10 citizens awarded Saskatchewan Order of Merit

Saskatchewan’s highest honour is being given to the owner of Rawlco Radio and nine other people.

Gordon Rawlinson is receiving the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in recognition of his contributions to the province.

Rawlinson and his family own seven radio stations in western Canada, including six in Saskatchewan. News Talk Radio 980 CJME and 650 CKOM are owned by Rawlco Radio.

He hopes the award reflects the work his family set out to do.

“My father taught me the better you serve the community, the better your business will do and we have had business success and so therefore there is a responsibility, a duty to give back and we have tried to give back in every way that we can.”

Regina artist Wilf Perrault, famous for his back alley pictures, is also among the recipients.

“I never dreamt of being recognized in this way,” he said. “I still try to give myself advice to be pretty dedicated and have a good work ethic.”

The other inductees at a ceremony held in Regina Tuesday night were:

• Retired nurse, author and business owner Jo Anne Bannatyne-Cugnet
• Canada Media Fund president and CEO Valerie Creighton
• Rormer Canpotex  president and CEO Steve Dechka
• Research scientist Keith Downey
• Social worker and child advocate Isabelle Impey
• Treaty Commissioner George Lafond, treaty commissioner of Saskatchewan
• Businessman Eldon McIntyre

There have been 219 appointments of the Order of Merit since its inception in 1985.