Community Members Honoured at 2025 Civic Awards

The City of Peterborough recognized individuals and groups whose volunteer efforts, achievements, and contributions strengthened the community and enhanced residents’ quality of life at the 2025 Civic Awards, held at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough,

“The Civic Awards recognize the outstanding individuals and groups whose contributions and achievements have made a meaningful difference in our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.  “Through their volunteer efforts, dedication, and commitment to others, this year’s recipients have helped enrich the lives of residents across Peterborough. On behalf of City Council and the community, I extend congratulations and appreciation to all of the 2025 Civic Award recipients for the positive impact they have made.”

Civic Award recipients are first nominated by community members and each nomination is reviewed by a Citizen Appointment Selection Working Group. A list of candidates is then brought to City Council for consideration.  

Civic Award recipients are as follows: 

Community Betterment 

• Community Care Peterborough Visiting and Social Safety Volunteers

• Jan Williams-Stephen

• Alan Cavell

• Dr. Cam Crawford

• Tiffany Arcari

• Phillip Jolicoeur

• Makaya Dafoe

Cultural Betterment 

• Peterborough Folk Festival 2025 Board of Directors: Rob Davis, Megan Wells, Rebecca Schillemat, Chad Hogan, Carol Lawless, Tanye Nye, Lyn Giles, Emma Macdonald, Jennifer Jaruczek and Teresa Mycroft

• Peterborough Musicfest Volunteers: Lynda Motschenbacher, Marilyn Philpot, Matthew Cabanlig, Sharon Smith, Lucy Ferrill, Michael Shearer and Tracy Beverley

Athletic Award of Merit 

• Braxtin Howard

• Peterborough U8 Tigers Baseball: Weston Perrin, Lucas Nelson, Easton Condon, Louis Curry, Reed Tivy, Chase Massie, Camden Raftis, Declan Manol, Asher Young, Reign Mercer, Henry Helleman and Jackson Pyke

• Kawartha U9 Girls Lacrosse: Sienna Adams, Kinsley Briffett, Jocelyn Brioux, Carly Clark, Grace Crawford, Layla Doherty, Addie Harrald, Chloe Hunt, Nev McCormick, Olivia Oakley, Emma O’Halloran, Rylan Tully, and Perry White

• Anna Christensen  

• Reed Chamberlain  

Environmental Stewardship/Sustainability 

• Steve Paul

Mayor’s Youth Award 

• Natalie Keys

Holnbeck Award 

• Andrea Dodsworth 

Junior Athlete of the Year 

• Matthew Kathiravelu

Adult Athlete of the Year 

• Karl Allen

Senior Athlete of the Year 

• Scott Wasson

Youth Volunteer of the Year 

• Jenisha Sanjit Arora

Volunteer of the Year 

• Mary Jane Smith

Lifetime Achievement Award 

• The Late Paul Wilson

• Kathy Hiltz

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City of Peterborough Hosting 2025 Civic Awards Ceremony On May 21

The City of Peerborough is hosting its 2025 Civic Awards ceremony on May 21 at 6 p.m. at the McDonnel Street Community Centre.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City of Peterborough Civic Awards recognize individuals and teams for their achievements and contributions in 2025. The annual awards celebrate excellence and community leadership in areas including athletics, arts and culture, volunteerism, environmental stewardship and community betterment. 

The Awards honour individuals and groups across 12 award categories, recognizing residents and volunteers whose efforts have made a meaningful impact in the community. 

The event is open to the public.

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Nomination Deadline Extended For 2025 Civic Awards

Nominations continue to be open for the City of Peterborough’s 2025 Civic Awards until March 31.

file photo.

The annual Civic Awards recognize and honour local volunteers and those who have had a positive impact or outstanding achievement in 2025 through sports, arts, culture or volunteer work.  

Individuals or groups may be recognized across 12 award categories: 

• Adult Athlete of the Year 

• Athletic Award of Merit 

• Community Betterment 

• Cultural Betterment 

• Environmental Stewardship 

• Holnbeck Award 

• Junior Athlete of the Year 

• Lifetime Achievement Award 

• Mayor’s Youth Award 

• Senior Athlete of the Year 

• Volunteer of the Year 

• Youth Volunteer of the Year 

Nominees must be residents and/or property owners in the City of Peterborough. Individuals living outside the City may be recognized if they are part of a city-based group or team receiving an award. Nominees for the Holnbeck Award may be residents of either the City or County of Peterborough. All nominees must be volunteers.

