By Jill Sperling

Prince Albert’s Citizen of the Year surprised by recognition

Dec 31, 2015 | 10:53 AM

Duane Hayunga was in the middle of having coffee with a neighbour on Tuesday when a group of people from the Kinsmen Club and the Prince Albert Daily Herald showed up to inform him he had been selected as Prince Albert Citizen of the year.

Hayunga said he was completely surprised.

“Kind of overwhelmed,” he said, “and really didn’t know what to say at that particular moment.”

Hayunga has been actively involved in the community, even after entering retirement five years ago.

“I was still relatively young,” said Hayunga, “so I thought I had time to continue doing what I enjoy to do, and that’s volunteer and give back to the community.”

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He got involved with Habitat for Humanity and the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club. In 2013 – 2014 Hayunga was president of the Rotary Club.

In 2015 Hayunga was board president of the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club board and the board chair for Habitat for Humanity Prince Albert, his second year as board chair or president with both those organizations.

Hayunga explained he didn’t know that he was doing anything significant.

“Just doing what I thought lots of people do … somedays don’t know whether I did anything any different than anybody else has across the community.”

With Habitat for Humanity, Hayunga does everything from being chair of the board, and setting structure to volunteering and working side by side with the families.

“You get a feeling of accomplishment,” he said. “You feel good after you’ve given some of your time there.”

Hayunga found out on Tuesday that he was nominated by two Rotary Club members, Brian Martin and Harvey Agnew.

He said he felt very grateful that they felt he was worth the nomination and he plans to thank them in person.

A date for the formal presentation of the award has not yet been set.

jsperling@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jnsperling