Our course leaders come with a wide variety of experience from different backgrounds. Have a look at some!
ASHLEY, MARY
Mary Ashley is a former Mayor of Campbell River. She was declared the first "City Mother" and was a guiding force of Campbell River's transition out of the resource economy, who was instrumental in establishing the city's current networks and attractions. Her influence can be seen in many local government projects.
BEATTIE, KEN
Ken Beattie is an award-winning photographer who continues developing his photo expertise exploring the techniques of digital artistry. Creations range from high quality photos, painting with light, to blends of reality and fantasy.
BUTCHER, KRISTIN
Kristin Butcher was a school teacher for 21 years. After that, she embarked on a second career as a writer, publishing 30 books in 25 years. She is an experienced and knowledgeable presenter who enjoys helping others discover their talents and hone their skills.
BJORNSON, BRUCE
Bruce Bjornson, MA, is a former commercial banker. He spent fifteen years managing international projects with CIDA, USAID, UN, EU and is a former software instructor for the Vancouver School Board.
CLAYARDS, LYNN
Lynn has been an avid crafter and fabric artist for many years, focusing on needle arts, including cross stitch and felt techniques. Self taught, she has learned basic to advanced methods to successfully create a variety of items.
COOLEY, STEVE
Graduated from CARIHI 1962. Worked at Elk Falls while attending UVic. Teacher in Victoria and Slocan City, paramedic in Vanderhoof. Since moving back to Campbell River in 2009, traveled up and down Vancouver Island by car and motorcycle looking at its small towns, museums, old mines, logging displays and other Island sites and sights.
DUNN, BRUCE
After twenty-seven years, Bruce Dunn has recently retired as Conductor and Music Director of the Kamloops Symphony. Under his artistic direction the orchestra expanded it’s repertoire, maintained a large, supportive audience, and provided an enjoyable environment for many musicians. Music is in his DNA.
FALSTREM, ED
Ed joined the Royal Canadian Navy as an officer cadet in 1954, and spent 30 of the next 38 years in the navy, mostly aboard submarines.
FISHER, ARIJA
Arija Fisher is the Adult Services librarian at the Campbell River branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library.
FITZPATRICK, KYLE
Kyle Fitzpatrick is the Education Coordinator at Greenways Land Trust. He works in nature-based education with students throughout the local school district, as well as with adults, and leads Greenways' Nature Club, which provides opportunities for the public to join in "nature appreciation" events, such as forest walks, where they explore the abundant diversity that surrounds us in Campbell River. In his free time, Kyle is an avid birder. He is a Certified Teacher and has a degree in Biology, which inform his practice working at Greenways.
GILBERT, CATHERINE
Catherine Marie Gilbert is an award-winning Vancouver Island author, historian, who teaches Canadian History sessionally at NIC. Published work includes two books--Yorke Island and the Uncertain War, defending Canada’s western coast during WWII, and A Journey Back to Nature, a history of Strathcona Provincial Park--and numerous articles. She was featured on Canada Over the Edge in 2012 and CHEK News’ ‘Inspiring Island Women’ in 2023.
GILLIES, JOAN
Joan Gillies has lived in the Comox Valley for over 30 years. Semi-retired Veterinarian. Chair of Regenerate BC, an organization dedicated to educating the public about climate solutions and taking action. Volunteers locally with the Sustainability Action Group for the Environment. (SAGE)
GROAT, JEFF
Jeff Groat is the Outreach & Food Security Coordinator at Greenways Land Trust. He leads volunteers on the backyard Fruit Tree Gleaning project, the Strathcona Good Food Box program, Community Gardens, and other Food Security work. He also coordinates outreach via social media, a monthly newsletter, and in various community events around Campbell River. Jeff studied Journalism at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he learned skills effectively communicating with an audience.
HALL, TOM
Since 2019, Tom has been mentored by GreenWays Land Trust at a fish bearing creek in designing, planning and restoring the natural habitat. His volunteer work involves controlling invasive growth and using effective methods to care for plants in a complex, and challenging environment. Every year he develops or simplifies methods to match his physical ability. He says, "I wish to show other interested seniors the many ways they could volunteer to accomplish small goals and make a significant difference.
HARRIS, JIM
Jim retired in 2000 and has spent time as a volunteer on various projects. He is a member of the Daybreak Rotary Club, which initiated building the Maritime Heritage Centre and the acquisition of the BCP 45 Seiner.
