VICTORIA – Families in the Victoria area are invited to join in the very first BC Family Day fun and activities on Monday, February 11th. Come on down to Ship Point in the Inner Harbour for a day-long series of concerts by some great local bands and performers, including popular indie rockers Current Swell and one of Canada’s legendary and ageless rock bands – Trooper! Get your face painted, try our scavenger hunt, learn something new, or take a tour

Andy Anderson served with distinction for 37 years in 2 Police forces.  The first 25 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police retiring in 1983 and the last 12 years with the Oak Bay Police Department retiring in 1995 as Chief Constable. During his career as a peace officer and in his retirement Andy has served his community in a number of volunteer roles with a variety of service groups such as: Oak Bay Volunteer Services, BBB of Vancouver Island,

Marie Cooper is a leading voice in Aboriginal education in BC. Her interest in education came at a time when post-secondary learning was deemed illegal for “Status Indians.” Undaunted, she graduated from high school in 1952 (as one of the first Aboriginal students permitted to attend a BC provincial school) and set her sights on a teaching degree. She refused to give up her Aboriginal status and identity in order to attend a Canadian university, and chose instead to leave

SAANICH – Five organizations in Saanich North and the Gulf Islands have received a total of $115,000 in Public Safety Grants from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. The organizations are: • Saanich Inlet Lifeboat Society-$22,100 • Salish Sea Marine Rescue Society-$10,000 • Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue Society-$11,000 • Gulf Islands Marine Rescue Society-$30,000 • Saanich Marine Rescue Society-$41,900 Additional Information: Community Gaming Grants allow non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues. Last fiscal year,

SALT SPRING ISLAND – Salt Spring Centre School Parent Support Group has received a $6,960 Community Gaming Grant from the Government of B.C.   Additional Information: Community Gaming Grants allow non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues to support direct delivery of a program that benefits the broader community. Last fiscal year, in 2011/12, government distributed a total of $135 million in gaming grants for eligible community programs and services. About 5,300 community groups benefited from funding during 2011/12.