March 27, 2025

Community leaders honoured at Agnes Macphail birthday event

BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — On Sunday, March 23, the Friends of the Museum paid homage to Agnes Campbell Macphail — the first Canadian woman to be elected MP and brought national and international recognition to Grey County. Geoff Bowes MC'd the event and Brenda Dimoff provided music for the celebration held at the Annesley United Church in Markdale.

This year’s Macphail tribute program also featured Grace Marshall’s illustrated presentation on the late, much beloved Dr. Annemarie Doenne (1923-2010) of the Bootjack Ranch Road, near Priceville. Taken from her book, Everybody Calls Me "DOC," her life was chronicled in pictures, from growing up in Germany during the rise of Hitler, surviving WWII, becoming a medical doctor, to immigrating to Canada.

Two exceptional local women, Colleen Boer and Lynn Silverton, were honoured during the program for their outstanding community involvement.

Bruce Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff and MPP Paul Vickers brought greetings from the federal and provincial levels of government. In addition, Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs and Southgate Mayor Brian Milne praised MacPhail and how she pioneered an important voice for women in Canadian politics. Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen wrapped up the afternoon with a message from the Municipality of Grey Highlands.

Coffee and tea were available following the presentations, courtesy of Highland Grounds.

 

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