- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor
There wasn't a subject worth knowing about in Grey County that Darlene Vanwyck didn't want to record. If you were ever on local Rogers tv, chances are Darlene was behind the camera, in the producer's booth or doing the editing.
In September 17, 2021, Darlene celebrated 20 years with Rogers tv Grey County and on January 3, 2022, she passed away at 43.
Darlene was a mentor to so many in our community. From my days as a Rogers volunteer when I was fairly new in Owen Sound, to sitting as a colleague at the media table in the City Council chamber, Darlene was always willing to teach me something I did not know, or help me look at something from another perspective. When tributes on social media began to flow in, many of them spoke of Darlene's encouragement and humour, helping people believe that their story was worth hearing and they were the right ones to tell it. Others described how she had helped them gain confidence behind the camera, mic, or production board, leading them to experiences and opportunities they had not imagined.
To remember Darlene's life and legacy, the Darlene Vanwyck Award in Media Studies has been established and will be supported in perpetuity by an endowed fund held and administered by the Community Foundation Grey Bruce.
The Darlene Vanwyck Award will be available through an annual application process. Students from Grey County who are entering or currently engaged in post secondary media studies including radio, television, broadcasting, film or photography are eligible to apply.
The selection of the recipient will be done by the Education Committee of the Foundation. Darlene’s husband, Paul Vanwyck, is in full support of this Award and will be included in the decision-making. Selection criteria will include an outline of the program the applicant wishes to start, level of their community engagement, volunteerism as well as work and/or co-op history.
The fund will require $7500 to establish, which will allow an award of $300 to $500 per year.
Money donated to the endowed funds in the Community Foundation stays in our community in perpetuity. The income derived from the investment of these donations is distributed in specific ways, depending on the Fund involved.
Donations may be made by cheque to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, P.O. Box 81, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5P1, with the name Darlene Vanwyck on the memo line. Online donations can be made through Canada Helps at the Community Foundation Grey Bruce web page.