The Durham District School Board congratulates all of our honourees. We thank all of the members of our community who submitted nominations to our Hall of Fame, Definitely Durham. Thank you for joining us! Visit us at www.ddsb.ca The Durham District School Board’s Hall of Fame Welcome Carolyn Morton and Kimberly Zeppieri, Emcees and Trustee Members of the Definitely Durham Committee Greetings from the Durham District School Board of Trustees Joe Allin, Chair of the Board Greetings from the Durham District School Board Martyn Beckett, Director of Education Inductions into the Durham District School Board’s Hall of Fame, Definitely Durham G. Gary Edgar William Lishman Nigel Wilson Unveiling of the Definitely Durham plaques G. Gary Edgar G. Gary Edgar was a resident of Scugog Island (Mississaugas First Nation) until age 18 and a graduate of Port Perry High School. A Durham District School Board (formerly Durham Board of Education) teacher, Gary Edgar was the first Chair of the Durham Elementary Athletic Association, and a Physical Education and Health Consultant. Upon his retirement from teaching, he worked for the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation as Economic Development Officer and was elected Chief of the First Nation in 1993, serving two terms. As Chief he negotiated hunting and fishing rights, and processes towards self-government, creating local employment strategies. He played a lead role in the development of the Great Blue Heron Charity Casino and was their Manager of Public Relations. He led the creation of the Baagwating Community Association which oversees the distribution of charitable funds to the community and co-founded the First Nation Literacy project which connects Durham District School Board students with First Nations, Métis Inuit students in remote northern communities. Mr. Edgar was awarded the Tom Longboat Award for Athletics and Academics at age 16, served on the Durham College Board of Governors, was inducted to the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame and currently serves on their Selection Committee, serves on the Scugog Physician Recruitment Committee, the North Durham Health Council, and is Co-Chair of the Great Blue Heron Charity Golf Classic. He received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (Governor General’s Award 1992), the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the First Nation Canadian Gaming Award for Lifetime Achievement, and is an Honorary Doctor of Laws—University of Ontario Institute of Technology. William Lishman William Lishman was raised on his family farm in Ajax and is a graduate of Pickering High School. William Lishman began his artistic career in the one hundred year old blacksmith shop in Greenwood, Ontario. He became a world renowned artist in many media. He has produced and co-produced a number of award winning documentaries. In the 1970’s, William Lishman was one of the first pioneers of ultralight aviation in Canada and he became the first human to lead birds in the air. This was a precursor to the use of ultralight aircraft in establishing new migration routes for precocial birds. In the early 1990’s, he co-founded and is Chair Emeritus of Operation Migration Inc. which has played a key role in establishing a back-up flock of endangered Whooping Cranes in eastern North America. His best selling autobiography “Father Goose” inspired the film “Fly Away Home” and the French film, “The Winged Migration.” William Lishman is working on a number of projects including: Air First Aid, an airborne, first response supply system for victims of natural disasters; an aerial image book of the Oak Ridge Moraine; a 50 foot tall sculpture for the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa; and a concept for a revolutionary domed residential complex for use in extreme climates such as the Canadian Arctic. He is an Explorers’ Club Fellow, and a member of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. William Lishman has received numerous awards including the Odyssey of the Mind’s Creativity Award, the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal, and the US National Wildlife Federation Conservation Award. He has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and an Honorary Degree from Niagara University. Nigel Wilson Nigel Wilson was born in Oshawa, attended school in Ajax, and is a graduate of Ajax High School. Nigel Wilson played several sports through elementary and secondary school, however his passion was baseball. Signed by the Toronto Blue Jays organization at the age of 16 and selected to be a member of Team Canada, Nigel Wilson went through the minor leagues with the Blue Jays and was drafted by the Florida Marlins as their first round, first pick draft choice in their inaugural year. After playing Major League Baseball for four years for the Florida Marlins, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians, Nigel Wilson tested his talent internationally, participating in the winter baseball leagues in Venezuela and Puerto Rico. In 1997, he signed a contract with the Nippon Ham Fighters in the Japanese Baseball League. In his first two years Nigel Wilson won the Pro Japan League’s Home Run Title and by his fifth year, he was recognized for reaching the 100 home run mark. Other accomplishments included hitting four home runs in a single game and winning the league’s RBI (Runs Batted In) title. After sixteen years in professional baseball, Nigel Wilson decided to return to the Ajax area to give back to his community and mentor youth. He dedicates his time to teaching young aspiring athletes at his facility, “The Competitive Edge” where he instructs different aspects of baseball and inspires youth to do their best both on and off the field. Nigel Wilson’s commitment to community is extremely important, and he has been a guest speaker at numerous local events serving as a very positive role model for youth. Nigel Wilson is currently continuing development of his elite baseball program offering top players the opportunity to train like a professional and take their baseball careers to the next level. With Thanks... The Definitely Durham Selection Committee Carolyn Morton Trustee Kimberly Zeppieri Trustee Mary Hindle Community Representative Martyn Beckett Director of Education Doug Crichton Superintendent of Education/ Operations/Transportation/Leadership Development Durham District School Board of Trustees Joe Allin Townships of Brock and Uxbridge Chairperson Chris Braney City of Pickering Vice Chairperson Michael Barrett City of Oshawa Paul Crawford City of Pickering Donna Edwards Town of Ajax, Wards 3 and 4 Yvonne Forbes Town of Ajax, Wards 1 and 2 Kathleen Hopper City of Oshawa Larry Jacula City of Oshawa Carolyn Morton Township of Scugog Christine Winters Town of Whitby Kimberly Zeppieri Town of Whitby Naleesha Giga Student Trustee James Hare Student Trustee Aidan Woodcock-Russell Student Trustee