While many were focused on honouring Canada's veterans on Remembrance Day weekend, a small group of individuals were also being honoured for their role in shaping their communities.

As part of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal award, 30 constituents of South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale MP Russ Hiebert's riding were honoured Saturday for their contributions to their communities and Canada as a whole.

Awarded by Hiebert on behalf of the Governor General of Canada's office, the medals are a celebratory award created to honour Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary on the throne). There were 60,000 to be awarded across Canada.

"This medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country while at the same time it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians from all walks of life," said Hiebert.

The recipients from South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale are as follows:

Lyle Beaudoin, Albert Bruins, Darshan Charna, Heather Crawford, John DeForest, Susan Driedger, Bernice Donald, Muriel Dove, Stephen Elder, Rodney Elgert, Earle Fraser, Brad Forster, Judy Forster, Barry Hickman, Erik Hilmer, Vern Hoing, Frank Huber, Kwan-Ying Jen, Duncan MacKenzie, Kathleen Maclennan, Jane Manning, Mary Mikelson, Andrew Newman, Terry Newman, Tim Perritt, Pat Petrala, Roger Prouse, Elsie Ringham, Brenda Stubbs and Jeanette Tabb.

"As much as possible I was looking to recognize people whose lengthy volunteerism had, so far, gone largely unrecognized by the wider community," said Hiebert.

"In other words, I wanted to see the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal honour 30 largely unsung heroes in our community."

cpoon@thenownewspaper.com

Twitter @questionchris