Awards - Recreation Nova Scotia

Recreation Nova Scotia Awards

The annual RNS Awards pay tribute to exceptional individuals, organizations, and communities that, through their programs, events, projects, and passion, have made outstanding contributions to building healthier communities and enhancing the quality of life for Nova Scotians through recreation.

2026 Award Winners

Bluenose Achievement Award	Murray MacKay
	The late Murray MacKay, described as a dedicated and humble volunteer in the community of Tatamagouche, was a driving force in the community he loved. Murray strengthened community connections by always engaging and supporting recreational opportunities for people of all ages. Through his leadership at the North Shore Recreation Centre, involvement with the curling community, and dedication to the Tatamagouche Area Trails Association, Murray was a true community builder. Murray’s commitment to the development and maintenance of the trail network and many of the community spaces and events he was involved in ensured that residents had access to safe, welcoming spaces for recreation year-round.
Mayflower Community Cooperation Award	Municipality of the District of Chester – Community Use of Schools
	Since 1990, the Municipality of the District of Chester (Chester) has progressively established formal joint-use of school (JUA) agreements with all five schools in their municipal unit. Starting with a community use agreement with the South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE, formerly the SSRSB) for the new build of Forest Heights school in 1990, Chester led the way in building a collaborative ‘can-do’ model for community use of schools that benefits their residents and the sector continues to learn from in 2026. Essential to this work is a strong working relationship with the SSRCE and their willingness to partner, problem solve and keep lines of communication open.
Connecting People with Nature Award	Pictou County Hike Club
	The Pictou County Hike Club is more than a hiking group—it is a welcoming community that helps people get outdoors, connect with nature, and build meaningful relationships. Through guided hike series organized in partnership with Municipal Physical Activity Leaders (MPALs) and local recreation partners, the club introduces residents to trails and natural spaces throughout Pictou County in a friendly and supportive way. A unique feature of the program is its partnership with Hike Nova Scotia. Participants who completed the full guided hike series were recognized with a Pictou County hiking badge through Hike Nova Scotia. This badge program added an element of fun and achievement, encouraging participants to continue exploring new trails, challenge themselves, and celebrate their commitment to being active outdoors.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (EDIA) Award	Superheroes United Program
	Superheroes United was established in 2017 to create an inclusive and supportive community for families of children with differing needs across the South Shore. Founded as a partnership between Through the Years Early Learning Centre and The Municipality of Chester Recreation & Parks Department with the support of SchoolsPlus and Autism Nova Scotia, the program was developed under the volunteer leadership of Paulette Harnish Benight and Rhonda Buffet in response to a gap in accessible family programming and peer support opportunities. A key strength of Superheroes United is its whole-family approach. While children build friendships, confidence, and social skills, parents and caregivers gain access to information, support networks, and shared experiences with others facing similar challenges. This combination of recreation, advocacy, and peer support helps strengthen both individual families and the broader community.
Event /Program Excellence Award	District of St. Mary’s Summer Day Camp Program
	The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s Summer Day Camp program provides high quality summer recreation experiences for children ages 4 to 12 for eight weeks each summer. What makes this program unique from others throughout Nova Scotia is that it is completely free for children who reside in the Municipality and has been offered free of charge for more than 40 years. Over the years, considerable effort has also gone into identifying and addressing barriers that may prevent children and families from participating, including an evaluation of the program in 2019 that resulted in significant changes to the program structure that reduced barriers for working parents and caregivers.
Heart of Recreation Award	Angie Tavares
	When the Chedabucto Lifestyle Complex opened in 2016, Angie Tavares recognized that creating a recreation facility was only the beginning. The greater challenge was ensuring it became a place where every member of the community felt welcome, safe, and that they truly belonged. At a time when rural communities were experiencing increasing social isolation, financial barriers to participation, and growing mental health and wellness needs, Angie supported her municipal team to choose to lead with a “people first” lens. Rather than viewing the CLC simply as a municipal recreation facility, Angie transformed it into a community hub. She consistently went beyond the responsibilities of operating programs and managing a facility by building meaningful relationships with schools, health partners, community organizations, volunteers, and residents. She listens to what the community needs and responds by creating opportunities, opening doors, and bringing people together. That lasting impact on the community is a reflection of Angie's leadership and illustrates how she truly embodies the Heart of Recreation.
Professional Achievement Award	Natalie d’Entremont
	Natalie's 39-year career in recreation has been marked by countless accomplishments, but what truly distinguishes her is the way she has invested in people and inspired others through her unwavering belief in the value and impact of recreation. One of Natalie's greatest contributions has been her commitment to mentorship. Throughout her career, she has mentored well over 100 summer staff, many of whom have gone on to careers in recreation, municipal government, education, and community leadership. Rather than directing every decision, Natalie encourages staff to think independently, solve problems, and develop confidence in their own abilities. Natalie's support extends far beyond mentoring those new to the profession. Across the South Shore, she has become a trusted sounding board for recreation professionals at every stage of their careers. Whether navigating complex challenges, exploring new ideas, or seeking an objective perspective, colleagues know they can rely on Natalie for thoughtful advice, and practical solutions. Whether working with a first-year summer student, an experienced recreation professional, or a volunteer board member, she consistently empowers others to succeed. Her willingness to invest in people has strengthened organizations, developed future leaders, and elevated the recreation profession throughout Nova Scotia. Natalie’s influence extends beyond the people she has touched to the practical tools, frameworks, and resources she has helped develop for the recreation sector in Nova Scotia, including her work as the first Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) facilitator on the South Shore; the lasting standards for inclusive recreation that exist in part due to her work as the Chair of the Municipality of Argyle Accessibility Committee and her time served on the Provincial Accessibility Directorate Building Standards Committee, and the impact she has had on improving program quality for children as a certified High Five Trainer.
Honourary Lifetime Member Award 2026	Rick Gilbert
	Rick worked in the recreation field in Nova Scotia for 50 years, serving in key roles including Coordinator of Outdoor Recreation with Province of NS; Executive Director of NS Youth Secretariat; and Director of Active Healthy Living/Corporate Services with Province of Nova Scotia. Rick played a key leadership role the development of both the national “Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015: Pathways to Wellness” as well as the Provincial Shared Strategy for Advancing Recreation in Nova Scotia, work that has guided the development of recreation throughout Canada for the past decade. Rick has remained a lifelong learner, participating in hundreds of conferences, workshops, and symposiums over the past five decades, as a learner, presenter, and organizer. He has made it his personal mission to promote the benefits of recreation at every opportunity. He truly was, and continues to be, one of the strongest advocates for recreation that this province has ever had.