To submit a nomination, visit the website to complete the form and find information on award categories, the nomination process and past winners. Paper copies of the nomination form are also available from the Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 500 George St. N. 

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Nominations Now Open For 2025 Civic Awards

Nominations are now open for the City of Peterborough’s 2025 Civic Awards.

file photo.

The annual Civic Awards recognize and honour local volunteers and those who had a positive impact or outstanding achievement in 2025 through sports, arts, culture or volunteer work.  

“The Civic Awards celebrate the dedication and contributions of individuals and groups across our community whose achievements deserve recognition. By submitting a nomination, residents can help honour those whose efforts have made a meaningful and positive difference in Peterborough,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

Individuals or groups may be recognized across 12 award categories: 

• Adult Athlete of the Year 

• Athletic Award of Merit 

• Community Betterment 

• Cultural Betterment 

• Environmental Stewardship 

• Holnbeck Award 

• Junior Athlete of the Year 

• Lifetime Achievement Award 

• Mayor’s Youth Award 

• Senior Athlete of the Year 

• Volunteer of the Year 

• Youth Volunteer of the Year 

Nominees must be residents and/or property owners in the City of Peterborough. Individuals living outside the City may be recognized if they are part of a city-based group or team receiving an award. Nominees for the Holnbeck Award may be residents of either the City or County of Peterborough. All nominees must be volunteers. 

To submit a nomination, visit the website to complete the form and find information on award categories, the nomination process and past winners. Paper copies of the nomination form are also available from the Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 500 George St. N. 

Nominations will close on Mar. 13 at 4:30 p.m. 

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City of Peterborough Recognizes the 2024 Civic Awards Recipients

The City of Peterborough recognized outstanding citizens and groups for their contributions to its residents during the 2024 Civic Awards ceremony, held at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Tuesday evening.

Councillor Joy Lachica speaking at the 2024 Civic Awards ceremony. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Since 1953, the Civic Awards have recognized individuals and groups that have contributed to enhancing the City through their dedication to sports, volunteerism, the arts and environmentalism.  

“The Civic Awards are one of the most meaningful ways we can say thank you to the residents who make Peterborough a better place,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Each nominee and recipient represent the spirit of generosity, creativity and commitment that defines Peterborough.”

Community members first nominate Civic Award recipients and a Citizen Appointment Selection Working Group reviews each nomination. A list of candidates is then brought to City Council for consideration.  

Here are this year’s Civic Award recipients:  

Community Betterment  

• Peterborough Housing Food Bank Volunteers  

• Aya Darrouba  

• Kinsmen Club of Peterborough 

• Trevor Hesselink 

• Activity Haven Board of Directors 

• Good Neighbours Care Centre 

Cultural Betterment 

• Guru Sai Charan Pitla  

• Friends of the Library 

• Peterborough Girls Hockey Association  

Environmental Stewardship/Sustainability 

• Laura Gardner 

• Shelley Strain 

Athletic Award of Merit 

• Matthew Kathiravelu 

• Toula Pappas 

• Stone Shearer 

Mayor’s Youth Award  

• Rayne Froggatt 

Holnbeck Award 

• John Morris

Junior Athlete of the Year 

• Nicole Jin

Adult Athlete of the Year 

• Cole Lester

Senior Athlete of the Year 

• John Kasperski

Youth Volunteer of the Year 

• Brianna Hearn-Finney

Volunteer of the Year 

• Yvonne Zerafa-Rapson

Lifetime Achievement Award 

• Henry Clarke

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Youth and Holnbeck Civic Award Nominations Open Until Aug. 8

Civic Award nominations are open for the Holnbeck and Youth Volunteer of the Year awards.  

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

The Holnbeck Award recognizes a couple or person who has made a lifelong contribution that has enhanced the quality of life for people with disabilities through volunteer work. Nominees for this award can live in the City or County of Peterborough.   

The Youth Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who was 18 years old or younger in 2025 and has made significant contributions to the development and delivery of community programs and services through volunteer work.  

Nominations close Aug. 8.  

