Gravenhurst resident and outstanding volunteer, Joanne Twist, has been selected as the 2021 Ontario Senior of the Year for Gravenhurst.
“Joanne’s contributions to Gravenhurst have been vast and meaningful over the years and especially significant in the eye of the pandemic. As Chair of Gravenhurst Against Poverty (GAP), she along with many other special individuals have helped support our community during their greatest time of need, helping with the food program through procurement, preparation, distributions, and clean-up,” said Mayor Paul Kelly. “There is a lot of work that goes on behind-the-scenes to have such a successful program like this and we want to show Joanne that we, along with many others, recognize her efforts and greatly appreciate her dedication,” added the Mayor.
Mayor Kelly and Council selected Joanne as this year’s recipient from several community nominations that were submitted throughout the month of April. Amongst the outstanding contributions and qualities of this year’s Senior of the Year Award, Joanne has served Gravenhurst in many ways, including volunteering as a Board Member for the Gravenhurst Public Library and serving as Board Chair from 2015-2018, the current President and active member of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Muskoka, Member of the Muldrew Lake Cottagers Association Board, volunteer at the Muskoka Discovery Centre, active participant with the Gravenhurst Women’s Centre, Gravenhurst Probus, and regularly assists with the Rotary Club Auction.
“Joanne brings people together for the betterment of our community,” said Deborah Chisholm in her nomination form submitted to the Town. “She reaches out to new members of our community and is instrumental in introducing them to activities and groups that will make their experience in our town meaningful and engaging. She is unfailingly inclusive to all. It is through the contributions of people like Joanne that Gravenhurst is perceived as a caring and vibrant community that supports each other in good times and in difficult times,” added Chisholm.
The Ontario Senior of the Year Award gives each municipality in Ontario the opportunity to honour one outstanding local Ontarian who, after the age of 65, has enriched the social, cultural or civic life of his or her community.
