Posted by Scott Paterson on 2009/11/19

Category: News

It was an emotional night for Wilson Paterson when he learned he was the recipient of the 2009 Peter Perry Award, Whitby's most prestigious designation.  Since 1955 the Whitby Chamber of Commerce has presented the Peter Perry Award to honour Whitby's Outstanding Citizen of the year and to recognize  their commitment to the community. 

What makes the award very unique is that no one in the room knows who the winner is.  A bio is read by the speaker and everyone in the room including the  Mayor of Whitby, The Honourable Pat Perkins is looking around trying to determine who the mystery individual is.  When Wilson realized that he was the recipient he was emotionally shocked and lost for words.  However, by the time Wilson made his way to the podium it was easy for him to speak and in his own words, "It is not hard to say a few words when you actually live and breathe what you're trying to do."  Wilson has been an exemplary individual within the community, always strving to do his best and always willing to help out whenever possible.

Below is the bio which was read to the audience:

"This Year's Peter Perry has had a lifelong passion for hard work, dedication and for helping youth succeed.

In the beginning, it was through his efforts as a teacher.  It soon changed as a passion for teaching made room for a passion to helping youth to succeed through sports.  The two have had a long marriage and are intertwined through our Peter Perry's Career.

Our Peter Perry does not seek to be rewarded for his efforts - but rather goes about his involvment with dedication and in a quiet, humble way.  He has been doing it that way for years.

He knows that building confidence and success in our youth can have a life altering affect.  Our Peter Perry's efforts have been an investment in the future.  Along the way he has brought national and international attention to the community that he loves.

His involvement with local high schools and his creation of the LOSSA Championship have been an ongoing source of pleasure for him as he watched a new generation of students hone thier skills.  This program has been running succesfully for over 20 years.

He is also a long time supporter of many community and charitable organizations including the Oshawa Gerneral Hospital, The Community Foundation of Durham, The Durham Humane Society, The Ontario March of Dimes and the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame.

While building an extremely successful business in our community; his love of teaching was never far away.  Our Peter Perry has taken on the challenge to preserve and conserve a wetland habitat in our community, working in partnerhsip with CLOCA's Clean Water Land Stewardship Program, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

The 10 acre wetland project creates marshland habitat and a sustainable environment for hundreds of species of plants and animals.  Youth education is to be a large component of the project and the wetlands will provide high quality programming and outdoor experiences throughout Durham Region.

His work on this project and his efforts to raise additional funds of over $50,000 will go towards future wetland stewardship projects and wetland education programs in the community.

From the beginning of his business career - our Peter Perry has had a personal mandate to promote the game of golf to juniors.  He developed and opened Whitby's first 18 hole golf course.  He has supported youth, sponsored the game, sponsored talented golfers to help them realize their goals and regularly donated his facility to students and golf programs.

His hard work and determination to buld a world class golf course has helped put Whitby on the map and brought national acclaim to our community.  His tireless commitment to youth and now to wetland protection and ongoing educational opportunities for students has earned him the the honour of being chosen to be our Peter Perry this year.  His efforts, his successes and his vision for the future will now be a permanent part of our community's history.

Ladies and gentlemen - please join me in congratulating our 2009 Peter Perry..... Mr. Wilson Paterson"

To learn more about the Whitby Chamber of Commerce and the Peter Perry Award please click here Whitby Chamber of Commerce.

For more news on the event click newsdurhamregion.com.