2005 ROBERT J. BOYER AWARD

KEN VEITCH

In 2001, the Foundation established the Robert J. Boyer Award to honour individuals who demonstrate significant commitment to the cultural and historical heritage of Muskoka. The award is named after Bob Boyer, a local historian with a life-long commitment to the unique cultural heritage of Muskoka, and was created through the generosity of Ms. Vicki Billingsley, Mr. Boyer's daughter. Mr. Boyer was a politician, an author, a publisher, and a tireless promoter of Muskoka. He wrote the quintessential book of Bracebridge's history, A Good Town Grew Here, and he was instrumental in the restoration of Woodchester Villa. For a time, Mr. Boyer acted as a trustee for the Royal Ontario Museum. Mr. Boyer was a founding patron of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation and was an honourary patron until his death earlier this year.

Ken Veitch was born in Ufford, schooled there and in Bracebridge, and began his career as a banker there. He assumed the role of Bracebridge's fourth Town Clerk in 1966, at the age of 26. During his thirty-year tenure in that post, he never missed a single meeting of council -613 in all!

In 1996, he retired from that position to pursue a career in the investment business, which he combined with two additional 'hobby' careers: one, as a maker of walking sticks; the other, as a guide of historical tours of Bracebridge and Muskoka. It is for his sizeable historical knowledge, foresight as an archival collector, and stewardship of Bracebridge and Muskoka history that he is recognized in today's award proceedings.

Ken is devoted to Muskoka and every aspect of its heritage: built, cultural and natural. His volunteer service over the years exemplifies this stewardship. He created and remains sole custodian of a large and exemplary archives of the Town of Bracebridge, all meticulously cross- referenced and of great use to local historians. His far sightedness in creating such an archive will be treasured by future generations.

He is a published author of short stories and local history, was instrumental in the restoration and reclamation of the Bracebridge Bay Park, has been exceptionally active in forest stewardship and became chairman of the Board of Directors of the Parry-Sound/Muskoka Stewardship Network.

He was also the first Chairman of the Trillium Foundation for the Muskoka section of the Temiskaming, Nipissing, Parry Sound and Muskoka area.

In 2001, Ken won the Community Service Award (Bracebridge) and was a recipient, in 2002, of the Queen's Jubilee Commemorative Medal. His sport is even classic Muskoka - hockey - at which he excelled both as a player and as a coach.

Ken's interests extend to Haliburton where he actively campaigned for the re-establishment of the Leslie Frost Centre. He is a founding member of the J.P. McVittie Nature Reserve (Eilean Gowan Island) management committee, and a founding member of the Muskoka River Delta Nature Reserve management committee. These are but a few of his numerous volunteer accomplishments but these are the ones that have made him especially deserving of this award.