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Buddy McKenzie receives 2011 Pioneer Logger of the Year award

Buddy McKenzie was awarded the 2011 B.C. Interior Forestry Museum’s 2011 Pioneer Logger of the Year at a July 9 ceremony at Revelstoke Timber Day.
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B.C. Interior Forestry Museum Chairperson Brian Sumner (right) presents Buddy McKenzie with the museum’s 2011 Pioneer Logger of the Year award at a July 9 ceremony at Revelstoke Timber Days.

Buddy McKenzie was awarded the 2011 B.C. Interior Forestry Museum’s 2011 Pioneer Logger of the Year at a July 9 ceremony at Revelstoke Timber Day.

Museum chairperson Brian Sumner recognized McKenzie for his over 40 years of involvement in the local logging industry. “Being a pioneer of any kind is not so much about age,” Sumner said. “Being a pioneer is about leading the way. When others talk about doing something, pioneers actually go out and do it. Pioneering is about never giving up.”

Sumner noted Mackenzie started in the bush at 13 years old, was an accomplished CAT operator by 16 and was driving logging trucks when he was 18. In 1970 he started his company McKenzie S Contracting Ltd. with his father when they bought three used logging trucks. He eventually built the company up to 35 employees and 25 pieces of equipment, including 13 logging trucks. “He tells me he never really had more than eleven of them on the road at the same time,” joked Sumner with the Timber Day crowd on hand for the announcement. “Buddy’s done it all, day in and day out for years and years and years.”