Maureen Lyon Presented with RSCDS Vancouver Branch Award

At the annual "Love to Dance" event on February 21, 2009, White Rock teacher Maureen Lyon was presented with the RSCDS Vancouver Branch Award by Chair, Ed Wagstaff.  The award recognizes Maureen's contribution to Scottish Country Dancing and other Gaelic activities over the last 30 years.  Click on thumbnail for a larger image then click on Back button to return to this page.

Nomination

I'm pleased to nominate Maureen Lyon to receive a Vancouver Branch Award.  One of the guidelines established by RSCDS for the granting of Branch Awards is that "Applicants must have given outstanding service to a Branch or to Scottish Country Dancing generally in the locality of the Branch".  Maureen Lyon has certainly done this.  If it were not for Maureen it is doubtful whether there would be a club in the White Rock area.  Her dedication to bringing Scottish Country Dancing to this community by leading and teaching at the White Rock club has been outstanding and has been continuous over a period of at least thirty years.  She does not seek the limelight but steadily and steadfastly ensures that Scottish Country Dancing is alive and well in White Rock by regularly teaching at the club and by organizing socials, dances and workshops there throughout the year.

In addition to being so involved with the White Rock club, Maureen organized a Scottish Country Dance demonstration group known as the Heather Belles in the early 1980's and this group performed at Expo '86. The Heather Belles was later transformed into the Tam O' Shanter Dancers and this group continues to this day.  It has toured abroad four times and gives performances many times during each year bringing much enjoyment of Scottish Country Dancing to its audiences.  The Tam O'Shanter Dancers organize a Burns Supper each year in White Rock which is usually sold out and is attended by about 300 people.

Although it is peripheral to Scottish Country Dancing, it should be noted that Maureen also contributes to Scottish culture locally by teaching Gaelic, being a member of the Gaelic Choir and also of the Gaelic Society of Vancouver.

Maureen's principal emphasis relative to Scottish Country Dancing has been in the White Rock area although she often attends events organized by the Branch.  She has also been a guest teacher at workshops for other clubs.  The Branch not only has its own activities but also is a central organization for Scottish Country Dancing and Scottish Country Dancing clubs in the Lower Mainland.  The way in which Maureen has established, maintained and strengthened the White Rock club and the Tam O' Shanter Dancers must surely qualify her to be considered for a Branch Award from the Vancouver Branch.

 

2009
Photographs

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