Civic service awards and Freedom of the Municipality

Council recognizes community contributions through its annual Civic Service Awards. In cases of citizens making outstanding and lasting contributions to Whistler, Council may also present citizens with the Freedom of the Municipality of Whistler. 

Civic Service Awards

The award recipients are announced and presented with a Civic Service Award during the annual Council recognition event held in early December.

2025 Civic Service Award recipients

Greg Newton has been a driving force behind Whistler Valley Housing Society’s financial success since joining the board in 2021. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Greg guided major initiatives, including securing funding for The Nest, a 30-unit affordable housing project, and ensuring long-term stability for WVHS assets. His expertise, drawn from a 34-year career with RBC, and his dedication as a volunteer with Whistler Search and Rescue, reflect his deep commitment to community. Greg has been relentless in his work making sure the WVHS is a sustainable organization. We thank Greg for his leadership and generous contributions to Whistler’s housing vision. 

Olivia Rey has been a passionate advocate for accessibility in Whistler since 2015. As a member of the Accessibility and Inclusion Committee, she brings invaluable insight in helping identify barriers and improve community spaces. Beyond meetings, Olivia has led accessibility audits, shared feedback on municipal projects, and collaborated with organizations like Destination BC. Her commitment to inclusion extends to empowering others through her social outreach and pursuits as a Certified Holistic Health Coach. Olivia grew up in this town and her contributions to her home town go above and beyond. 

Mike Walsh has been a cornerstone of the Whistler Public Library Board during six transformative years of service. From navigating the challenges of the pandemic to leading through a major leadership transition, Mike’s steady guidance and strategic insight strengthened governance, risk management, and financial planning. Beyond his expertise, Mike is a natural connector and mentor, investing countless hours to support Trustees and staff. His contributions have left a lasting impact on the library and the community. 

Committees

Committees assist Council and provide opportunities for public involvement in municipal matters. Each year, the RMOW engages with a number of community organizations and has more than 100 individuals volunteering on the committees and boards.

Learn more about Committees and Boards.

Eligibility requirements

• Must be an active member of a RMOW Select Committee of Council, Municipal Corporation or Council-Appointed Board,
• Must be a volunteer or unpaid role,
• RMOW employees are not eligible and cannot receive a Civic Service Award,
• Self-nominations are not accepted.

Freedom of the Municipality

The Freedom of the Resort Municipality of Whistler honours citizens for their outstanding contributions to the community, and in practical terms gives the recipient the right to vote in Whistler elections regardless of property ownership or residency in Whistler.

2025 Freedom of the Municipality recipients

Steve Bayly: is a long-time local housing advocate, builder, and community volunteer. He was the founding director of the Whistler Housing Authority. He was a board member of the Whistler Valley Housing Society and the Whistler 2020 Development Corporation, along with many other volunteer commitments.

Cheximiya Allison Burns-Joseph: has been a cultural leader and mentor at the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre since its opening in 2008. She is co-director of culture, has led human resources, and leads the Indigenous Youth Ambassador program. She is an important leader in the recovery of both the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim language and wool weaving. Ambassadors who welcome crowds of 20 at a conference or 8,000 in the plaza have all been educated, encouraged and strengthened by Cheximiya Allison Burns-Joseph.

Doug Forseth: is the former president of Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation and long-time community volunteer. Doug helped orchestrate the 1997 merger of Whistler and Blackcomb, led the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola project, and served as Whistler Blackcomb’s liaison with the Vancouver Organizing Committee during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

John “Bushrat” Hetherington: was a member of Whistler’s first municipal council in 1975 and its last living representative. John has long served the community through Whistler Search and Rescue and as a dedicated board member of the Whistler Museum and Archives Society.

Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal: is the long time curator and co-director of culture at the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre. She has shared the art, culture, and language of the Líl̓wat Nation and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw with courage and generosity. She has helped Whistler residents and visitors better understand both the horrible history of colonization and the great strength of the Nations whose territory we call home. Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal is helping us all understand what it means that Whistler is on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líḻwat7ul territory.

Past recipients

• Sue Adams: for more than 25 years, Sue Adams has been an advocate for arts, women in business and small business in Whistler. She is currently the chair of the RMOW Festival Events and Animation Oversight Committee and sits on the board of directors of the Whistler Chamber, Audain Art Museum and Whistler Arts Council.
• Eric Martin: is the volunteer president and chair of the Whistler 2020 Development Corporation and was instrumental in bringing the vision of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Athletes’ Village, now Cheakamus Crossing, to life. Over the years, he has been involved in many major projects in the resort community contributing significantly to the growth of the municipality.
• Jim Moodie: has been involved in the development of Whistler since the design of the Village 40 years ago and was a key member of the Whistler 2020 Development Corporate board of directors. He played an integral role in bringing the Audain Art Museum to Whistler and currently serves as the vice chair of the Audain Art Museum board of directors.
• Joan Richoz: had a vision for the development of the Whistler Public Library, where she was the first librarian.
• Drew Meredith: former Whistler mayor.
• Jim Godfrey: former RMOW chief administrative officer, who served on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) board of directors and helped secure Whistler’s pivotal role in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
• Garry Watson: one of Whistler’s original council members.
• Al Raine: one of Whistler’s original council members.
• Florence Petersen: founded the Whistler Museum and Archives and has authored several books about Whistler’s past.
• Myrtle Philip: early settler who established the iconic Rainbow Lodge and the Alta Lake School Board.
• Pat Carleton: one of Whistler’s original council members.
• Franz Wilhelmsen: helped to bring the ski industry to Whistler and was the president of the Garibaldi Lifts Ltd. and Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation.
• Trevor Roote: guided the first phase of the Valley Trail and parks construction.
• Chester Johnson: contributed significantly towards the development of Whistler as Whistler Land Corporation Chairman​.
• Nancy Wilhelm-Morden: Wilhelm-Morden has contributed to Whistler for over 50 years through her law practice, volunteerism and as Whistler’s mayor, 2011 to 2018. Prior to that, she served on Council four times. Among her accomplishments, she is credited with helping found the Community Foundation of Whistler, which provides grants to non-profit organizations throughout Sea to Sky. In 2022, she was also presented a YWCA Women of Distinction Award. 
• Hugh Smythe: Smythe worked at Whistler Mountain and eventually became Hill Manager. He subsequently led the group developing Blackcomb Mountain in 1978, opening the new ski area on schedule in 1980. He was one of many involved in helping guide the fledgling Whistler Resort in an uncertain economy. He later joined Intrawest and took part in their expansion to other ski areas, the 1996 union of Whistler and Blackcomb, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games bid and Peak 2 Peak Gondola development.