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Will Cameron Be Orkney's Citizen of the Year?

The Orcadian

Thursday 19 Feb 2004

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Big Brother winner Cameron Stout will be up against cannabis campaigner Biz
Ivol in an award ceremony with a difference tomorrow night (Thursday).

The unlikely duo, alongside charity worker John Muir, music teacher Jean
Leonard and ferries operator Andrew Banks, are in the running for the first
ever 'Orkney Citizen of the Year' award, sponsored by Orkney Islands Council,
Orkney Today and Highland Park.

Two awards will be presented in the St Magnus Centre in Kirkwall tomorrow night
(February 19). The 'Citizen of the Year' award, for the person who, in the eyes
of the Orkney people, has been an ambassador for Orkney and the 'Unsung Hero of
Orkney' award, for someone who has shown great dedication and service outwith
the glare of publicity.

The first is determined by votes cast by Orcadians, the second through
nominations from Orcadians, assessed by a panel of judges.

There are 20 nominations for the second award, which will be presented by
Orkney Islands Council Convener Stephen Hagan.

But it is the Citizen of the Year award that should spark the most interest off
Orkney.

Cameron, from Harray, who is hot favourite to lift the trophy said:

"I'm surprised and amazed at being nominated. There are so many people who have
more worthy causes. People in Orkney seem to be as thrilled by my whole year as
I am. This is great."

Cannabis campaigner and MS sufferer Biz Ivol, from South Ronaldsay, is perhaps
the dark horse. Her high profile court case last summer grabbed the national
headlines and made her name synonymous with the Legalise Cannabis campaign.
Shocked at being nominated, Ms Ivol said:

"It is obviously nice of people to have thought of me and put my name forward.
A lot of people know that the government are still not telling the truth when
it comes to the affects of cannabis."

Andrew Banks, founder and managing director of Pentland Ferries, from St
Margaret's Hope, is seen as a hero to many for his entrepreneurial skills in
showing that an Orcadian can run a daily transport service to the Scottish
Mainland against fierce competition.

Retired music teacher Jean Leonard, from Stromness, is well-known in music and
learning circles in Orkney. She founded the Orkney Traditional Music Project,
which encourages young people to learn traditional tunes and instruments like
accordion and fiddle. She said:

"I have such a super life and get so much back from all I do, that this is just
icing on the cake. It is, perhaps, unfair that I get all this extra praise for
something I love doing.

John Muir, from Holm, is well known to most Orcadians for his work with the
Macmillan Cancer Appeal, the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee, and the
local community in Holm. On being nominated, John said:

"I am absolutely gob smacked! I've never given any thought to gaining anything
for what I do. I enjoy doing what I do otherwise I wouldn't do it.

Stephen Hagan, Convener of Orkney Islands Council, who are one of the main
sponsors behind the event, described how hard the job was going to be. He said:

"We are delighted to sponsor this event which highlights the valuable
contribution that so many people make to life in Orkney. It is a difficult task
to pick a winner from such a list of deserving candidates for 'Unsung Hero of
the year'. I believe that they are all winners."

Orkney Today editor John Ross Scott, organiser of the competition, told of his
excitement about the forthcoming awards. He said:

"This has been a really worthwhile project and I was delighted by the response
for nominations for both categories which came from across Orkney. There were
some really heart wrenching stories involved in the 'Unsung Hero' category. I
just wish there were more awards to give out there.

He added: "I'm also pleased that Orkney Islands Council has decided to join
forces with Highland Park and Orkney Today to bolster the credence of the first
'Orkney Citizen of the Year' awards, which will be staged annually.

Highland Park Distillery manager Russell Anderson said:

"We are delighted to be playing a part in this venture. Awarding credit to
Orcadians who make their mark in Orkney and beyond in this way is something
that is long overdue."

 

 

 

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