts.
Bravery Award
This award can be given to a male, female or both and is not restricted to age. The recipient of this award will be acknowledged for an act of heroism or bravery that includes, attempting to save another's life (person or animal), saving another's life (person or animal), providing first aid, or preventing harm.
Past Recipients
Senior of the Year - Elke Pitkin
Volunteer of the Year - Michael Nadon
Bravery Award - Sujay Sunny & Stephanie Gillard
Sports Team of the Year - MIMPA's Triple Threat Team
Sports Achievement Award - Blake Fregeau
Sports Achievement Award - Daniel Murray
Community Builder - Neil & Ellen Rombough
Organization of the Year - Bradford Wolves Soccer Club
Junior Citizen of the Year - Niki Tokhi
Citizen of the Year - Gavin Maclean
Volunteer of the Year: Grace Wittig
Senior of the Year: Cecilia Podger
Bravery Award: Cameron David Goddard
Sports Team of the Year: Holy Trinity Tigers (2022 OSFSAA AA girls soccer champions)
Sports Achievement Award: Aiden Brooks
Sports Achievement Award: Kelsey Araujo
Community Builder: Daniel Scott
Organization of the Year: Music in Motion Performing Arts Studio
Junior Citizen of the Year: Brooke Wappel
Citizen of the Year: Peter Reali
Volunteer of the Year - Gail Smart
Citizen of the Year - Assunta Rose
Junior Citizen of the Year - Kayla Gunn
Senior of the Year - Leo Marano
Bravery Award - BWG Crossing Guards
Organization of the Year - Helping Hand Food Bank
Sports Achievement Award - Carter Stephen
Sports Team of the Year - Elite Dance Crops
Lifetime Community Correspondant Award - Miriam King
Volunteer of the Year - Adam Qureshi
Volunteer of the Year - Katie Slykhuis
Citizen of the Year - Francesso Gammicchua
Junior Citizen of the Year - Rushell Campbell
Senior of the Year - Jan Evans
Bravery Award - First Responders, Enforcement Officers, Front Line Customer Service Personnel and all others involved in supporting the residents of 114 Holland St W.
Organization of the Year - Out of the Cold Cafe
Sports Achievement Award - Monique Shah
Sports Achievement Award - Carlos Costa
Community Resiliency Award - Holland Marsh Growers Association
Volunteer of the Year - Gavin Maclean
Citizen of the Year - Leila and Edgar Lloyd
Junior Citizen of the Year - Sarah Dahlgren
Senior of the Year - Lynda Usher
Bravery Award - Health Care Workers
Sports Team of the Year - Bradford Bulldogs Minor Novice Select
Organization of the Year - World Citizens Youth Group
Sports Achievement Award - Olivia Deane
Lifetime Sports Builder - Paul Dossey
Volunteer of the Year- Rosi Martin
Citizen of the Year - Anne and William Silvey
Junior Citizen of the Year - Emily Dahlgren
Senior of the Year - Milt and Jean Calder
Bravery Award - Victoria Vigneau
Sports Team of the Year - South Simcoe Sonics
Organization of the Year - Tec-We-Gwill Women's Institute
Sports Achievement Award - Avery Steyn
Athlete of the Year - Luca Venditti
Youth of the Year - Edie Wise
Senior of the Year - Larry Wise
Organization of the Year - BWG Diversity Group
Cultural Awareness Award - Adriana McNeill Salinas
Outstanding Achievement Award - Mike Giovanetti
Sports Team of the Year& - BDHS Girls Rugby
Citizens of the Year - Liz and Bob Pegg
Volunteer Service Award - Francine Grenon
2017:
Citizen of the Year - Nancy Young
Athlete of the Year - Giulia Geraci
Athlete of the Year - Alex Doma
Canada 150 Heritage Award - Dr. David Chambers
Organization of the Year - Royal Canadian Legion Orville Hand Branch 521
Senior of the Year - Stella Wadsworth
Volunteer Service Award - Jennifer Pegg and Liz Pegg
Outstanding Achievement - Nicholas Molnar
Community Builder - Rev. Jim Keenan
Youth Initiative Award - Fred C. Cook Public School
Sports Team of the Year - Bradford Bulldogs Midget A Hockey Team
2016:
