BOATING ONTARIO AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE ANNOUNCED AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & CONFERENCE
Dec 5, 2017
Andy Adams accepting the W.J. Robertson Award.
The 2017 Boating Ontario Awards of Excellence were an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of four individuals whose efforts embody the principles of the Association and the industry. The selection process involves nomination opportunities from members, a detailed review of all nominees by the Board of Directors and input from Boating Ontario staff.
The ROBERT EATON ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD celebrates individuals and businesses who are dedicated to environmental responsibility and stewardship while contributing their time and efforts to advance the Boating Ontario Clean Marine program.
As most know Bob Eaton was extremely passionate about our world renowned Clean Marine Program and on occasion wouldn’t take NO for an answer when it came to the importance of this project.
Robert Eaton Environmental Award was won by Queen’s Cove Marina.
The recipient of the 2017 Bob Eaton Environmental award is Queen’s Cove Marina located in Victoria Harbour. Queen’s Cove has been in the Clean Marine program for over a dozen years starting out at a 3 Anchor rating, graduating to a 5 anchor Gold in 2010 and graduating to a 5 Anchor diamond rating this past year. The strides that Queens Cove has made over these years cannot go unrecognized. In 2017, Queens Cove recycled over 2800 litres of waste oil and 87,000 Sq. feet of shrink wrap. Queen’s Cove certainly is deserving of this prestigious award.
The GORD BLAKE VISIONARY AWARD recognizes an individual or business who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of innovation or successfully leveraged an opportunity for visionary leadership within the boating industry.
Ted Rankine, the 2017 award recipient recognized a need for boating safety information to help new Canadians who were interested in boating, but had no easy access to information. With the Lifesaving Society, he developed the concept of the ‘STARTboating’ program.
Ted Rankine was presented with the Gord Blake Visionary Award for the “STARTboating” campaign.
With limited knowledge about boating, the rules of the water, or how to be safe on the water, new Canadians were buying entry level human powered craft like canoes and kayaks through mass merchandisers. At no point in the purchasing cycle did these new boaters ever realize the value that a marina or boat dealer could bring, to enhance their boating experience with their families.
Addressing one of the most challenging hurdles for new Canadians the “STARTboating” campaign is available for free. The onlineinformation is delivered in English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi and Tagalog. Using entertaining and informative video, the STARTboating program introduces new boaters to our sport in their language.
The STARTboating program was launched by the Lifesaving Society with funding from Public Safety Canada earlier this year. For new, or soon to be new boaters, STARTboating breaks down the barrier of the unknown and demonstrates that, with just a bit of knowledge, boating can be fun and safe.
The W. J. ROBERTSON AWARD recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution and has expressed an appreciation for the Boating Ontario Association.
Boating Ontario presented Boating IundstryCanada’s Andy Adams with the W.J. Robertson Award.
Ben Hatherley accepted the 2017 President’s Award on behalf of his father Bruce Hatherley.
Andy Adams, who is managing editor of Canadian Yachting magazine as well as online editor of Boating Industry Canada / News Week, is the first member of the media to receive the honour. Notable was that the presentation itself was made by Andrew Robertson, grandson of W.J. Robertson. W.J. Robertson was well known for his commitment to safe boating, and was the founderof the original Ontario Marine Operators Association, later Boating Ontario. W.J. Robertson was instrumental in establishing many of the Marine Safety Programs, which boaters rely upon to this day. Andrew Robertson, who is Senior Vice President, Skippers’ Plan, Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited, carries on that family commitment.
Thanking Drew Robertson and Boating Ontario, Andy expressed his gratitude for the recognition saying, “Wow – I’m the writer – I chronicle other people’s accomplishments and successes. I never expected to be honoured in this way.”
The PRESIDENT’S AWARD recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution with long-term impact to the boating industry.
Our recipient of the 2017 President’s Award, Bruce Hatherley has been an icon in our industry for many years. What began in 1960 as a little marina in Muskoka quickly evolved into one of the largest marine sales and service locations in the province. The foundation blocks of this incredible business are a testament to the man behind it all. Customer Service has always been # 1 and as long as he is there Customer Service will continue to be # 1.
He is one of the longest standing dealer partners of the Toronto International Boat Show (TIBS) and his multiple display spaces at the front entry are landmarks for many. If you’ve walked the floor at TIBS you know where the lighthouse stands in the main hall. He’s also the first guy to help any competitor on site who needs a couple of tools, a lift or a little extra man power to set up their own display.
As the sole owner of Gordon Bay Marine, Bruce Hatherley’s long-term impact can be felt throughout industry. He’s never been a fan of the limelight and in fact his favourite moments are on the many forklifts at the dealership or working one of his tractors plowing snow. Bruce’s son Ben was honoured to accept the award on his father’s behalf.
CONGRATULATIONS goes out to all 2017 award recipients.
