For achieving excellence and widespread recognition in their respective fields, the Orillia Hall of Fame is welcoming four new inductees into its honoured hall.
Kenneth “Ken” Woodhouse, Gordon E. “Gord” Smith, Robert “Bob” Bowles, and William “Bill” Swinimer will be inducted into the hall of fame on Oct. 30.
“The committee is honoured to have selected four new inductees into the Orillia Hall of Fame,” Chuck Penny, chair of the city's commemorative awards committee, said in a press release.
“These individuals exemplify what it means to excel in their field, having made significant achievements locally, nationally, and internationally. The community should be proud to recognize this year’s inductees and their remarkable accomplishments," said Penny.
A reception will be held at Orillia City Centre at 12:30 p.m., which will be followed by the induction ceremony at the beginning of the Oct. 30 council meeting, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Orillia Opera House. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Bowles, who has previously been named Orillia's citizen of the year, as well as being named to the Order of Orillia, said it’s an “honour” to be inducted into the hall of fame.
Bowles is an award-winning writer, artist, nature photographer, and naturalist who has dedicated much of his life to nature conservation, as well as educating others. He’s the founder and coordinator of Lakehead University’s Ontario Master Naturalist Certificate Program, among many other contributions.
“I think it’s quite an honour,” he told OrilliaMatters. “It's very gratifying. I didn’t do it for the gratification but I did it because I want the very best city, and I think we could have a wonderful city in Orillia.”
Since retiring from his career at Hydro One in 2000, Bowles has dedicated much of his time to promoting and protecting the environment in and around Orillia.
“I've organized cleanups, and I've done a lot out in Scout Valley,” he said. “I bring groups in from around the world – Colorado, we had this fall, in the spring we had Victoria, BC. We've had people from Japan and Europe come and visit, and I show them the various (natural) features.
“I like to promote Orillia, and I've done a lot in the protection of natural areas, so it's quite an honour for Orillia to recognize some of the work I've done over the years.”
Swinimer is being inducted into the hall of fame for his strong support of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and his efforts in the business community.
He’s served on the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Foundation Board, as well as the hospital’s board, and he and his family have been major donors to the hospital over the years.
His effort in the business community is recognized through the Bill Swinimer Business Leader of the Year award, which is given annually to outstanding business owners and managers. Swinimer has also served as president of the Orillia Kiwanis Club.
Two hall of fame inductees will be given the honour posthumously.
As a commercial artist and cartoonist, Woodhouse’s work appeared in national newspapers and magazines across Canada and the United States. His cartoon series ‘Familiar Faces’ ran in the Orillia Packet & Times newspaper, and he also designed various logos for area businesses.
Smith was a radio broadcaster, businessman, and successful politician who became member of Orillia Town Council, MPP, and deputy speaker in the Ontario Legislature. As an antique car enthusiast, he became the first president of the Historical Automobile Society of Canada, and he was a member of various local organizations such as the Orillia Masonic Lodge and the Champlain Seniors Service Club.
Established in 1964, the Orillia Hall of Fame Award is presented to individuals who have received national or international recognition in their field of excellence. Past Hall of Fame inductees include Gordon Lightfoot, Stephen Leacock, Jeff Hutchings and Rick Ley.
Due to challenges experienced through the COVID-19 pandemic, city council authorized the commemorative awards committee to induct four nominees to the Orillia Hall of Fame for 2023, as opposed to the usual three.
