It was an evening of recognition and celebration of a wonderful art project to commemorate Trial Island Light House, inspired in large part by Monterey Middle School Grade 6 students, their teachers and parents.
A recent application by Oak Bay’s Heritage Foundation, to have the light house designated as a heritage site and preserved in perpetuity through federal legislation, got a boost when the students took on this art project in cooperation with the Foundation, and created a stunning collage of Trial Island Light House.
Last night’s celebration welcomed not only students, teachers and parents but included special guest, the Hon. Pat Carney who, as a federal MP, Cabinet Minister and Senator, championed for twenty years, the need to preserve Canada’s light houses as symbols of this country’s rich and colourful maritime history. Ms. Carney was finally successful when federal legislation was established to protect these sites across the country. So it was equally meaningful for her to participate in this event, pointing out that she believes that Trial Island is the first light house honoured through a student art project.
Others who attended included Chair of the Heritage Foundation and event moderator Bronwyn Taylor, Foundation and Heritage Commission volunteers, former Mayor Chris Causton, Mayor Nils Jensen, new OB arts laureate Barbara Adams and Councillors Copley, Green and Herbert. I hope I didn’t miss anyone.
Hats off to all who made this event possible. I understand that Oak Bay Heritage’s application is working its way through the federal system and when I have an update, I will be happy to share it. In the meantime, the collage has been printed into lovely note cards available for sale in Oak Bay village shops. Please watch for them.