The Gabriola Island Health Care Foundation, Society, and Auxiliary have all been honoured by the Islands Trust (IT) for their work in building the urgent treatment room and medical offices at the community clinic at the top of Church Street.

In a June 13 press release regarding the IT’s 2012 Community Stewardship Awards, Trust Council Chair Sheila Malcolmson said: “These awards acknowledge individuals and groups who make significant contributions towards preserving the community, culture, or environment of an island. The award program is designed to celebrate the dedicated people who have donated countless hours in service to preserving and protecting the Islands Trust Area, in cooperation with others”.

“This year”, she said, “we had a record number of nominations with 14 individuals and four groups nominated for the awards. The diverse nature of the work of the nominees and the quality of the projects in which they have been involved is incredible. This year we increased the number of awards from six to eight to recognise the extraordinary achievements of this year’s pool of nominees”.

The press release also notes that the Trust added a new category this year “to recognise and encourage the actions of individuals and organisations that are working in the area of climate change”.

The award will be presented to the health society at a Local Trust Committee meeting the press release says.