On Wednesday October 9, 2019, Monarch Award recipients were presented with plaques and certificates by Mayor Fred Eisenberg. This is the second year that the awards have been presented at a meeting of Hamilton City Council. This annual recognition by the mayor and councillors not only helps promote awareness of the awards but also brings the idea of gardening for nature into the mainstream. More than simply a new aesthetic, its ecological, social, and economic benefits are becoming better understood and widely accepted.
The seven gardeners on hand to receive their awards were obviously delighted to be publicly recognized for their work. One recipient seized a promotional opportunity at the mayor’s unguarded mic, encouraging all the councillors to get gardening. These gardeners aren’t shy! They’re the vanguard of a new movement that values gardens for what they do, not simply how they look.
Congratulations to all this year’s recipients:
Monarch Level:
Melissa Creasey (Sherman neighbourhood in Hamilton)
Kate Geroux (Albion Falls neighbourhood in Stoney Creek)
James Honey and Alex Stewart (Gibson & Landsdown neighbourhood in Hamilton)
Janet Mackey (Yorkshire Heights neighbourhood in Dundas)
Ann Martin (Downtown Core neighbourhood in Waterdown)
Caterpillar Level:
Michael Albanese
Deborah Boyd
Laurie Brady
Tina Cooper
Lucy Dubeckyj
Lorraine Moss
Kevin Wydysz
Photos by Caroline Zanchetta, Environment Hamilton.
Missing from photos:
Monarch Award recipient: Kate Geroux
Caterpillar Level recipients: Tina Cooper, Lucy Dubeckyj, Lorraine Moss, Kevin Wydysz
Mayor Fred Eisenberger with Monarch Award recipients 
Mayor shakes Ann Martin’s hand 
James Honey shaking hands with mayor Fred Eisenberger 
Mayor shakes Alex Stewart’s hand 
Mayor shakes Melissa Creasey’s hand 
Caterpillar category recipients: Deborah Boyd, Laurie Brady, Michael Albanese. Missing from photo: Tina Cooper Lucy Dubeckyj Lorraine Moss Kevin Wydysz 
Mayor shakes Deborah Boyd’s hand 
Mayor shakes Michael Albanese’ hand 
Mayor shakes Laurie Brady’s hand 
Deborah Boyd has a message for councillors 
Janet Mackey with Monarch Award plaque 
Ann Martin with Monarch Award plaque 
James Honey and Alex Stewart 
Monarch Award gardener Melissa Creasey 
Caterpillar Award gardener Laurie Brady 
Deborah Boyd, award recipient at Caterpillar level 
Michael Albanese, award recipient at Caterpillar level 
Award recipients 2019 missing: Monarch Award: Kate Geroux Caterpillar Level: Tina Cooper, Lucy Dubeckyj, Lorraine Moss, Kevin Wydysz 
Award recipients with volunteers and field judges: Erin Mallon, Charlie Briggs, Jen Baker, Bev Wagar 
Hamilton City Council Chamber, Oct. 9, 2019