Member Statement (18 October 2023)

From Hansard (18 October 2023)

 

Lumsden Volunteer Works to Preserve Community History

Mr. B. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honour constituent Bill King and his wife Mary Lou who moved to a small farm overlooking Lumsden in the early 1970s. They became active members of the community from day one. Bill became involved in minor hockey as a coach and coordinator of officials, and after the graduation of their three children from Lumsden High, Bill needed more than his horses to occupy his time and energy. So his passion for history, and in particular the history and prehistory of the Lumsden district, led him to the Lumsden Historical Society. This would soon guide him to a leading role in the Lumsden and District Historical Museum.

For the past 30 years, Bill has been a driving force in the expansion and growth of the Lumsden museum. The museum site has now grown to include seven major display buildings and a truly massive collection of local history. Bill has been president of the museum for the past 20 years. Recently Bill was instrumental in organizing the annual construction of a tipi in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on the museum grounds. In recognition of his tireless work, Bill was awarded the Sask Volunteer Medal earlier this year.

So the next time you are racing past Lumsden on No. 11 Highway, consider taking a step back into our past and stop by the Lumsden museum site and say hello to Bill, a perfect, wonderful example of Saskatchewan volunteerism. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.