Left to right: Hoy Creek hatchery manager, Rodney Lee; recipient Earl Elliott and his wife Lilian Elliott, Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director.
On Oct. 20 during the Salmon Come Home event, Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, Rodney Lee awarded the inaugural Hatchery Manager’s Award created to recognize the unparalleled contribution of an individual to the Hoy Creek hatchery.
The distinct honour went to Earl Elliott who has been a Society volunteer since 2006 as well as a past Society Vice President.
Earl working at the Hoy Creek Hatchery in earlier days.
In presenting the award, Rodney Lee said, “Earl has been a valued contributor to the operation of the hatchery. Most importantly, whenever I have needed help with the hatchery, Earl has been there to offer his assistance.”
This has included:
Routine feeding and maintenance duties
Bucketing coho smolts in prep for public release at our Salmon Leave Home festival
Support during our fin clipping sessions
Sandbagging work to reinforce our lower pond
Support during annual pond cleanouts
Hatchery Manager Award recipient Earl Elliott (holding his certificate) surrounded by some of the HSWS volunteers at Salmon Come Home.
In addition, Earl has helped with staffing and mentorship for other Society activities such as:
Manning our display table at public events
Manning the wheelbarrow during our first series of stream clean-ups and
Helping with the various weed pulls where we’ve worked with student groups.
“As you can see, it’s not typically the most glamourous work, however, it’s all work that needs to be done to the benefit of the hatchery and our watershed.
Lastly, but most important to me, his involvement kept me going during a critical juncture in the survival of the Society. This has enabled our Society to continue to raise salmon, engage the public and advocate for the Hoy/Scott Watershed.”
Left to right: Rodney Lee, Hoy Creek hatchery manager and HSWS Vice President; Chief Ed Hall, Kwikwetlem First Nation; Lilian Elliott, Director, HSWS; and recipient of the Hatchery Manager’s Award, Earl Elliott. Photo taken during Salmon Come Home on Oct. 20.