Freemen

The Freedom of the Municipality is an honour bestowed upon distinguished persons in recognition and appreciation of their long and faithful public service. Previous Councils have conferred the title of Freeman on the following people for their notable achievements and contributions to North Cowichan.

C.A.P. Murison, 1973

Charles Alexander Phipps Murison was first elected to North Cowichan Council in 1952, serving as a councillor for 2 years and as Reeve from 1954 to 1959. His accomplishments include both the Chemainus and Crofton sewer and water systems, and the implementation of the first comprehensive zoning, subdivision, and building by law package. In addition to his time spent with North Cowichan Council, he served as the president of the Union of BC Municipalities for two years and was a life member of the organization. In 1973, as part of the municipality’s centennial year he was one of three persons made a Freeman.

R. Clegg, 1973

Reginald Clegg served as councillor from 1960 until 1967. He was made a Freeman in 1973.

D.C. Morton, 1973

The Methodist Minister's son from Birmingham, England lived in Manitoba before moving to B.C. in 1936. Shortly thereafter, Donald Christopher Morton accepted a job managing the Ayrhsire dairy cattle at Cowichan's Fairbridge Farm. He eventually owned his own dairy farm in the Somenos area until 1966. He was the Cowichan Leader's agricultural editor for many years. Mr. Morton served overseas with the reinforcements of the Canadian Scottish Regiment during World War II. He began his career as a local government politician  in 1954 when he was elected councillor. He was elected reeve in 1960 and in subsequent years until 1970. He served another three years as councillor after that, retired from municipal politics in 1973. Mr. Morton was then appointed to the B.C. Assessment Authority Board and served for 14 years as a director. During his terms as reeve, the municipal forest reserve was established, and the Cowichan District Hospital and municipal hall on Trans Canada Highway were built. Mr. Morton was made a Freeman in 1973.

A. VandeCasteyen, 1975

Adolphe VandeCasteyen began his municipal career at the age of 17 when he started with the City of Ladysmith where he worked for nine years. Following a year as the Clerk- Treasurer in Kaslo, he began his 32 year career with North Cowichan. Retiring as Clerk-Administrator he had also spent four years as the Secretary-Treasurer of School District #65. He was the first president of the Vancouver Island Municipal Officer’s Association and had served as a president of the Municipal Officer’s Association of British Columbia. Active within the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities he acted as Secretary-Treasurer. Continuing his education in 1960 he achieved his CGA degree. In 1975, Mr. VandeCasteyen was made a Freeman.

M. C. Robertson, 1991

Margaret, with her husband Stan, moved to Duncan in December of 1947. Her three children were all born here in Duncan in the old King’s Daughters’ Hospital. Active in the community, she became involved in scouts, guides, the music festival, and parent teachers association. In 1966 she ran in a by-election for North Cowichan Council and won. During her 24 years in office, Mrs. Robertson was Deputy Mayor, and she served as chairman of every committee except public works. In addition, she served on the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board and the Cowichan Valley Hospital board. In 1991, in recognition of her years of dedicated service to the municipality Margaret Robertson was made a Freeman.

R.H. Hollett, 1997

Henry Rex Hollett established his successful tire business in Chemainus in 1956. He and his wife, Georgina, raised four children, and Rex spent many busy hours coaching youth softball, baseball and soccer.  He was first elected to North Cowichan Council in 1977, serving for eleven years as an Aldermen before being elected Mayor in 1987. He remained on council as Mayor until 1996. He reclaimed the Mayor's chair in the 1999 municipal election and served another term until 2002. In addition to his time spent with North Cowichan Council, Mr. Hollett served on the Cowichan District Hospital Board, the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board, and was the president and an active member of the Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce and the Chemainus Rotary Club. In 1997, Mr. Hollett was made a Freeman.