This week, at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in Vancouver, three outstanding water safety volunteers were inducted as members of the Order of Red Cross - our society's highest honour - in recognition for their years of dedication.
In appreciation of their ongoing commitment to the community, we are pleased to welcome Anne Porteous, Wayne Little and Janice Makepeace to the Order of the Red Cross.
This short video captures their reactions immediately following the award presentation.
Anne Porteous, British Columbia
For all who worked alongside her throughout her 24 years as a swimming and water safety volunteer, Anne Porteous has been a tireless advocate of the Red Cross and a near peerless champion for drowning prevention initiatives in Canada and around the world. Time and again, Anne has accepted program development assignments that would change the structure of how the Red Cross trained their instructors. The impact of her efforts has been felt in pools throughout the country and far beyond our borders. A Master Instructor Trainer and volunteer since 1992, Anne has personally led over 50 Water Safety Instructor Trainer courses and re-certifications. From 2009-2015, Anne played a pivotal role in the Chinese Water Safety Initiative, an effort that resulted in 40 Water Safety Instructors, 4000 children and more than 40,000 fishermen trained in Water Safety Education. Always striving to advance the work of the Red Cross, Anne dedicated a full three years of intense volunteer time to leading the Instructor Development Program.
Wayne Little, Ontario
Wayne Little has been a loyal and dedicated volunteer with the Niagara branch and swimming and water safety programs of the Canadian Red Cross for more than 33 years. He has continuously served in a number of programs and services as well as in positions of leadership. Wayne has served as Chair of the Swimming and Water Safety Technical Advisory Committee since its inception in 2013. As committee chair, he has inspired the group with his passion and quick wit. He began as a Swimming and Water Safety Master Instructor Trainer in 1985. Throughout his time as a Master Instructor Trainer, he has mentored countless Water Safety Instructor Trainers and Water Safety Instructors. Wayne is passionate about getting the Red Cross Lifeguard Program recognized by the Ontario Government and has been a strong advocate in assisting with this process. He has assisted in many training sessions to share this program with Ontario swimming pools.
Janice Makepeace, Ontario
Janice Makepeace has been a loyal and dedicated volunteer with the Swimming and Water Safety programs of the Canadian Red Cross for more than 28 years. She has continuously served the program in a number of different ways. Janice has served as a Master Instructor Trainer since 1989, and has mentored many Water Safety Instructors and Instructor Trainers throughout northern Ontario and now southwestern Ontario. Janice was a member of the Lifeguard Technical Advisory Committee and was instrumental in the creation of the Red Cross Lifeguard and Assistant Lifeguard program. Most recently, she has been a member of the Swimming and Water Safety Technical Advisory Group and has focused on community engagement. Her role as a Swimming and Water Safety program volunteer has encompassed many different projects.
If you would like to get involved, learn more about how to volunteer with us.
Learn more about getting certified in water safety.