The Municipality of Brighton honoured nine residents Thursday evening during its annual Volunteer Recognition Event at the Owen Gibb Community Hall.
The event brought together council members, staff, previous award recipients, and community volunteers to celebrate the people who give their time and energy to local causes.
Seven residents received the 2026 Spirit of Service Award for their volunteer efforts: Stephen Bruneau, Joyce Cassin, Sarjoon Elawar, Paul Kozlenko, Andrea Nelson, Debbie Parry, and Kathie Woodcox.
The municipality’s highest honour, the Brighton Community Service Excellence Award, was presented to Anna Rittwage and Durene Swain.
Both women have served as executive members of Save Our Heritage for more than 30 years and have played a major role in preserving Brighton’s local history.
Their work includes helping plan, fundraise for, and build the Proctor Simpson Barn, as well as ensuring the Proctor House Museum remains open each summer.
Under their leadership as President and Treasurer, the museum has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors and helped showcase Brighton’s heritage to the public.
The Proctor Simpson Barn has also become a well-known community venue for theatre, concerts, and entertainment.
Mayor Brian Ostrander says the pair represent the very best of community service and have worked tirelessly to protect and preserve an important part of Brighton’s history.
The Brighton Community Service Excellence Award was previously known as Citizen of the Year and recognizes individuals who make a lasting impact on the municipality and its residents.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
