WEYBURN – A longtime Weyburn community volunteer, Duane Walkeden, was named the 2024 recipient of the Golden Spike Award by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce, at the President’s Dinner and annual meeting on Wednesday evening at the Weyburn Legion Hall.
He was announced by Ron Irvine of Access Communications, who noted Walkeden has been involved in numerous organizations, including the Young Fellows Club of Weyburn for the past 30 years.
He has served as club president and chair of various committees over the years, and is also a past president and board member for the Weyburn Silver Seals speed swimming club, and is currently a director on the board of the Weyburn Credit Union.
“Volunteering was big where I grew up, starting with 4-H, and everybody was involved in church suppers at community halls in Tribune or in Goodwater,” he said, noting this was what he grew up with, and is surrounded by many great volunteers in the organizations he’s involved with now.
“Volunteering has exposed me to a lot of great people, and I’ve made lots of friends as a result of volunteering. You meet people outside of your work, people from a lot of different walks of life, and it’s taught me a lot of things,” he said.
He noted Scott Paxman talked to him about joining the Young Fellows, which he did in 1996, with Brian Benning also encouraging him to join.
Walkeden said his all-time favourite event for the Young Fellows was being the facilities chair for the centennial concert in Jubilee Park in 2022, and noted there were so many aspects of that event they had to learn about, such as how to estimate how many people could fit into the grassed area of the park where the stages were set up.
He also joked that he learned not to leave a side-by-side running with the keys in it.
In his involvement with the Silver Seals, he was involved with a lot of different tasks related to holding a meet, such as setting up tents, raffle tables and a food concession.
As a member of the Souris River Snowmobile Club, all run by volunteers, there were a lot of really long days that started at 8 a.m. at Maintrack Café, and ended in the evening on a trail north of Stoughton, and having to drive back in the dark.
“It’s all about volunteering, and people you’re with, and I’ve truly enjoyed that,” said Walkeden.
He noted he’s enjoyed volunteering to be on the board of the Weyburn Credit Union, as they annually give back to the community in big ways, including the Spark Centre and the soon-to-be built theatre next door to the Legion.
Walkeden spoke of bringing his daughters along to some of the Young Fellows projects, such as the Christmas tree lot, and at the auction back when bid boards were used, as well as their involvement with the swimming club.
Noting the worthy nominations received for the Golden Spike, Monica Osborn, executive director of the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce, said, “This award celebrates the remarkable individuals who dedicate themselves to building a stronger, more vibrant Weyburn. Each recipient’s contribution leaves an indelible mark on our community, inspiring us all to greater heights of service and dedication.”
She said this year’s recipient “stands as a beacon of commitment and achievement.”
