Since 1994, volunteers have been the heart and soul of the East Coast Trail. To celebrate 30 years, we hosted a very special Awards Night Celebration at the Bauline Community Centre, the conceptual birthplace of the Trail. Volunteerism has always formed the backbone of the East Coast Trail and the Association. Each year, ECTA recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions at an Awards Night Celebration held in a trail community during National Volunteer Week. Six unique awards and Years of Service certificates are presented to outstanding volunteers:
The Punter Award: Ed Delaney
Beginning in 2024, we have added a new award, The Punter Award, recognizing a volunteer or staff member who exemplifies the Association’s mission-centered commitment to our communities as demonstrated by their significant and sustained service to the Association. This award celebrates those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, exemplary leadership, and outstanding contributions to our community.
We recognized Ed Delaney for his remarkable 30 years of service as our Trail Manager and dedicated volunteer. Ed began as a volunteer on our Board of Directors and transitioned to Trail Manager in 1997, marking a pivotal moment for the Association. Over the past 28 years, Ed has transformed the vision of the East Coast Trail into reality, delivering 336 km of developed trail and overseeing its maintenance and enhancement. Ed’s contributions extend beyond his official role. He has freely given his time and expertise, supporting numerous committees and embodying our commitment to community service. His leadership, dedication, and integrity have made a lasting impact on our organization. To honor Ed’s legacy, we presented “The Punter Award,” named after his loyal Newfoundland dog, Punter. This award celebrates Ed’s significant contributions and his unwavering love for the Trail.
The Tuckamore Award: Lorna Yard
The Tuckamore Award is awarded to a supporter, person, group, organization or municipality who has made a difference and helped the association persevere. It was created to honour and remember hiker, volunteer and former board member Wayne Spracklin and highlight his many contributions to the trail, the Association, and to the people of this province. The award was established in 2012 to note major assistance to coastal preservation, development of the trail and protection of the assets entrusted to ECTA.
The Flamber Head Award: Shane Skinner & Angelina Tilley
The Flamber Head Award is given to members of the Association who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism and the Association, for three years or more. Recipients exemplify leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work. They have generally made an outstanding contribution to the Association, and therefore to the community, through their service or actions. The award was established in 2010.
The John Ross Clipper Award: Matt Browne
The John Ross Clipper Award recognizes a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution through trail maintenance over the past year. Dr. John Ross was a long-time member, avid hiker and supporter of the East Coast Trail, who rarely set foot on a hike without his loppers. In his honour and memory we award the Dr. John Ross Clipper Award, given annually to a maintenance volunteer who has shown both great commitment to the activities needed to maintain the East Coast Trail and the leadership demonstrated by John. The award was made possible through the kindness of the Ross family.
The Cape Spear Award: Justin Fong, Quidi Vidi Brewery
The Cape Spear Award recognizes and honours an individual or group who has made an outstanding and long-term contribution that supports the ongoing sustainability of the Association. The Cape Spear Award was created to honour and remember Janet Gardiner and to recognize the positive contribution she made to the Association. Janet was an ardent supporter, an outstanding, respectful and thoughtful business and community leader, and a deeply respected and dear friend of the East Coast Trail Association.
The Motion Head Award: Individual Fundraiser: Evan Simpson, Team Fundraiser: MUN in Motion
The Motion Head Award recognizes and honours the #1 individual fundraiser and the #1 team fundraiser of the Annual Trail Raiser fundraising event for their contributions to the East Coast Trail. The award was established in 2019 to honour and remember hiker and volunteer Gail Sharpe, and highlight her many contributions to the trail, the Association, and the people of this province.
Years of Service
Volunteers have always been the backbone of the East Coast Trail Association. The efforts of these volunteers to the sustainability of the East Coast Trail are highly valued by ECTA Members, the Board, the staff, and your fellow volunteers. Beginning in 2023, we have implemented a Volunteer Years of Service recognition program. These Years of Service certificates will be awarded for every five years of service, beginning after five years of volunteering.
2024 – For our 30-year anniversary, we awarded twelve certificates:
Five Years
Bonita Colbourne (2019)
Alun Davies (2019)
Joan Fitzgerald (2019)
Erin Mercer (2019)
Ten Years
Dana Griffiths (2014)
Margaret Morris (2014)
Fifteen Years
Pat Ryan (2009)
Twenty Years
Greg Bennett (2004)
Geert Van Biesen (2004)
Jantje Vanhouwelingen (2004)
Thirty Years
Pat Dabinett (1994)
Keith Windsor (1994)