One of our own is set to be awarded the newly minted King Charles the III Coronation medal Tuesday night at the Alberta Beach Town Council Meeting. Alberta Beach Councillor Tara Elwood was nominated for the medal via Yellowhead MP Gerald Soroka’s representation of the program as part of being a Member of the Canadian Parliament.
The award is a commemorative medal created to mark the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which took place on 6 May 2023 and is in recognition of outstanding community service by citizens of the British Commonwealth. Australia, New Zealand and Canada were chosen to participate in the recognition program along with citizens of Britain. The medal celebrates and recognizes the contribution of individuals who have provided outstanding service to their community.
In determining Elwood’s eligibility, it was noted her work preserving and promoting the heritage of Alberta Beach as well as her involvement in the ‘A Bridge Between Nations ‘ project was part of her nomination. Specifically this project works to strengthen community recognition of the importance of Aboriginal heritage in the Lac Ste Anne area.
Additionally, her advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and an ongoing commitment to honoring and supporting Canadian veterans were cited as reasons for her being selected to receive the medal.
The ceremony will be part of Tuesday’s Alberta Beach Council meeting which begins at 7 Pm.
About the King Charles III Coronation Medal
The Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation. The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General is responsible for administering the King Charles III Coronation Medal program.
The Canadian Heraldic Authority designed the medal, which was approved by The King. The medal is manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Coronation Medal is the first Canadian honour to feature the Canadian Royal Crown approved by His Majesty The King, as part of its design.
The front side of the medal (obverse) features a crowned image of His Majesty King Charles III wearing coronation robes. Around the effigy appears the text, “CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX” (Charles III, by the Grace of God, the King) and “CANADA.” The reverse of the medal portrays the Royal Cypher (the monogram surmounted by the Canadian Royal Crown), over the sunburst design of the Canadian Coronation emblem.
The date of the Coronation is inscribed on the left side of the medal. “VIVAT REX,” meaning “long live The King,” is inscribed on the right side. The medal is attached to a ribbon using an arrangement of dark blue, bright red and white, identical to the United Kingdom’s Coronation Medal ribbon.
