Awards

 

J. Aiden Hennebury, for whom the Hennebury Award is named, was the essence of who a Liberal Party volunteer should be. Married to Isabelle Ashley, Aiden was a devoted husband and father to his two children, Beth and Mark.  Educated at St. Bonaventure’s College in St. John’s, he went on to St. Mary’s University in Halifax and eventually to Dalhousie University in Halifax, graduating with his law degree.  He articled with the firm of Halley, Hickman, Hunt and worked there for a number of years before he, Dave Martin and Norm Whelan started their own firm.

The test of dedication to a political party comes not in the sunshine days of holding office, but in the stamina, intensity and resolve necessary to hold on and preserve in the dog days of opposition.  To those who did not know Aiden, his natural reticence might have obscured the presence of these qualities.  However, just as they shone through in the last days and weeks of his life, they were manifested throughout his life in his willingness to contribute to the party on whatever scale occasion demanded or in whatever role he felt would be of use.

Serving two terms as Vice-President of the Liberal Association of Newfoundland  and Labrador, Aiden carried the Liberal banner in the 1980 federal election against John Crosbie in St. John’s West, but his real love and interest was in organizing and campaign management.

Dark days in opposition during the 70’s and 80’s when just a handful of dedicated Liberals throughout the province worked tirelessly to keep this party together.  They tried to raise funds when few were eager to contribute, to convince good people to carry the Liberal banner when the possibility of success was about as likely as floating a rock, to organize and run hard campaigns against impossible odds, to keep the party ready and poised when the time came for them to form the provincial government.  All these efforts paid off when a small group of dedicated Liberals led by Aiden, convinced Clyde Wells to come back and lead the party.

Aiden worked long, hard, honestly and well.  He had a lot of fun with the Liberal Party.

J. Aiden Hennebury passed away on July 29, 1988, but will live forever in the Liberal Party volunteers.

Hennebury Award Winners

2009
Matthew Pike
Ms. Greta Lynch

2007
Mr. Gerald Thompson

2005
Mrs. Frances (Fanny) Kealey
Mr. Peter Lush

2003
Mr. Ralph Hollett
Mrs. Noreen Saunders

2002
Ms. Bernice Buckle
Mr. Maurice Budgell

2000
Mrs. Vera Barbour
Mrs. Hettie Higdo
Mr. Lloyd Thompson
Mr. Clayton LeDrew
Mr. Ray Pollett
Mr. Vera Collett
Mr. Ruby Durno
Ms. Marie Rumbolt
Mrs. Florence Parsons
Mr. Agatha Tobin
Mr. J. Leslie Bruce (deceased)
Mr. William (Bill) Callahan
Mr. Eric Dawe

1999
Mr. Dave Powell (deceased)
Mr. Mac Bradley

1998
Mrs. Mildred Glynn

1997
Mr. Bren Kelly

1996
Ms. Kay Norris
Mr. Gordon Manstan

1995
Mr. Jim Parrott
Mr. Art Noseworthy (deceased)

1994
Ms. Carol McDonald
Sen. Raymond Squires

1993
Ms. Mary Follett
Mr. Joseph Dohey (deceased)

1992
Ms. Lily Burden
Mr. Stanley Legge (deceased)

1991
Mr. Joseph Butt
Mr. Randolph Emberley

1990
Mr. Philip McCann (deceased)
Ms. Cora Duffett

1989
Mr. Joe Ashley, Sr. (deceased)
Sen. Joan Cook
Mr. Walter Elliott (deceased)
Mr. Jack McCarthy
Ms. Evelyn Pollett
Ms. Mary Snow
Ms. Verona Woodford