Citizen of the Year - Robin Evans
Volunteer Service Award - Sarah Burns
Sports Team of the Year (School) - Holy Trinity Boys Soccer Team
Organization of the Year - Bradford Children’s Choir
Sports Team of the Year (Club) - Bradford Eagles “1998” Girls Soccer Team
Outstanding Achievement - Royal Conservatory Winners: Marie Conceicao, Liza Davidenko, Jennifer Reitzel
Youth of the Year - Jenevieve Scobbie
Athlete of the Year - Becky Tresham
Volunteer Service Award - Elsie Silva
Senior of the Year - Elaine Love
2015:
Sports Team of the Year - BDHS Junior Girls Basketball Team
Organization of the Year - Orville Hand Royal Canadian Legion Branch 521
Lifetime Community Advocate Organization - Good Neighbours Committee
Community Builder - Cathy Topp McLean
Outstanding Achievement - Mary Ingoglia
Volunteer Service Award - Peter Fudge
Volunteer Service Award - Margaret Reid
Volunteer Service Award - Ken Wallace
Athlete of the Year - Kelsey Araujo
Youth of the Year - Kyle Ratusny
Local Hero Award - Noah Hale
Senior of the Year - Paul Burston
Citizen of the Year - Frank Ferragine
2014:
Sports Team of the Year - BDHS Boys' Curling Team
Organization of the Year - Bradford Lions Club
Community Builder - Ron Simpson
Outstanding Achievement - Ryan Kelly & Adam Williston
Outstanding Achievement - Holland Marsh Growers Association
Volunteer Service Award - Barbara Andrews
Volunteer Service Award - Marion Thompson
Athlete of the Year - Sandi Dickson
Youth of the Year - Leah Carniello
Senior of the Year - Jim Walker
Citizen of the Year - Henrica (Rini) Van Heeswyk
2013:
Sports Team of the Year - U-15 Girls Soccer
Organization of the Year - Bond Head 175
Community Builder - Heather Palmer & Jenn Chown
Community Builder - Munawar Chaudary>
Outstanding Achievement - Lorraine & Steve Duncan
Volunteer Service Award - Jean Gordon
Volunteer Service Award - May Bowles
Athlete of the Year - Nana Ntim
Youth of the Year - Emily Meijs
Senior of the Year - Wladislawa (Laddie) Balon
Senior of the Year - Gertrud Erdenberger
Citizen of the Year - Frank Lotto - accepted by Carol Lotto
2012:
Organization of the Year - BDHS Drama Club
Athlete of the Year - Ashley Campbell
Citizen of the Year - Jack MacFadden
Outstanding Achievement - Joey Mazzucco and Matthew Phillips
Volunteer Service - Bonnie West, Carol Belanger
Senior of the Year - Anne Silvey
Youth of the Year - Ashley Guay
Community Builder - Anne Nadon
2011:
Organization of the Year - South Simcoe Streams Network
Athlete of the Year - Monique Shah
Citizen of the Year - George Jackson
Outstanding Achievement - Richard Duncan
Volunteer Service - Pearl Astoforoff
Senior of the Year - Mae Eek, Donald McGugan
Youth of the Year - Cole McMichael
2010:
Organization of the Year - Bradford Skating Club
Athlete of the Year - Brandon Mashinter
Citizen of the Year - Mary and Vita Hair Design
Outstanding Achievement - BDHS Senior Girls Volleyball Team
Volunteer Service - Jan Craig
Senior of the Year - Gerda Slykhuis
Youth of the Year - Natalie Petra
Community Builder - Matthew Walker
2009:
Organization of the Year - Bond Head Lions Club
Athlete of the Year - Kelby Halbert
Citizen of the Year - Phyllis Henderson
Outstanding Achievement - BDHS Cheerleaders
Volunteer Services - Diane Granger
Senior of the Year - George Jackson, Orville Hand
2008:
Organization of the Year - Bradford Scouts
Athlete of the Year - Amanda Tresham
Citizen of the Year - Jayne Green
Outstanding Achievement - The Gwillim Group
Volunteer Services - Rick Jones
Senior of the Year - Gerry Slykhuis
2007:
Organization of the Year - SANTA
Athlete of the Year - David Davenport
Citizen of the Year - Mikki Nanowski
Outstanding Achievement - YNOT Committee
Volunteer Services - Bill Marks
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