JAY, LINDA
Linda Jay is a retired instructor from NIC's School of Business. She has spent two decades in Campbell River, and continues to study community economic development and cases of social innovation.
KENNEDY, TOM
Tom was a teacher for 36 years in SD#72, England, Jakarta and Qatar. Since 2016 he has worked for the Museum at Campbell River at the Hydro Discovery Centre at Elk Falls.
MacLEOD, HEATHER
Heather's father lived with Dementia, which motivated her to learn all she could about supporting people living with Dementia. Her training as an End-of-Life Doula, a Positive Approach to Care Trainer and Consultant, providing community classes, as well as working in Residential homes, has given her insight into sharing these amazing skills and tools with care partners and teams.
MAIRS, ERIK
Erik is an experienced educator, world traveller and ElderCollege presenter.
NAISH, MIKE
Michael Naish has lived & worked in the Comox Valley and Campbell River for more than 50 years. Until he retired, he had never travelled outside BC. Remembering the stories about Colditz he'd heard when he was a child, he fulfilled a lifelong dream and briefly visited Colditz in 2013, and again for longer in 2015.
REEKS, CAL
Cal graduated from the Online Trading Academy - an extensive course taught in a classroom by qualified instructors. He has been trading at home for about 18 years and has taught this course several times over the years in Nelson BC and Campbell River BC.
ROUNDS, MICHELE
Michele has been stitching Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery since 2000, and teaching it for 14 years. She's certified to teach in Canada and the US and is an international award winner for her own designs.
SAMARODEN, WENDY
Wendy has worked for North Island College as a Regional Training Officer, scheduling programs, developing curriculum, providing student support, implementing provincially funded programs, and as acting Curriculum Chair for ElderCollege. She holds a Provincial Instructors Diploma and has taught several courses for ElderCollege.
SHEROW, BONNIE
Bonnie Sherow, PhD, is a retired professor of U.S. and Canadian history. Born and raised in a border town, she worked with Parks Canada historic site at Fort Amherstburg. In 1998, she was appointed as a specialist in North American Indigenous and environmental history at Kansas State University, and taught about the differences between Canada and the United States. She was awarded a Canadian Embassy grant in 2005.
SMITH, CATHY & GORD
We had traveled in the past - Cathy's 2 years working in Ghana and backpacking for 6 months around the world; Gord traveling to Spain and Portugal. Our honeymoon was spent in Hong Kong and Thailand. After working for years as a Med. Lab. Tech (Cathy) and a Co-Op General Manager (Gord), we decided to start our second careers by working as English teachers in China. That was the beginning of our 10 year adventure in China.
SMITH, JOAN
Joan went to Australia in 1967 with her parents on holidays, but stayed 2 1/2 years teaching and travelling. She has returned 6 times, usually for 3 months, and has travelled throughout the country.
STEELE, JULIA
Julia is a retired nurse with 41 years of experience. Her interest in palliative care developed while she was working in long term care, and she felt blessed to round out her career working with the palliative and end of life program. She writes: "Having cared for my mom at the end of her life provided me an even deeper appreciation for families on this journey."
STINSON, CHERYL
Cheryl Stinson has worked with seniors for over 9 years in the Comox Valley and Campbell River. Her work has included facilitating a Dementia Awareness planning project and an Emergency Response for Seniors Project. Currently, she is the contracted local coordinator for the Campbell River Community Response Network (CRN) which works with community partners to help keep vulnerable adults safe from abuse, neglect and self-neglect.
TAYLOR, MARLENE
Marlene is a retired educator, social worker and school counselor. She is hearing impaired and has been wearing hearing aids for 50+ years. She has also worked with hearing impaired clients at a school for the deaf, and at an agency with hearing impaired clients.
WAGNER, GEORGE
George is a retired Mechanical Engineer who enjoys the active lifestyle of Vancouver Island. He volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and loves to travel off the beaten path.
WILLIAMS, MARY CATHERINE
For 25 years Mary Catherine Williams has been involved in community development in Campbell River. Her work has included: Early Years and Child Development, Substance Use and Resilient Community, Volunteering, and Senior Supports. In recent years, she has worked with others to help develop services and supports to help people as they age in our community. Currently, she is a member of the Strathcona Community Health Network and the Co-chair of the Campbell River Seniors’ Network.
