When Gloria Kongsrud took a call from Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield’s office asking her to attend a town hall meeting in Hinton last weekend, she didn’t know what to expect.

There was a pleasant surprise awaiting her, as Merrifield presented Kongsrud with an Alberta Centennial Medal, presented to people who have made significant contributions to their fellow citizens and their communities.

Kongsrud was nominated for the Centennial Medal by Mayor Richard Ireland. There were as many as 8,000 medals available across the province to recognize people nominated by town councils and provincial organizations. Merrifield presented a total of 20 medals throughout the Yellowhead riding, he said.

Kongsrud, clearly touched by the occasion, spoke to the Hinton residents gathered for the meeting.

“I am speechless,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect today.”

Introduced by Merrifield as a “tireless advocate for the community,” Kongsrud herself took a moment to recognize the people in Jasper who give time and effort to the community.

“There are many, many people in Jasper who are worthy of this,” she said.

Kongsrud has been involved in public service since 1976, when she was elected to the  school board. In the 29 years since then, she has continued to sit on a range of community boards and councils, including the town committee. When Jasper was incorporated as a municipality in 2001, she was elected to town council and re-elected in 2004 with more than 900 votes cast in her favour.

“I think it’s important,” Kongsrud said simply when asked why she has devoted so many years to the community. “I still feel that way. If you want something for your town then you should sit at the table and voice your opinions.”

Another veteran councillor is glad that Kongsrud has been around to voice those opinions.

“It’s a well deserved award, there’s no question in my mind,” said Andy Walker. Describing Kongsrud’s approach to municipal government as “very down to earth and practical,” Walker credits his colleague with keeping her fellow councillors on task and cognizant of the fact that they serve everyone in Jasper.

“She grounds us, and she looks at things very practically,” Walker said. “Everything is geared to what’s good for the community as a whole.”

Kongsrud does many things for Jasper beyond her duties on council, he said, citing the work being done to build an assisted living facility in the community.

“That’s just typical Gloria,” said Walker. “Any time something needs to be done, you can count on her.”

With another municipal election set for 2007, Kongsrud says that this will be her last term on council. She will continue to be involved with the assisted living project until its completion, however. 

“It’s something that I really want to see through to the end,” she said, adding that if all goes well, sod could be turned to begin the project sometime next year.

By then, it will be thirty years of community service for Kongsrud. Many in Jasper would no doubt say that they were three decades well spent.

Another Jasperite who received the provincial honour is just beginning a lifetime of service to his community. Kyle Darroch, who graduated from Jasper Senior High three years ago, was also awarded the Centennial Medal. 

Darroch is currently in his second year of business studies at Camosun College in Victoria, BC.

This is hardly the first time Darroch has been recognized for his efforts as a volunteer.

He was awarded the prestigious TD Canada Trust Scholarship for Community Leadership, a $50,000 award presented to only twenty students across the country. After taking one year off after completing high school to travel, Darroch was further honoured when he received a provinical award from the Canadian Millennium Scholarships Foundation. This prize is worth $4,000 per year.