Dr. Geoff Battersby, the former mayor of Revelstoke and a long time community leader, was named a Member of the Order of Canada on the day before Canada Day.
"I’m not quite sure where I stand in all that. It’s a great honour and I’m humbly accepting of it," said Dr. Battersby. "Lots of people have been involved in lots of good things in Revelstoke not just me."
Governor General David Johnson announced the newest appointees to the Order of Canada this morning at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Battersby was cited "for his contributions as a physician, politician and community leader who has encouraged the development of civic, economic and social initiatives in his region."
Dr. Battersby, who served as mayor from 1987 to 1993 and again from 1997 to 1998, is one of the most respected members of the community.
He moved to Revelstoke with his wife Gwynne in 1967 to practice medicine, and slowly emerged as a leader in the community, becoming a champion of both the historic downtown and the forestry sector.
Battersby served as director for Area B Rural Revelstoke from 1978 to 1981 and as a Revelstoke alderman from 1981 to 1983. He was elected mayor in 1987 and served two terms in the post, while also continuing as the director for Area B.
He played a key role in the downtown revitalization project in the 1980s, and helped found the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation in 1993, the province’s first true community forest, and the Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation.
He was also involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Commission, Advisory Planning Commission, Recreation Commission, and Community Futures.
Dr. Battersby retired from medicine in 1998 but continued to stay involved in the community, serving as chair of RCFC and RCEC. In 1997 he was named a Freeman of the City and in 2004 he was one of the first recipients of the B.C. Community Achievement Award.
“Geoff is a very deserving recipient of this award. He has dedicated his career to serving the people of Revelstoke, as a medical professional, in political office and through his extensive community work,” said Mayor Mark McKee in a statement. “Geoff has been a mentor to a number of city councillors over the past three decades, and his contributions to the community have helped to make Revelstoke a better place for all residents.”