Governor General’s Curling Club honours past and supports the future at 150th anniversary celebration

A century and a half of curling’s history was celebrated Monday evening at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club. The Governor General’s Curling Club celebrated its 150th anniversary by honouring those who have made significant contributions to the sport in Canada while also pledging its support to the next generation of the sport’s leaders. 

The dinner and 2024 induction ceremony kicked off the club’s annual Safari, an extended weekend of various activities for the members who gather from across the country.

This year’s event was nearly double the usual attendance to celebrate the 150th milestone. Ottawa was a fitting host as it is where the club originated in 1874 when Lord Dufferin, Canada’s Governor General at the time, founded the club. Once a physical facility where Dufferin would play the game with his staff, the club has transitioned into an honourary society to recognize curlers, builders of the sport and administrators who have contributed to the game locally, provincially and nationally.

While the prestigious club honours curling’s past, it also has sights set on its future. Since 2021, the club has made financial contributions to Curling Canada’s scholarship programs through donations from its membership, totalling $12,500 awarded to five deserving recipients and counting.

The Club selects a recipient annually and honours them at the annual dinner. This year, the Governor General’s Curling Club selected and honoured two deserving young candidates: For the Love of Curling Scholarship recipient Amber Gargul and Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship recipient Nathan Poklar. 

Gargul received a For the Love of Curling Scholarship to balance her academic success with her on-ice goals as a competitor. Poklar earned an inaugural Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship to assist in his educational goals and commitment to volunteerism and community leadership through the sport.

Both young leaders took to the podium to address the club, express their passion for the game and of the honour to receive the scholarships in front of some of their curling idols and role models in the room. Gargul and Poklar are two of 20 young curlers who received Curling Canada youth scholarships earlier this month.

Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen was the evening’s keynote speaker. Thiessen, named Curling Canada’s new CEO earlier this year, spoke about the sport’s growth and vision for the organization’s future.

Thiessen showcased how Curling Canada continues to drive the sport forward through youth engagement and development, displayed this past season when the organization delivered over 79,000 new curling experiences at Season of Champions events through community outreach and programs to welcome new individuals to the sport. 

The Governor General’s Curling Club inducted 10 new members into its organization. The club continues to honour the many people who have made curling a large part of their lives, and this year’s class was no exception. From world champions to local organizers and competitors, each individual played a crucial role in growing the sport and exemplifying the game’s values.

2024 Governor General’s Curling Club inductees:

• John DiLabio – Ontario
• Guy Hemmings – Quebec
• Amber Holland – Saskatchewan
• Mark Ideson – Ontario
• Jennifer Jones – Manitoba
• Fred Koe – Yukon
• Wendy Morgan – Ontario
• Brian Ross – Quebec
• David Stanley – Ontario
• Linda Wagner – Alberta

For full details on the inductees, click here.

Fredericton will host the Governor General’s Curling Club’s next annual Safari in 2025.