Awards Dinner 2010/Soirée de gala 2010

The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Premier Gordon Campbell with David Barr Award recipient Doug Flynn. Hon. Randy Hawes, Minister of State for Mining, top left. Photo Credit: Brian Dennehy

Rhona Macintosh - The Core

The dimmed lights, high in the vaulted ceiling, softly illuminated the growing crowd of delegates waiting in the hall for the most anticipated event of Mineral Exploration Roundup 2010; the Awards Dinner. People gathered in little groups, drinks in hand, and a roar of excited chatter took over the entire space.

Finally, after a fashionable delay of 15 minutes, the doors to the Stanley Park Ballroom were flung open to reveal dozens of tables set with pure white linen, organic salad, Jackson Triggs wine, and luscious creme brulee. An exodus from hallway to dining hall commenced with amazing swiftness and within seconds all were inside, searching for their tables, all the while serenaded by string trio, Armadillo Strings.

As the head tables were introduced the audience blithely ignored a request to refrain from applause until all names were announced; and former Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, was greeted with sheer thunder.

Mr. Chretien, the keynote speaker, introduced by Premier Gordon Campbell, took the stage as the crowd finished their entrees and delivered a highly entertaining address. Chretien, it turns out, had a big part in securing Vancouver’s Olympic bid and will be here come February to support our fabulous Canadian athletes. He took a moment to recognize the ongoing tragedy in Haiti; thanking the Canadian public for “their generosity and their compassion.” Mineral Exploration Roundup has raised over $15,000 for relief in Haiti.

Chretien, who is counselo for law firm and Roundup gold sponsor, Heenan Blaikie, highlighted the importance of the mining industry to the Canadian economy, pointing that wherever you go in the world, the Canadian mineral exploration and mining industry has an influence and bring much-needed expertise to projects in developing countries. The former Prime Minister is on his way to Saudi Arabia with the Toronto Stock Exchange aiming to negotiate deals to further Canadian mining development abroad.

Chretien’s address proved that his charm and charisma will still captivate a room. His anecdotes, references and jokes, sprinkled throughout his speech, made his time onstage seem all too short. He even regaled the audience with a tale of a recent heli-skiing trip! He is 73 years young and shows no intention of slowing down. His closing remarks brought the audience to their feet with overwhelming applause:

“The Olympics will be great; BC is great, Canada is great! Vive le Canada!”

Award Recipients:
Shawn Ryan - H.H. “Spud” Huestis Award
Stephen Quin and Bruce McLeod – E.A. Scholz Award
Channing (Chan) Buckland – Murray Pezim Award
Barbara Scott Smith – Hugo Dummett Diamond Award
Mark Rebagliati – Colin Spence Award
Doug Flynn – David Barr Award
Judi L’Orsa – Robert R. Hedley Award
Randy Turner – Gold Pan Award