GBA Update Spring 2025

Honourary Life Memberships: Recognizing Exceptional Contributions to GBA MEMBERSHIPS

By Allison Needham, Interim Executive Director and UPDATE Editor

GBA proudly honours individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to our mission through the Honourary Life Membership (HLM) program. This prestigious recognition is reserved for volunteers—whether Board members or otherwise—who have made a profound and lasting impact on GBA’s advocacy, conservation, and community engagement through extraordinary actions or sustained commitment. While GBA’s Champions of the Bay program (see page 3 for more) celebrates a wide range of contributors to Georgian Bay’s health and sustainability, HLMs are volunteers whose

exceptional, long-term contributions have directly advanced GBA’s work. These individuals exemplify leadership, service, and dedication, strengthening our mission and inspiring future generations. Welcoming Our 2025 Inductees At our upcoming Annual Members Meeting (AMM) on April 12, 2025, we will proudly recognize three outstanding individuals as HLMs for their extraordinary contributions.

Claudette Young (South Channel Association) Claudette is being honoured for her unwavering leadership in advocating for sustainable fish farming practices. A lifelong advocate for Georgian Bay’s water quality, she has served two terms as a GBA Director, was president of the South Channel Association, and, most notably, has chaired the Aquaculture Committee for 25 years. With a background in education, Claudette’s passion for the environment has driven her tireless work to promote biosecure, land based aquaculture instead of subsidized, open-net pen operations threatening water health. Growing up as the youngest of 13 grandchildren, she developed a deep love for the Bay’s aquatic life, a passion she shares with her eight grandchildren.

Bob Duncanson (Madawaska Club at Go Home Bay) Bob Duncanson is recognized for his decade-long tenure as GBA’s Executive Director. During this time, he was pivotal in strengthening GBA’s influence through advocacy, relationship-building, and consensus-driven leadership. A trusted statesman, mentor, and champion for Georgian Bay, Bob helped shape GBA’s reputation as a powerful voice in conservation. His ability to cultivate strong relationships with elected officials and policymakers elevated GBA’s profile and ensured that our concerns were acknowledged at all levels of government. One of his most notable achievements was leading GBA to the table at the highest levels of government during critical moments, such as the low water levels crisis in 2012–13. His steady leadership and advocacy during such times exemplified his ability to turn challenges into meaningful action. Thanks to his leadership, GBA’s advocacy efforts became more effective, significantly expanding our reach and impact.

John McMullen (Bayfield-Nares Islanders Association) John served the GBA Board for 10 years, including two years as executive vice president and two as president. Throughout his tenure, he provided a steady and thoughtful presence, consistently offering a voice of calm and reason. John consistently went above and beyond in his service to GBA. His dedication to fair and responsible stewardship of Georgian Bay was particularly evident in his collaboration with the Northern Georgian Bay Association (NGBA) on land use issues, especially concerning the Wiikwemkoong (Wiiky) First Nation land claim. He devoted significant time working alongside NGBA, our member association in the Killarney area, to navigate land use arrangements related to this claim. He continues to advise on this important matter for GBA, and we greatly appreciate the strong working relationship he built with the leadership of the Wiiky First Nation.

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GBA UPDATE • Spring 2025