The Gerry Holmes Memorial Award is presented each year to a volunteer who has made a noteworthy contribution to the Virden Indoor Rodeo & Wild West Daze. This award honours the memory of Gerry Holmes, whose involvement in the event was exceptional and long-standing.
In 2007, the inaugural year, the award was presented posthumously to Gerry.
Gerry joined the organization in 1995, and for six of her eleven years of service she was president of the steering committee. The balance of her time was spent as a valued sub-committee chairperson. Due to her in-depth knowledge of the weekend’s activities, she was called upon numerous times by fellow committee members for her opinion and advice.
Gerry was extremely dedicated and committed to the Wild West Daze weekend, not only for its benefits to the community, but also to promote the sport of rodeo, which she dearly loved.
Gerry was a LEADER!! Her strong influence upon the success of the event is still very evident today. If a committee member had a problem, or needed assistance in any way, she was always available and ready to lend a helping hand.
In her final days, Gerry continued to show her love for the Wild West Daze. In 2006, she attended the final pre-event meeting to help ensure that all preparations were in place. Gerry was also able to attend the Friday evening performance, and found a moment to visit with friends and fellow committee members.
Gerry will always be remembered, not only for her years of work and dedication towards the Virden Indoor Rodeo & Wild West Daze, but for just being “Gerry”.
| 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 |