Hatchery manager, Rodney Lee presents Len Meneghello with a certificate of appreciation for his service to the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society. (Photo: Robbin Whachell / HSWS)
This year's Salmon Leave Home was the perfect opportunity to invite long-serving member, Len Meneghello, who recently hung up his hip-waders to come out and enjoy the day with former colleagues on May 1st at the Hoy Creek Hatchery.
After the event was officially open with words and a ceremonial salmon release by members of Kwikwetlem First Nation, society members surprised Len with a special tribute and presentation which took place by the concrete salmon adjacent to the creek.
Society director, Robbin Whachell read a tribute written by long-standing member and salmon educator Chris Hamming; and hatchery manager, Rodney Lee presented Len with a certificate of appreciation. HSWS member, Lilian Elliott presented a metal salmon gift from the society. It was perfect that Len's wife Donna and his two children, Martin and Tricia Lynn were also present.
The society takes this opportunity to wish Len the best on his retirement!
Honouring Len! From left to right: Ed Hall, Earl Elliott, Beverley Mrockowski, Lilian Elliott, Donna Meneghello, Tricia Lynn Meneghello, Len Meneghello, Martin Meneghello, and Rodney Lee.
A tribute for Len, written by Chris Hamming:
Len has been a community volunteer for many years. After having been a volunteer driver for elderly patients, Len joined the Hoy/Scott Creek Watershed Society. Len was gung-ho, participating in all the activities of the group.
Weekly, without fail, he would be feeding the fry and cleaning in and around the pond. You could count on Len when there was trail work to be done. Removing invasive species and replanting with native species was no problem for Len. With great enthusiasm, he helped with the major public events Salmon Leave Home in the spring and Salmon Come Home in the fall. Early in the morning of the day of the event, he would cheerfully set up the event signs in the neighbourhood and take them down again at the end of the day-no sweat. He would supply the volunteers with cream/sugar/coffee.
If things were broken, Len would be the first to try to fix it. As a no-nonsense guy, his manner was straight forward and to the point.
There is a great legacy at the creek, close to the hatchery building, that has Len’s stamp on it - the Salmon Statue. It took a great deal of planning, maneuvering, leveling and adjusting skill to get the mold to be set up just so. Len's practical knowledge and directing was of great help. There was only one thing that Len did not like, that was attending meetings. Len is a man of action. Len, you are going to be missed!
See more photos of our Salmon Leave Home event.
Left to right: Ed Hall, Councillor, Kwikwetlem First Nation; Len Meneghello, honoured reitiree of HSWS; and Beverley Mrockowski, Elder, Kwikwetlem First Nation (Photo: Robbin Whachell / HSWS)
