GBA 100th Anniversary

(Read more about our 100th anniversary in the Summer issue of UPDATE – Click Here)

On April 2nd, 2016 the Georgian Bay Associations Annual General Meeting was held, followed by a reception which kicked-off it’s 100^th Anniversary celebration year.

The reception was attended by 150 invited guests, including Past GBA Presidents, Board members, representatives of GBA’s Member Associations, elected officials from all three levels of government and colleagues from other non-government organizations.

Guest speakers included Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell and the Honourable Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

The Georgian Bay Association was formed 100 years ago as an umbrella organization for cottage communities along the Georgian Bay coast. The GBA is largely a volunteer driven organization representing 19 water-based communities and approximately 3,000 families. Its Mission Statement reads, “To work with our water-based communities and other stakeholders to ensure the careful stewardship of the greater Georgian Bay environment.”

John McMullen, President of the GBA, concluded his opening remarks by stating, “We think that the raison d’etre for the GBA is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. We are well positioned and structured to continue to deliver meaningful benefit to our members. And with the help of those in this room and many who could not be here, we will continue to do our part to protect the Georgian Bay for generations to come.”

GBA plans to hold other events to celebrate its Anniversary over the year. For more information on these, as well as to see pictures from the April 2 reception, read the upcoming Summer issue of UPDATE or browse our social channels, and be sure to come back throughout the year as event details are finalized we will be sure to post them.

Georgian Bay in Slide Show:

GBA 100th Anniversary slide show

: Guest Speaker Wally King (middle) with Susannah Ketchum (left) and GBA Director Kelly Killoran (right)

: GBA Reception was attended by 150 guests

: Minister Murray speaking with Brenda Drinkwalter (back toward camera). MOECC Senior Policy Advisor, Sarah Rang and Georgian Bay cottager Douglas Wright

: Cognashene Cottagers’ Association President Ian Davis with his father Bill Davis

: L-R) GBA Executive Director Bob Duncanson, Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell and GBA President John McMullen

: Former GBA Presidents and Honourary Life Members Wally King and Hugh McLelland with Bayfield Nares cottager Sheila Williams

: GBA Executive Vice President Rupert Kindersley with fellow Sans Souci cottager, John Honderich

: Township of Georgian Bay Mayor Larry Braid, with his wife Marianne present a plaque of congratulations to John McMullen (far left) and Bob Duncanson (far right)