Nomination forms can also be picked up at City Hall, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  

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Nominations Are Open For 2024 Civic Awards Nominations

Nominations for the City of Peterborough 2024 Civic Awards will be open until April 11 at 4:30 p.m., announced on Wednesday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

The Civic Awards recognize those who had a positive impact in the City of Peterborough through sports, arts, culture or volunteer work.

“The Civic Awards are an opportunity to celebrate those who give their time, energy and passion to make Peterborough a better place. I encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate those efforts by nominating deserving individuals and groups,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

Nominations are being accepted for the following categories:

• Adult Athlete of the Year

• Athletic Award of Merit

• Community Betterment

• Cultural Betterment

• Environmental Stewardship

• Holnbeck Award

• Junior Athlete of the Year

• Lifetime Achievement Award

• Mayor’s Youth Award

• Senior Athlete of the Year

• Volunteer of the Year

• Youth Volunteer of the Year

Nominees must be a resident and/or a property owner in the City. Those living outside the city can be recognized if they are part of a city group or team and receive an award. Holnbeck Award nominees can be residents of either the City or County of Peterborough. All nominees must be volunteers.

Applications are available online or paper copies can be obtained at the Clerk's Office at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

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City of Peterborough Hands Out 2023 Civic Awards

The 2023 Civic Awards were presented by City Council at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Tuesday.

civc awards photo

The awards recognize contributions to the community that enriched the lives of residents and outstanding individual and group achievements in the city in 2023, according to a City of Peterborough media release.

“It’s an honour to recognize the outstanding achievements and efforts of these exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the life of our community,” mayor Jeff Leal said. “Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to making our city a better place is truly inspiring.”

Award Recipients:

Community Betterment

• Peterborough Police Auxiliary Unit

• Myles Conner

• Irish Millie

• Jennifer and Braden Glasbergen

• Marie Gulliver

• Dave Rumball

• Peterborough Lions Club

Cultural Betterment

• Sebastian Johnston-Lindsay

• Tina Avlonitis

Environmental Stewardship/Sustainability

• Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group

Athletic Award of Merit

• Holy Cross Secondary School Girls Hockey Team

• Chelsea Burton

• Kenner Senior Boys Basketball Team

• MacKenna Hancock

Holnbeck Award

• John McNutt

Junior Athlete of the Year

• Alexis Jenkins

Youth Volunteer of the Year

• Titus Ngouepo

Volunteer of the Year

• Greg McLeod

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Ron Cambridge

“On behalf of the entire city, I extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all of this year's recipients,” Leal said.

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2023 Civic Awards Nominations Remain Open Until April 5

Nominations for the City of Peterborough 2023 Civic Awards will be open until April 5 at 4:30 p.m., announced on Thursday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

The annual Civic Awards recognize and honour local volunteers and achievers in sports, arts, and culture who had outstanding achievements in 2023. 

Nominations are being accepted for the following categories: 

• Community Betterment 

• Cultural Betterment 

• Environmental Stewardship 

• Holnbeck Award 

• Adult Athlete of the Year 

• Athletic Award of Merit 

• Junior Athlete of the Year 

• Senior Athlete of the Year 

• Mayor's Youth Award 

• Volunteer of the Year 

• Youth Volunteer of the Year 

• Lifetime Achievement Award 

Nomination packages are available using the interactive form online and paper copies are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N. 

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2023 Civic Awards Open For Nominations

Nominations for the City of Peterborough 2023 Civic Awards are now open that recognize and honour local volunteers and achievers in sports, arts and culture who had outstanding achievements last year.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“It’s the people of Peterborough that make our City special,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “If you know someone who had outstanding accomplishments in 2023 through sport or volunteerism in community, culture or environmental stewardship, let’s make sure they get recognized. Nominate them for a City of Peterborough Civic Award.”

Nominations are being accepted for the following categories:

• Community Betterment

• Cultural Betterment

• Environmental Stewardship

• Holnbeck Award

• Adult Athlete of the Year

• Athletic Award of Merit

• Junior Athlete of the Year

• Senior Athlete of the Year

• Mayor's Youth Award

• Volunteer of the Year

• Youth Volunteer of the Year

• Lifetime Achievement Award

Nomination packages can be submitted using the interactive form online or paper copies can be obtained at City Hall, 500 George St. N. 

Nominations will be open until April 5 at 4:30 p.m. Awards will be presented publicly in June.

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