The Cobourg Civic Awards stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication and selfless spirit of local residents who tirelessly work towards the betterment of our community. Each year, these awards honor individuals who exemplify outstanding volunteerism and community involvement, recognizing their invaluable contributions to Cobourg’s growth and development.
Led by the Civic Awards Committee, a thorough review of applications takes place, culminating in the selection of deserving winners who are recommended to Council. Decisions are then deliberated upon by council in Closed Session meetings before the awards are presented.
Eligibility criteria dictate that recipients must reside or operate a business within the Town of Cobourg, although exceptions may be made for non-residents who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism in our community. Notably, paid professionals, service clubs, and Town of Cobourg employees in their official capacity are ineligible for nominations, underscoring the emphasis on grassroots volunteerism and community service.
Committee Chair Beth Selby reflected on the selection process.
Classic Rock 107.9’s York Bell Smith was honoured at the awards with a Community Service award.
Selby told us that the committee had no lack of deserving nominations to make recommendations from.
The awards include two main categories, the Major Awards (for volunteers with service over five years) for which there are 11 categories and the Distinguished Civic Awards, which differ from the Major Awards as they recognize specific contributions made during 2022/2023.
For York Bell Smith, it was an affirmation of the importance of volunteerism and a recognition of what our community might look like without these selfless individuals and groups.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
