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Wilbee wins Don McMillan award

Community Futures Sunshine Coast chair Barrie Wilbee, is this year's recipient of the Don McMillan Award. Wilbee received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to community development.

Community Futures Sunshine Coast chair Barrie Wilbee, is this year's recipient of the Don McMillan Award.

Wilbee received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to community development. He was recognized by his peers at the annual Community Futures conference held Sept. 11 to 13 in Dawson Creek.

McMillan established one of the first economic development corporations in Canada in Nanaimo in 1975 and is often credited as the father of the national CED program now known as Community Futures. Community Futures BC Association reviews nominations submitted from the 33 Community Futures organizations in B.C. and chooses one recipient each year.

Wilbee has been with Community Futures Sunshine Coast as a volunteer since the program started locally in 1987 and has been the board chair for the past three years.

"Barrie has been a tireless advocate for economic development on the Sunshine Coast and believes in the need to partner to achieve the greatest results with limited resources," said Sharon Anderchek, general manager of Community Futures Sunshine Coast."

In addition to volunteering with Community Futures Wilbee is currently the alternate Sunshine Coast Regional District director for Area A, and a director for the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation. He has also served on the SC Economic Development Commission, SC Employment Development Society, and the Area Planning Committee for Area A over the past 32 years.

"Barrie believes in staying engaged in the community and being part of the solution rather than the problem," said Anderchek. "He is a worthy recipient of the Don McMillan award and is recognized for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Sunshine Coast community and the Community Futures program."

Community Futures Sunshine Coast also wishes to congratulate Greg Latham, the recipient of our local Community Futures Volunteer of the Year award for 2011.

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