Four key volunteers working with the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador are being recognized for outstanding service to those with autism, and their families and caregivers, throughout the province.

His Honour, Lieutenant-Governor Frank Fagan, will present Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals to Elaine Dobbin, Barbara Hopkins, Tom Jackman and David Vardy during a ceremony at Government House on July 2, 2013.

As Campaign Patron for the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital campaign, Ms. Elaine Dobbin was the driving force behind the raising of nearly $2 million and the construction of Shamrock Farm and the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism in 2006.

Ms. Barbara Hopkins is a Charter Member of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. She played a leadership role in forming the organization in 1984. She was a Board member from 1984 through 1997, and served as the Board Chair for the last four years, from 1993 through 1997.

Mr. Tom Jackman is an adult with High Functioning Autism – or Asperger’s. He is a member of the National Advisory Committee for Adults on the Spectrum at Autism Society Canada. In addition, he holds the Self-Advocate seat on the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Tom is an advocate for acceptance of people on the spectrum in the workplace. To that end, he has been invited to speak and present at many national conferences.

Mr. David Vardy has been active with the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador for many years. He served on its Board of Directors for 15 years, from 1996 through 2011. David was also a member of the Board of Directors of Autism Society Canada, a national body, and served as its Vice President. More recently, David co-chaired the Autism Working Group with Eastern Health to review services for people with autism.

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Please see the article here.

For more information about the award and Bev receiving the award, see here.