Mineral Exploration

John Murray Don Bragg Sheila Stenzel Fall 20 1 8 11 PHOTOS: BARRY PRICE; COURTESY JOHN MURRAY; SHEILA STENZEL A Volunteer's Gift Frank Woodside Past Presidents and Chairs Award winner Christine Ogryzlo checks in with a few of her Woodside alumni to reflect on the personal rewards that come from being an AME volunteer By CHRISTINE OGRYZLO F rom prospecting to committees to education to government, the volunteers who build British Columbia's mineral exploration industry represent every part of the community. Each year, AME recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions of these volunteers through several awards. The Frank Woodside Past Presidents and Chairs Award recognizes distinguished service to AME and/or contribution to the mineral industry. John Murray won the award in 2007. I served with John on the AME board, the Communication and Marketing Committee, and the Editorial Board for this magazine. John's idea for framing the industry's message to the public is consistent: Keep it simple. Never miss an opportunity to speak out. He did that on the AME board from 1999 to 2017 (with a one-year break in 2006-07) and on at least half a dozen committees for many years. Outside the industry, he was past president of the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce and served seven years as a director with the BC Chamber of Commerce, bringing the concerns of the mineral exploration and mining sector to the table. Don Bragg was an early winner in 2002. Don is a self-employed prospector and a profile in this magazine in 2012 captured him perfectly. "I want to bring some solutions to the problems facing the industry," Don said. I have come to know Don through committees over the years and on the AME board. What strikes me in an age of loud, uninformed and often rude opinions is that Don is a man who never fears speaking out but always in a measured, respectful manner. Sheila Stenzel won the Woodside award in 2017 for filling a gap that Don Bragg and John Murray often identified – teaching the school kids what exploration and mining are all about. In 2017, Sheila and Maureen Lipkewich were acknowledged for the Mineral Resources Education Program BC – now called Minerals Ed. "It is always wonderful to learn from teachers how much our programs support them or their students – whether at a workshop, a Roundup program or a field trip," Sheila says. "One of the neatest experiences: an elementary student from a Richmond school who was in our inaugural 2004 Roundup Rockhound class (Grade 4) went on to UBC Mining Engineering, came back to Roundup in 2016 as a Roundup Rockhound volunteer as a Rockhound Guide."

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