2006 ROBERT J. BOYER AWARD

IAN TURNBULL

In 2001, the Foundation established the Robert J. Boyer Award to honour individuals who demonstrate significant commitment to the cultural and historical heritage of Muskoka. The award is named after Bob Boyer, a local historian with a life-long commitment to the unique cultural heritage of Muskoka, and was created through the generosity of Ms. Vicki Billingsley, Mr. Boyer's daughter. Mr. Boyer was a politician, an author, a publisher, and a tireless promoter of Muskoka to the rest of the world. He wrote the quintessential book of Bracebridge's history, A Good Town Grew Here, and he was instrumental in the restoration of Woodchester Villa. For a time, Mr. Boyer acted as a trustee for the Royal Ontario Museum. Mr. Boyer was a founding patron of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation and was an honourary patron until his death in 2005. Sadly, his daughter Vicki, passed away in 2004. The award is maintained through the generosity of her children, Johnston and Martha.

This year's recipient of the Boyer award, Ian Turnbull, has had a lifelong love affair with Muskoka and its lakes, boats and buildings. A fourth generation cottager as a child, a boat driver for a summer resort as a teeager, and a full-time resident as an adult, Ian has dedicated a good part of his life to preserving the beautiful heritage of Muskoka through volunteerism, education and personal action.

In 1969, still not 30, Ian and his wife Dianne rescued Timothy Eaton's 1901 log cabin in Windermere, resurrecting it near the 1886 Turnbull cottage on the Indian River in Port Carling - a rare act of conservation in a time when old boats and buildings were being razed in Muskoka.

A wooden boat enthusiast from the time when there were no other kind, Ian was always at home behind the wheel, first in his parents' Duke Playmate, then in the Ditchburn launches of Wigwassan Lodge, and now in his own 1960 Duke. His passion for sharing knowledge of antique and classic boatbuilding has made him an invaluable resource for boat researchers and collectors.

Ian joined the staff of the District Municipality of Muskoka in 1971 and, 33 years later, retired as Commissioner of Community Services, responsible for The Pines, Social Housing, Child Care, Ontario Works and Homelessness.

He maintains a strong commitment to volunteerism and, over the years, has participated on the boards of several organizations promoting heritage interests: the Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society; the Muskoka Navigation and Hotel Company; the Muskoka Heritage Foundation; the Muskoka Lakes Association and the Muskoka Lakes Museum.

Ian has been a key player in many projects promoting heritage interests, usually taking a behind-the-scenes approach. These include antique boat shows; the Township of Muskoka Lakes Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee; the Port Carling Heritage Festival; the Port Carling Centennial Book; the Muskoka Heritage Foundation's Summer Tours; and the design group for the Wenonah II.

Since his retirement in 2004, Ian has devoted most of the time to two projects: The Wall Looks Back in Port Carling and Grace and Speed: the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre in Gravenhurst. He has also participated in the formation of the new Muskoka Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.

Natural heritage is also very important to him and, at present, he is Vice-Chair of the Muskoka Watershed Council.

His is quite a legacy. We are delighted to present Ian Turnbull with the 2006 Robert J. Boyer Award.