Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty presents Speaker Randy Weekes with the King Charles III Coronation Medal on May. 6 at Government House. (Submitted Photo/Randy Weekes)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Weekes Award

Biggar’s Randy Weekes among first to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal

May 9, 2024 | 2:00 PM

A new honour is now being bestowed to Canadians who contribute to their community and a man from Biggar was one of the first to receive it.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal bears the likeness of the King around the edge with the Latin text, “Charles III Dei Gratia Rex.” which translates to “Charles III, by the Grace of God, the King”. Next to that, it reads simply “Canada.”

The first Canadians to bear those medals commemorating King Charles III’s Coronation have been celebrated with Biggar’s Randy Weekes among them.

“It’s a great honour to receive the medal,” he said.

The Saskatchewan House Speaker joined more than 20 others at Government House to be given the newly minted medal for a formal ceremony on the anniversary of the King’s official coronation on May. 6.

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“As speaker but as an MLA or as a citizen it’s important to recognize our Sovereign, our King and it’s part of our constitutional monarchy,” said Weekes. “I’m very proud to be part of that process.

According to the Governor General’s website, over the next ten months, 30,000 medals will be handed out to Canadians who “have made a significant contribution” to either the country or “a particular province, territory, region of, or community in, Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.”

While the ceremony was marked by solemn reverence, Donna Boyle, communications manager with the office of the Lieutenant Governor said it wasn’t without its humour and charm.

Between Lt.-Gov Russ Mirasty breaking protocol when he kissed his wife Donna after he presented her with one of the first medals the spirit was uplifting and jovial.

In the first group of 22 recipients, there were also artists and those who dedicated their lives to protecting the environment – the latter area a particular interest of the Monarch.

“The King, as you probably know, was an environmentalist long before it was cool,” said Boyle.

“It was really nice because they don’t have a chest of medals,” she added when speaking of Conrad Olson, manager of Fish and Wildlife Development Lands in Regina and Dennis Sherratt of The Wildlife Habitat Protection Act and Heritage Marsh Program in Silton.

“They didn’t expect to get a medal.”

Weekes said it was a lovely ceremony and reception that allowed him to meet and talk with other participants.

“It’s not as stuffy as you might expect but no, it was very friendly and open,” he said.

Now that the first ceremony is over, Weekes reflected on the historical nature of the event and spoke of what Mirasty told the crowd.

“First time in 70 years since we’ve had a change of monarchies with the death of Queen Elizabeth II,” the Speaker said. “He kind of laughed, he said something to the effect of ‘Well, I don’t think there’s anybody here that remembers the last time.”

“It’s people from all walks of life and positions in our society,” he added of the thousands of recipients.

“It’s a recognition of their outstanding service to the province and without exception, they’d be quite honoured to receive the medal.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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