Owen Sound Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients Honoured for Outstanding Community Service
Olive Barowski, Jeff Nickel, Dave Barber, and Evelyn Barnes were celebrated at the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Awards for their service to Owen Sound.
Four residents were recognized this week for their contributions to the community as part of the Owen Sound Volunteer of the Year Awards. The honours, presented annually by the City of Owen Sound, celebrate individuals who have made significant impacts through volunteer work.
Awards are presented in three categories:
Volunteer of the Year recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteer service within the Owen Sound community.
Youth Volunteer of the Year is awarded to a young person aged 14 to 21 who has shown leadership and dedication through volunteer activities.
Senior of the Year honours a senior who has made a lasting impact through years of volunteer involvement.
Award recipients, along with their nominators, family, and friends, were invited to a presentation held in Council Chambers at City Hall during the April 28 council meeting.
Youth Volunteer of the Year: Olive Barowski
Olive Barowski was named Youth Volunteer of the Year. She was nominated by United Way of Bruce Grey, one of the organizations with which she volunteers. The organizer of Banditfest Music Festival, Olive also volunteers with the Owen Sound Farmers Market and Summerfolk.
Volunteer of the Year: Dave Barber
Dave Barber was nominated by Ross Hailey and the Silver Seas of Owen Sound, who noted that he has volunteered for over 570 hours over the last year at community events, including Salvation Army food drives, school breakfast programs, and Owen Sound Hockeyfest. He recently retired from auxiliary policing.
Volunteer of the Year: Jeff Nickel
Jeff Nickel was nominated for Volunteer of the Year by Owen Sound Minor Basketball, an organization he serves as founder and President. Nickel is a former Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) basketball player and high school coach. He’s an active coach credited with creating a thriving program that has benefitted countless players in Owen Sound.
Senior of the Year: Evelyn Barnes
Evelyn Barnes, nominated by Katie Gillespie on behalf of the Scenic City Lions Club of Owen Sound, was described as a mentor to many. Barnes has been a dedicated and active member of the Lions for 48 years.
Mayor Ian Boddy presented the awards alongside Councilor Marion Koepke, Chair of the Community Services Committee, and Paul Vickers, Bruce-Grey Owen Sound MPP.