YORKTON – Larry Hilworth has become the latest individual to be honoured by the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce with an honourary life membership.
Hilworth said his initial reaction to being told of the decision was a little mixed.
“When Juanita (Chamber executive director Polegi) first called me on the award I thought ‘they give that to old guys,” he told Yorkton This Week at the presentation held at Tapps Sports Lounge & Grill.
Then Hilworth said his wife said “. . . you are an old guy.”
That changed the perspective, he added with a smile.
“I’m honoured to be presented with a Chamber lifetime award,” he said, adding he sees the recognition as one reflecting on his efforts through the years. “It means doing things for the community.”
In that regard Hilworth has indeed been active.
The citation read last Tuesday noted Hilworth was a Director and the 1998 President of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce; he has been the Co-Chair of the Farming for Health Project; Director of the Yorkton Exhibition Association; City of Yorkton Economic Development Committee; Yorkton Sno Riders; Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society; and Prairie Pulling League, to name a few.
Hilworth, who worked with the Royal Bank of Canada for more than 25 years, said much of his involvement came about because the bank “encouraged us (staff) to be involved in the community.”
While Hilworth was more than willing to take on roles and projects, he was also quick to state he did not do anything in isolation.
“You don’t do it single-handedly. . . You do it with other people. . . It’s not just me. It’s a whole ton of people,” he said.
According to the Chamber’s Constitution, Honourary Life Member Awards are presented to “those persons who have distinguished themselves by meritorious or public service. Life Membership shall include all the privileges of active membership, except that of holding office, with the exception from paying dues. Such Life Membership shall be granted to the individual and not the company.”
