Guest Speakers for 2024-25
Presenter: Lynn Wiemer
Topic: What to do if you experience a sudden, unexpected death in the family
Lynn's Bio will be coming soon.
Presenter: Jean Rowcliffe
Topic: Nanny to the Royals
Jean's Bio will be coming soon.
Presenter: Brandon Dobson, Program Supervisor for the Town of Hanover
Topic: Hanover Age Friendly Committee
Brandon Dobson has 9 years of municipal experience, including 3 years with the Town of Hanover as the Program Supervisor in the Parks, Recreation & Culture department. He will be speaking about Hanover's Age Friendly Committee.
Brandon grew up loving sports & recreation, having played hockey, football, baseball and track & field, among others. He is extremely passionate about this community, and the role he plays within this department. He looks forward to continuing to foster relationships, and building connections in the area.
Brandon and his wife, Nicole (an RPN at Hanover Hospital), moved to Durham in 2022 and shortly after welcomed a baby girl. They are looking forward to the anticipated arrival of a baby boy this July.
Presenter: Willy Waterton & Audrey Armstrong
Topic: Hiking the Bruce Trail
Willy Waterton
A creek still bears the family name where Willy’s ancestors settled in northern Grey County during the 1840’s. A self-taught photographer, Willy Waterton spent 35 years as a fulltime photojournalist at the Owen Sound Sun Times. During his tenure as chief photographer, he oversaw the transition from black and white to colour then finally to digital. His newspaper photographs won over 100 provincial and national awards. In 1990, Willy was named Ontario News Photographers’ Association Photographer of the Year. His photographs have appeared in national and international magazines, newspapers and books including the Globe and Mail, New York Times and National Geographic. In the past, Willy was a contract photographer for both Ontario Parks and Parks Canada. His work is in public and private collections. Willy’s lifelong love for Bruce & Grey Counties has led to a commitment through his photography to interpret these special parts of the world for you to enjoy and help to protect. He is active in many community volunteer organizations including the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and Huron Fringe Birding Festival. He is also the OSFN representative for the Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park advisory committee.
Audrey Armstrong
Audrey graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in experimental art and textiles and for ten years she ran Watercress Weavery,her own weaving business. After graduating from University of Guelph and the University of Toronto, Audrey taught elementary school with the Bluewater District School Board for 25 years, receiving the Teacher of Excellence award. A presenter with the Monarch Teacher Network, Audrey has led in-depth workshops on monarch butterflies, habitat development and Voices from the Land workshops, developing visual and literary interpretations of nature in Canada and the USA. She continues her love of teaching by leading workshops for Ontario Parks and Parks Canada staff. She is active in many community volunteer organizations including the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and Huron Fringe Birding Festival. Audrey shares her passion and interest in habitat creation with the public. She is also the Ontario Nature representative for OSFN.