Mayor Bill’s years of service recognized by Volunteer Manitoba
Norrie wins prestigious award at annual awards ceremony
By Jolie Toews Aug. 28, 2008 |
When Bill Norrie and a group of his friends discovered neglected grass and broken headstones in Elmwood Cemetery, they wanted to restore the former beauty of one of the city’s oldest resting places.
In 1999, Norrie and others formed the Friends of Elmwood Cemetery and took over the facility. Nine years later, Norrie still helps the not-for-profit group through his role as a director.
On April 30, the former Winnipeg mayor was recognized for his volunteer efforts with the Friends — and many other groups over the years — with an award for outstanding community leadership at the 25th annual Volunteer Manitoba awards.
“He’s just done countless things. He’s a very modest individual. When you talk to Bill, you don’t get an ‘I did this,’ but a ‘We did this’ statement,” said Dennis Dyck, Volunteer Manitoba executive director, who nominated Norrie.
“It just made sense for him to receive the award.”
Norrie says he first became involved in volunteer work back in his university days, when he was elected president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union.
“One kind of thing led to another,” Norrie said. “The deeper you get into it, the hold gets greater.”
After school, Norrie spent years working in the public sector as a school trustee and mayor of Winnipeg from 1979 to 1992.
Even in his retirement, Norrie still lends his time to many organizations.
His interest in Elmwood Cemetery stems from the fact his parents, other family members and friends are buried at the 106-year-old cemetery. So he takes his role with the Friends quite seriously.
“The cemetery was falling into quite a disarray. We thought, ‘This is a terrible shame and we shouldn’t be letting this happen,’” Norrie said.
The group has restored headstones and planted trees over the years.
Neil Payne, also a director of the Friends, has known Norrie for about 25 years.
“Wherever there’s volunteering, you see Mr. Norrie,” he said. “I think one of his problems is that he can’t say no. He’s such a giver.”
