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VICTORIA – Judith Armstrong and Nick Marsden are long-time volunteer leaders with a passion for people and community. As President and Vice-President of Operation Trackshoes (OT) respectively, their combined efforts over 40 years have resulted in the development of OT into British Columbia’s most successful sports festival for people with developmental disabilities.
Nick and Judith will jointly accept the prestigious Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award in Community Leadership (sponsored by Heart Pharmacy) at the 12th annual Victoria Leadership Awards (VLAs) gala on February 25, 2016 at the Victoria Conference Centre.
Begun in 1971 with Judith’s leadership, Operation Trackshoes has continued for 46 years under the joint leadership of Judith and Nick, who joined the team in 1972. Each June, approximately 600 participants with developmental disabilities (between the ages of 6 and 80) take part. Additionally, over 600 community volunteers from Victoria and beyond assist as counsellors, nurses, and sports officials.
Operation Trackshoes benefits the community of people with developmental disabilities by giving them the opportunity to take part in races, games and social activities during a fun-filled weekend away from their homes fostering a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.
The Greater Victoria community has benefited significantly by the core values, actions, and sustained leadership of Judith and Nick for over 40 years.
The upcoming twelfth annual Victoria Leadership Awards ceremony, on February 25, provides the occasion to honour all 19 distinguished nominees in nine prestigious categories—from youth to lifetime achievement. Led by Leadership Victoria, the awards are a partnership between Leadership Victoria, the University of Victoria, the Rotary Clubs of Greater Victoria, the Victoria Foundation and the United Way of Greater Victoria.
Previous recipients of the lifetime achievement award include: Clarence (Butch) Dick (2015), Mickey and Donna Hajash (2014), Bob Harman (2013), Naz Rayani (2012), the late Alex Campbell (2011), Tom Oshiro (2010), Ted and Helen Hughes (2009), the late Jane Heffelfinger (2008), Ron Lou-Poy (2007), Fiona Hyslop (2006), and Mel Cooper (2005).
Leadership Victoria is a community-based, voluntary organization committed to developing, supporting, recognizing and honouring outstanding community leaders. Since its formation in 2000, it has become the go-to organization for community leadership in Greater Victoria, graduating over 250 leaders who work collaboratively to resolve the complex challenges facing our city.
A list of this year’s award nominees is available at www.victorialeadershipawards.ca and videos from last year’s ceremony can be viewed on their YouTube channel.