2026 Award Artist

Artist Since 2018, each recipient of a Recreation Nova Scotia award has received a unique, handcrafted piece or print created by a Nova Scotian artist. This year's award artist, Ursula Ryle-Gulliver, created beautiful pieces that reflect the spirit of recreation, community, and connection to nature. We are proud to showcase local artistry while recognizing excellence in our sector.

Ursula has dabbled in fibre, paper, paint, fabric ... you name it, she’s tried it. Twenty-three years ago, she was reluctantly persuaded to take a rug hooking course and never looked back! The Colchester Heritage Rug Hookers took her on as a member and this historic fibre art has become a passion. Her designs, as you will see, are generally full of colour and eclectic in subject. Maritime themes and landscapes are a favourite, especially lighthouses.

Ursala's creations have been in group shows including Art Hits the Wall, Argyle Fine Art Gallery, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Community Fine Arts and Crafts Exhibit and various Truro Art Society exhibits. They have also been published in a book called Hooking Skies: The Sky’s the Limit and Ten Thousand Loops.

You can check out more of Ursala's creations on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Ursulasdesigns

About the RNS Awarda

Categories:

pdf Bluenose Achievement Award(1.06 MB)
pdf Mayflower Community Cooperation Award(1.03 MB)
pdf Connecting People with Nature Award(1.03 MB)
pdf Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access Award(1.03 MB)
pdf Event/Program Excellence Award(1.03 MB)
pdf Heart of Recreation Award(1.03 MB)
pdf Professional Achievement(1.03 MB)
pdf Honourary Lifetime Member(1.04 MB) (Nominations will not be accepted for this category in 2026)

FAQs:

Who can nominate?
Anyone can submit a nomination for any of the award categories.

How are awards determined?
In late Spring, RNS calls on the recreation community for volunteers to form its awards committee. Following the nomination submission deadline, the Awards Committee, composed of RNS staff members and other recreation professionals who volunteer from across the province, reviews submissions. Nominations are scored according to evaluation criteria described for each award. The recommendations from the Awards Committee are reviewed by the RNS Executive Director and approved by the RNS Board of Directors.

How will award recipients be notified?
Award recipients and those who nominated them will be contacted via email in September once the Board of Directors has approved the recommendations from the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee will request photos to be sent in for use during the awards presentation that takes place at the annual conference.

For questions, comments, or concerns, please email Lisa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

View Past Award Winners