City recognizes winners of 2024 Civic Awards

Councillor Callan Morrison (far left) and Councillor Haven Lurbiecki (second from right) pose with Civic Award winners (left to right) Matthew Campbell, Jennifer Madoc-Jones, Janice Cotter, Kate Zubick, Ashley Anderson, and Dianna Brown at Port Moody’s volunteer appreciation gala on January 11, 2024.]
On January 11, 2025, the City of Port Moody honoured the winners of the 2024 Civic Awards at a volunteer appreciation gala.
“On behalf of our Council and the community, I would like to thank our six award winners for their dedication, determination, and innovation,” said Mayor Meghan Lahti. “They have spent countless hours helping and inspiring others, reducing barriers to participation in community life, and protecting and strengthening the things we value such as the arts, heritage, and our natural environment. The Civic Awards provide us with an opportunity to celebrate some of the talented and hard-working people who bring positive change and help make Port Moody a better place.”
The Civic Awards are presented every two years to deserving individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made significant contributions to the community. Civic committees review nominations and forward recommendations to Council for consideration and final decision.
For the 2024 Civic Awards, there are recipients in five categories: accessibility, arts, heritage, environment, and sports (adults). Please note the City will seek nominations for the Sports Award (Youth) between January and April 2025.
The City thanks the following recipients for their service to the community:
Ashley Anderson (Peter Hulbert Accessibility Award)
Ashley Anderson was recognized for going above and beyond in promoting accessibility and inclusion in our community. Anderson has helped remove barriers for persons with accessibility needs by advocating for improvements to sidewalks, curbs, and snow removal as well as championing an accessible entrance to an apartment building. She has worked with SPARC BC to enhance the signage and painting of accessible parking spaces, and with the City to ensure the appropriate use of these parking spaces. Anderson is known for how much she cares for others and her commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion.
Janice Cotter (Arts Award)
Janice Cotter was honoured for the creativity and passion she brought to her role as the gallery manager at PoMoArts for 10 years, and for her passion and time as a founding and current member of The Art Shuffle, Port Moody's annual art walk. As gallery manager, Cotter curated countless shows in multiple galleries and has been an advocate for a diverse community of artistic voices, including the True Colours Youth Pride exhibition, Indigenous artists exhibitions, the annual Kwi Am Choi Award recipient exhibit, the year-end show for the Ceramics Artist-in-Residence, PoMoArts student exhibits, the annual Winter Treasures display, and work by local groups such as the TriCity Potters.
Dianna Brown (Heritage Award)
Dianna Brown was celebrated for her decades of heritage advocacy. Brown has volunteered on the Heritage Commission (now the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee) and acted as a board member for the Port Moody Heritage Society. She has been a driving force in promoting public awareness of Port Moody’s history in tangible ways through heritage stone markers, storyboards, and utility box interpretive wraps, as well as through her volunteer work with Ioco Ghost Town Days. Brown is currently the vice president of the Heritage Society, which operates the PoMo Museum. She has a passion for capturing stories of early Port Moody residents to help build the museum’s oral history collection.
Jennifer Madoc-Jones (Environmental Award)
Jennifer Madoc-Jones was recognized for her outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability and community engagement in Port Moody. Madoc-Jones has been a committed volunteer with the Mossom Creek Hatchery since 2015. As a retired chemistry teacher, she brings exceptional expertise in water quality testing where she established a program that contributes scientific data to national platforms and studies. She actively participates in salmon habitat restoration projects through fry releases, stream surveys, and fish tagging projects, and serves on the Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society Board. Madoc-Jones trains student volunteers, leads outreach events, and fosters community building.
Matthew Campbell (Sports Award)
Matthew Campbell was honoured for his transformative leadership and pioneering contributions to the Port Moody Soccer Club. As president, Campbell has overseen the growth of the club’s membership to nearly 2,000 players. Under his guidance and dedication, the club introduced innovative programs like adaptive soccer, becoming one of the first in B.C. to offer inclusive opportunities for athletes of all abilities. His efforts have created a welcoming environment where players of all ages and skill levels can thrive. Campbell’s advocacy also propelled the club to earn the Canada National Youth Club License and participate in the BC Soccer Premier League, B.C.’s highest level of youth soccer.
Kate Zubick (Sports Award)
Kate Zubick was celebrated for her exceptional leadership and dedication to sports in Port Moody. Since 2014, Zubick has coached the Draggin’ Divas Dragon Boat team. With her motto, “Yes you can,” she inspires athletes to realize their potential. Zubick has also coached a diverse range of dragon boat and outrigger teams, including visually impaired athletes and breast cancer survivors. She has made a positive impact on Port Moody’s youth during her career as a teacher at both Moody and Eagle Mountain middle schools, where she coached track and field and cross country. A life-long athlete, Zubick has represented Canada in the World Dragon Boat Championships across six countries.