Local egg farmer and volunteer presented with King Charles III Coronation Medal

Area egg farmer and volunteer Gary West was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Senator Rober Black at Stratford city hall Nov. 16.

An egg farmer and local volunteer who has lent his time and efforts to countless organizations throughout the region, including with this newspaper, was recently presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Senator Robert Black.

Black presented the coronation medal to Gary West during a small ceremony for friends and family at Stratford city hall on Nov. 16. Following the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023, the Canadian government created the King Charles III Coronation Medal to honour Canadians who have distinguished themselves through outstanding contributions and service to Canada.

“Gary, you have worked tirelessly in many areas, contributing to and supporting your organizations and communities, professional and personal, with little fanfare or recognition,” Black said. “Your unwavering commitment, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and care, is a source of inspiration for all Canadians.

“Gary, you remind us of the values that define our nation: selflessness, compassion and a dedication to helping others. Though your work may not always receive the spotlight it deserves, rest assured, it has not gone unnoticed, and is appreciated by many.”

Born into a Shakespeare dairy farming family in 1952, West spent his youth involved in local sports, 4-H and junior-farm organizations. After graduating from Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School, West studied journalism and worked as a radio broadcaster. He later returned to his agricultural roots, working with Western Ontario Breeders for six years before coming home to partner with his parents on their dairy farm.

West has served in numerous local organizations, including as president of Ontario Animal Breeders, the Stratford and District Agriculture Society, the Shakespeare Optimist Club and the Shakespeare Community Athletic Association. West also volunteers with Family Services Perth-Huron visiting palliative patients in their homes and he served on the Alzheimer Society of Perth County board of directors for seven years.

In the early 2000s, West and his family transitioned from dairy farming to egg farming and, today, the family cares for 41,000 laying hens at Westlandyn Farms.

After seeing a need for greater nutrition in schools roughly a decade ago, West launched a program that provides peeled, hardboiled eggs to schools free of charge. The program now serves more than 140 schools across Perth and Oxford counties and the Region of Waterloo.

“The King Charles III award came as a very big surprise to me, and I am absolutely humbled by the recognition,” West said. “I have received so many incredible comments from friends and neighbours that I can’t begin to say how emotionally happy I am that I can live, work and help out in any way I can in the area I have grown up and still live in.

“The Perth County area and organizations that are within it certainly would be the best in anyone’s books, and I am so privileged to be a small part of a very caring community.”

The King Charles III Coronation Medal isn’t the first accolade West has received for his volunteer service. West was named Stratford and area Citizen of the Year in 2013, he won the Perth County Federation of Agriculture’s Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award in 2009, he was inducted onto the Perth County Agriculture Wall of Fame in 2017, he was presented with Egg Farmers of Ontario’s Get Cracking Award in 2018 and he was presented with the 70th anniversary Queen’s Jubilee pin in 2022.

Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma was also on hand Nov. 16 to congratulate West on receiving the coronation medal.

“What an honour to have the Hon. Rob Black, senator, in Stratford to make a presentation of the King's Coronation Award to Gary West,” Ritsma said. “ … We have been so blessed by the amazing community work of Gary over his many years of service. His work with the hospice, the Stratford agricultural society, the fall fair, the Stratford and District Saddle Club and the eggs to schools and other local agencies’ programs are a few examples of his tireless work. I’m so proud to call Gary a very good friend and proud to have him receive and king's coronation award in council chambers."

Congratulations, Gary!