Co-founder of Bay Roberts Heritage Society accorded special honour

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After 34 years of service with the Bay Roberts Heritage Society, founding member Jean Hillyard was presented with a lifetime membership certificate at the society’s annual general meeting this past December.
Hillyard does not get out to the museum as often as she’d like these days, but is grateful to have been there from the beginning.
“It was a pleasure to have been a member and help contribute to establishing such a wonderful museum and gallery in the town,” Hillyard said. “It was also a rewarding experience for me to meet so many people in the heritage community and visitors from all over the world.”
Hillyard and Betty Jerrett were founding members and organizers of the museum committee in 1989, which later evolved into the Bay Roberts Heritage Society, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.
Although Hillyard was the one being honored at the AGM, she couldn’t help but give her own thanks to Jerrett, whom she lauded as an exceptional member of the society who could always be depended on.
“She was the perfect volunteer,” Hillyard said.