The Cochrane Community Awards were celebrated yesterday afternoon (November 28) at the RancheHouse.

The event featured several awards being handed out to spotlight outstanding work by individuals, groups, and businesses throughout Cochrane.

There were 13 different awards (and 14 winners due to the first-ever tie) that were recognized including business and citizen of the year. The most prestigious of which is the Order of Cochrane, which was awarded to JoAnn Churchill.

Churchill was honoured by the award.

“I’m feeling overwhelmed really. Really surprised, so privileged to be involved in so many things in the community” 

Churchill has a long history of working and volunteering with many Cochrane organizations. From serving the community as Town Councilor, working with the Cochrane Partnership for Economic Development, the board of the Cochrane United Way, and volunteering for 15 years on the Cochrane Foundation Board. She was also involved in the successful ‘Hooves of History’ fundraiser for the Western Heritage Museum.

JoAnn2021 Order of Cochrane winner JoAnn Churchill

“To be involved trying to make a difference in Cochrane and I think with the teams I had is just amazing. I always said they were they get ‘er done folks and just did it. There was no such word as ‘no’ or ‘can’t’ in our vocabulary and everyone worked so hard to navigate this.”

“This is for everybody I’ve worked with, I certainly will accept on their behalf. But this is for everybody I've worked with.” 

The award is presented to an individual who, by their commitment, vision, and leadership, has created a lasting legacy in the development of our community.

Congratulations to this year's winners and nominees.

The 2021 award recipients are:

Order of Cochrane:

 

JoAnn Churchill

(Category Sponsor:  Cochrane Mayor and Council) 

 

Ambassador of the Year: 

 

Jo-Anne Oucharek

(Category Sponsor: Cochrane Tourism Association) 

 

Business of the Year:

 

Mehtab East Indian Cuisine 

(Category Sponsor: Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce) 

 

Citizen of the Year: 

 

Scott Lloyd 

(Category Sponsor: Cochrane Home Treasures) 

 

Community Builder:

 

Cochrane and Area Events Society 

(Category Sponsor: Debbie Leah & Associates - Royal LePage) 

 

Education Initiative of the Year: 

 

École Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School 

(Category Sponsor: Bow Valley College) 

 

Employer of the Year: 

 

Cochrane Home Treasures 

(Category Sponsor: Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce)

 

Equity and Inclusion Champion of the Year: TIE

 

Paul Singh 

and 

Ozzie Sawicki

(Category Sponsor: Town of Cochrane, Equity and Inclusion Committee)

 

Newsmaker of the Year: 

 

Grand Opening – Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge 

(Category Sponsor: Cochrane Times) 

 

Pathfinder of the Year:

 

Corinne Burns

(Category Sponsor: Sustainability Partners Uniting Resources - SPUR) 

 

Senior of the Year: 

 

Diane Hunter 

(Category Sponsor: TWO Pharmacy) 

 

Volunteer Group of the Year:

 

Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area

(Category Sponsor: Cochrane Family & Community Support Services 

 

Youth of the Year: 

 

Jade Janzen

(Category Sponsor: Boys & Girls Club of Cochrane and Area) .

 

The 2021 Nominees are: Ali Hardock; Big Hill Lodge; Carol Sheldon; Cayley Breeze; Cochrane and Area Events Society; Cochrane Home Treasures; Cochrane Toyota; Corinne Burns; Dan Kroffat; Diane Hunter; École Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School; Found Books & Shop; Fiona Gilbert; Fireside Pharmacy; Gresal Tapulao; Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area; Jackie Shier; Jade Janzen; Jim Rooney; JoAnn Churchill; Jo-Anne Oucharek; Lannie Rae Gourmet; Les Petites Abeilles Preschool; Marni Richelle McConnach; Mehtab East Indian Cuisine; New Radiance Medi Spa Ltd.; Ozzie Sawicki; Paul Singh; Route 22 Artist Collective Ltd.; Sandra Robin; Scott Lloyd; Seniors For Kids Society; The Crossing at Ghost River; The Strand Hair Salon; The Town of Cochrane; West Valley Chiropractic Centre; Young Professional Rotary Club of Cochrane; Zeta Hickey