The Gerry Holmes Memorial Award is an annual award presented to a Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Day Volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to this event.
This year’s recipient is Debbie King, accompanied in the carriage this evening by her husband, Doug .
Debbie’s involvement in this weekend has covered many diverse areas.
When her three sons, Joe, Scott and Charlie were turning high school age and the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association was in it’s infancy, Debbie felt that a High School Rodeo should be part of this weekend, so along with friend and neighbor, Judy Brown, the leg work was done to get the program off the ground here in Virden. For the next eight years or so Debbie concentrated her organizational skills on developing the High School Rodeo program here in Virden. It was under her guidance that High School Rodeo Scholarships were introduced for students from Virden and surrounding area.
Her next endeavor associated with the Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze was one which would make one wonder how she became involved. Mother to three boys- that’s right, no daughters, Debbie began the first Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze Queen contest. Without a doubt her three sons were well qualified to give her lots of advice when it came to evaluating cow girls. At one point she had her boys assists with the crowning ceremony, however this proved not to be one of their better days.
Debbie became known as the Queen Mother as for the next five years, she, along with friend Jocelyn Hagan organized the Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze Queen contest, giving many young girls the opportunity for personal development by competing in this contest.
About eight years ago came another change in direction with regard to Debbie’s involvement with this weekend. She became the convener of the VIP meal served opening night to sponsors of the rodeo.
In her early years in this role it was an event for some 250 or so people. As the rodeo grew in stature, along with tremendous sponsor support, this has become a gala affair filling the Sunrise Credit Union Banquet hall to capacity. They serve a prime rib roast beef dinner with all the trimmings prepared over three intense days by a legion of volunteers. And year after year it goes off as seamless as possible, in no small part due to Debbie’s organizational talents backed by her culinary skills.
All in all Debbie has played a strong role in nurturing various events during this weekend.
Congratulations Debbie on receiving the Gerry Holmes Memorial Award. The commemorative belt buckle is presented by Gerry’s daughter, Kim Brown, accompanied by Kim’s husband Orville.
Thank you to Faye Horn, owner of the Flower Attic and Gifts for providing Debbie and Doug’s corsage and boutonniere. Also thank you to Darryl Horn – Bel Clyde Farms, for providing the team and carriage for the presentation tonight.
| 2023 AWARD | Joan Brown |
|---|---|
| 2022 AWARD | Kristine Dryden |
| 2019 AWARD | LYLE BROWN |
| 2018 AWARD | ED SPRAGGS |
| 2017 AWARD | LINDSAY WHITE |
| 2016 AWARD | HERB WARKENTIN |
| 2015 AWARD | DEBBIE KING |
| 2014 AWARD | JOCELYN HAGAN |
| 2013 AWARD | KELLY LYNG |
| 2012 AWARD | SCOTT BICCUM |
| 2011 AWARD | STEVE DRYDEN |
| 2010 AWARD | DR. EVERETT MORE |
| 2009 AWARD | DUNCAN CAMPBELL |
| 2008 AWARD | MONA KENDERDINE |