The 2012 recipients of the Order of Prince Edward Island were announced today by the Chancellor of the Order, His Honour the Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island and Mr. Maitland MacIsaac, Chair of the Order of Prince Edward Island Advisory Council.

The three Islanders selected to receive the honour are:

• Emily Bryant, Clyde River

• Sibyl Cutcliffe, Charlottetown, and

• Dr. Albert “Bud” Ings, of Montague

These three individuals were selected from a total of 66 Islanders nominated to receive the award this year.

The honour was first conferred in 1996 with six individuals invested at that time; since then there have been three Islanders invested each year. The 2011 inductees into the Order were; William C. Callbeck, Central Bedeque, Eleanor Davies, Stratford, and, Dr. David Wong of Summerside.

The honour is awarded as a means of recognizing those Islanders who have shown individual excellence or outstanding leadership in their community and in their chosen occupation or profession. It is the highest honour that can be accorded to a citizen of the Province. It is awarded annually following a public nomination process with not more than three recipients being selected by an independent nine-person Advisory Council each year. Insignia of the Order will be presented by the Lieutenant Governor at a special investiture ceremony in September at Government House, Charlottetown.

BACKGROUNDER

Emily Bryant

There are people – neighbours, acquaintances and friends – who enrich our lives and that of the larger community. Then there are those special few who merit recognition for their contributions to the fabric of the town or city we share. Among that select group is Emily Bryant. A worthy recipient of the Order of Prince Edward Island, Bryant is known for her long-time work in the areas of mental health and nursing, as well as her commitment to the community of Clyde River. Whether it’s teaching nursing assistants and working on improving addiction strategies, reclaiming a woodlot so that it becomes a lively green space enjoyed by children and adults, or establishing the heritage of her home town through the publication of The History and Stories of Clyde River, Bryant lives up to her motto: “Make a difference for others.” A poet once wrote: “God made the country, and man made the town.” In the case of Emily Bryant, her contribution to the social and cultural life of the Island has helped in the development of her beloved part of PEI and added, in small and large ways, to the health and well-being of the Province.

Sibyl Cutcliffe

It’s likely that most of us have helped someone out, or pitched in with an organization, at various times in our lives. Few, though, can say that we have forty solid years of volunteerism behind us, yet that is what Sibyl Cutcliffe, recipient of the Order of Prince Edward Island, has given to the province. Her fundraising abilities are known to be prodigious, as are her vitality, enthusiasm and perseverance for causes she believes in. “A different world cannot be built by indifferent people,” Nelson Mandela said, and for the decades devoted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the United Church, and the Gold Cup Parade Committee, to name only a handful of organizations, Cutcliffe has been committed to bettering conditions on the Island. Her service as a volunteer and as a member of Charlottetown City Council has led to her being awarded the Aliant Long Term Dedication Award, the Mentor Award from the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty, and the Mayor’s Award. A common phrase associated with Cutcliffe is: She’s always there when she’s needed. The Order of Prince Edward Island therefore acknowledges Sibyl Cutcliffe’s exceptional efforts in the fields of volunteerism and public service.

Bud Ings

Veterinarian, politician, writer, musician: any one of these occupations or vocations would fill the days for most people. However, the life of Dr. Albert “Bud” Ings has encompassed the public domain, the well-being of animals and the arts, and he has received tributes such as the Eugene Whelan Award from the Atlantic Veterinarian College, the Charlottetown Rotary Club Mentor Award, and the PEI Heritage Award. In addition to his time as a Member of the Legislative Assembly he also was head of two ministries, and later sat on the Montague Town Council. The Legion, Rotary, Junior Chamber of Commerce and the PEI Humane Society each claim him as one of their own, and the Fiddlers Society of PEI presented him with a lifetime membership. It’s likely he feels honoured to be so appreciated. Ings’ books on his life as a veterinarian have been well received by the public, and combine what may be two of his longest loves: work on behalf of animals, and performing. In light of these many services, and as a sign of appreciation for the example he has set, “Bud” Ings is a deserving recipient of the Order of Prince Edward Island.