Long time volunteer named Melfort’s Citizen of the Year

Melfort's citizen of the year for 2010 is no stranger to the city.

Walter Dupin, 84, has spent countless hours volunteering. He was president of the Melfort Co-op for nearly 30 years.

He has also been quite active in health care in the region. He was chair of the Kinistino Hospital board and part of the regional health council, which was centered in Prince Albert.

“Well I was so shocked that I had the tears coming to my eyes,” said Dupin when describing what it was like when he learned he had won.

Dupin, who is also a farmer, said it can be quite difficult at times balancing all of his interests.

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“If I'm sitting on the combine or perhaps on a tractor seeding and am called, and this usually happens in health care matters, some issue that has to be dealt with and you have to crawl off the tractor. Not many people would do that. But I have done that on more than one occasion,” said Dupin.

Dupin who turns 85 years old next month, still plans to stay busy.

“I think I'm too old to start taking on new projects, but there always seems to be something new coming up. We are looking to extend the runway at the airport in Melfort. We will also be working on getting the approaches started there.”

Dupin will be formally honoured Apr. 16 during the Mel-Bex awards gala at the Kerry Vickar center.
Here are the finalists:

Business of the year – 10 employees and under: Ultrasound Clinic Melfort, Wright's Greenhouse and Scotiabank

Business of the year – 11 employees and over: Canadian Tire, TJs Pizza and Tenco Management Limited

Entrepreneur of the year: David Waldner, Tyson Waldner, Stars and Stripes Heavy Equipment Training, Donna Kurek, Ultratech Business Solutions,Jason Gratton, Northeast Source for Sports

Community Involvement Award – Non Profit organization: Melfort Amateur Dramatics, Melfort Mustangs, Melfort Kinsmen & Kinettes

Community Involvement Award – Corporate: TJs Pizza, Advantage Credit Union and Melody Motors
Customer Service Award: George Home Hardware, Fouillard Carpet Sales and Orr's Appliances & Mattress World

Property Appearance Award: Escape Food and Bottle, Catz n Jammers for Kids and Prairie North Co – Op

Tickets for the gala can still be purchased at the Scotiabank in Melfort.

nmaxwell@panow.com