2016

Barry Bethune | Cecilia Cornelissen O'Neill | Raymond Gibbs| Bryan McKenzie | Char-Lan Junior "B" Rebels Team of 1985-86
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Barry Bethune

Barry Bethune

Barry Bethune of South Lancaster was an all-around athlete competing in many sports during his youth, but has been renowned for his football talent as quarterback at Glengarry District High School (GDHS). In his last year of high school, Bethune was nominated most valuable player (MVP) for the Lion’s Club award and was one of four GDHS players selected to attend the Ottawa Rough Rider Scholarship Camp. Upon graduation he played seven games with the Cornwall Mustangs of the Eastern Ontario Junior Football League from 1968 to 1969, but eventually went on to work at Domtar in Cornwall for 35 years. Bethune has also been recognized for his coaching skills in the Cornwall Girls Hockey Association (CGHA) that saw two of his players go on to Team Canada; Nancy Deschamps from Hawkesbury and Lori Dupuis who won two Olympic gold medals. He gives much credit to the coaches he’s had over the years for helping instil in him the ability to lead champions.

Cecilia Cornelissen O'Neill 

Originally from Williamstown, Cecilia Cornelissen O’Neill has set numerous track and field records, has run marathons including Boston and has travelled world-wide representing the sport. She attended Char-Lan District High School where she was first from the school to qualify for OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association) in track and cross-country. She set records in the 1500 and 300 meter runs and participated in her first marathon in Montreal. She then went on to Queen’s University to study physical and health education. While there, she excelled further in her running and travelled to England to represent Canada. In 1986 at the age of 19 she attended the Canadian National Championship. She then moved to Bishop’s University where she received her teaching certificate. The World Masters competitor has opened a personal training business with four running groups, is a Tabata boot camp instructor and has received grants to get children involved in sports. Cornelissen O’Neill is now heading north to Janvier, Alberta, a remote First Nations community near Fort McMurray. There she will continue to instil the healthy and athletic lifestyle she believes comes from her roots and life in Glengarry. 
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Cecilia Cornelissen O'Neill
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Raymond Gibbs

Raymond Gibbs

Champion powerlifter Raymond Gibbs of Alexandria got his start hoisting car parts and steel pipes. Gibbs has lifted in over 30 competitions and credits his success to Alexandria and his many friends. He attended Glengarry District High School (GDHS) from 1973-1977. While going to school, he also played football, hockey, and soccer, but bodybuilding became his passion. Gibbs moved to Ottawa in 1980 started seriously training at the YMCA. Gibbs was the winner of the Canadian competition in 1988, ‘89, ‘92, and ‘95. He then went on to place 7th in Perth Australia’s worlds in 1988, 6th in Nova Scotia in 1989 and 13th in Birmingham, England in 1992. In addition, Gibbs founded the Ottawa Strong Powerlifting Club in 1993. HE was president of the Ontario Powerlifting Association and, along with his wife, is a provincially sanctioned powerlifting referee. He is now retired from the utility company and is dabbling in bee keeping. Gibbs still works out three to four times a week and continues to be a strong advocate for the sport of powerlifting. 

Bryan McKenzie

Bryan McKenzie of Williamstown has been called a true pioneer for Char-Lan district hockey as well as being a great leader and mentor. His long lasting sports history in the then Charlottenburg Township began when he started girls broomball, and helped build the baseball diamond and benches in St. Raphel’s. McKenzie had a big part to play in building the Char-Lan Minor Hockey Association, as he ran the rink at Iona Academy, was on the arena board, and coached numerous sports teams. He has coached baseball, soccer, and broomball. McKenzie, who started playing hockey at 12-years-old, has recently hung up his skates. But Glengarry sport still runs thick through his blood.
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Bryan McKenzie
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Char-Lan Junior "B" Rebels Team 1985-86

Char-Lan Junior "B" Rebels Team of 1985-86

The Char-Lan Rebels Jr “B” Hockey Club was founded in 1979. A group of nine men with hockey backgrounds pooled their resources and applied for a franchise in the Eastern Ontario Jr “B” Hockey League. The franchise was granted and the team began play for the 1979-80 season. The object of the new franchise was to provide a higher caliber of competition for the graduates of the Char-Lan minor hockey association program. The first Glengarry hockey team to become champions of the Eastern Ontario Junior “B” Hockey League (E.O.J.“B”.H.L) was the Char-Lan Rebels in the 1985-86 season. The team, which was based in Williamstown, brought excitement and a strong sense of pride to Glengarry. The Rebels knocked off Alexandria, Winchester, Navan and Brockville in the preliminary play-off rounds, before meeting the South Ottawa Canadians in the best of seven final. The Rebels defeated Ottawa in five games, to capture their first E.O.J.“B”.H.L. title.