Marlys Diamond, a long-time Qualicum Beach resident, was honored for her outstanding service to our community. The Rotary Clubs of Qualicum Beach and Parksville proudly presented her with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award. The Paul Harris Fellowship Award is one of the highest honors that Rotary can bestow upon an individual. Recipients of the Paul Harris Award are Rotarians and community members in recognition of their outstanding contributions, exemplifying the highest ideal of Rotary in placing “Service Above Self.”
Serving our community, Marlys was a Town Councillor for two terms. She was also responsible for the Communities in Bloom program beginning in 2000 and this past year, “Year of the Garden.” She was recognized with the “Citizen of the Year” award in 2003, Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and the “Queens Diamond Jubilee” recipient in 2012.
Most recently, Marlys was involved in the Oceanside Health Centre, The Perfect Storm Organization, which resulted in the Flowerstone Clinic for Nurse Practitioners in Qualicum Beach.
She is also an advocate for Forward House. Over the years, Marlys has been very community minded and involved in many other community initiatives and associations.
The champagne reception was hosted at Berwick, Qualicum Beach, with special guest Berta Briggs from Wetaskiwin, AB. Berta, an international judge for Communities in Bloom, was here judging in her first year and developed a lifelong friendship with Marlys. Karen Rohats, President, Board of Directors of Forward House; Susanna Newton, Executive Director of SOS; Dr. Jim Dimmick, who served on the Perfect Storm Committee with Marlys; many members of our Town administration, including Mayor Tenuis Westbroek. Representing Rotary was Lynn Pearson, Assistant District Governor of Rotary District 5020, along with members of the Rotary Clubs of Qualicum Beach and Parksville.
Marlys’ son Randy Diamond from Victoria attended along with many of Marlys’ lifelong Oceanside friends.
The Paul Harris Fellowship Award was presented to Marlys by Lynne Pearson, Assistant District Governor of Rotary District 5020, along with Dave Willie, Executive member of Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach. The event was emceed by Matt Breedlove, President of the Rotary Club of Parksville.
A generous donation has been made to the Rotary Foundation in recognition of the great service that Marlys has provided to our community. Donations were also accepted at the event for Forward House.
A heartfelt thank you, Marlys, for all she has accomplished for our community. It is individuals such as yourself that make a huge impact.
