IN MEMORIUM

Ivan Lackey (pictured on the right) was lost to us on November 12, 2024. What can we say about our Gentle Giant Ivan.  In the words of his obituary, a farmer all his life, he worked with his dad on the family farm as well as custom silo filling and hay harvesting, taking over  the farm in 2000.  An avid supporter of the Wallacetown Fair, he was often “voluntold” as he called it, helping whenever and wherever he  could. Ivan could be found in the Sheep Barn making pens, cleaning out the debris from the show, travelling around the fairgrounds in his Kubota moving bleachers, scraping down the cattle barns and even lifting a couple people up on the bucket to put up signs. 

We couldn’t have done it without him and will miss that bellowing voice come fair time. One of the true gems in our community.  Thank you Ivan for all that you did for us.  

Helen Van Brenk (pictured on the right) was lost to us October 9, 2024.

Helen was our local historian and was community minded from the minute she stepped foot in Canada from Australia.  She was instrumental in bringing soccer to the fields of the fairgrounds in conjunction with the Wallacetown Optimist Club.  Helen was a past Director and Chaired the Pet Show for years.  She was a permanent fixture at the fair, whether watching a gate on her trusty lawn chair, helping out with meals for the fair luncheon, snapping pics for records, and hosting fairboard parties. 

 Good on ya Helen for making the fairboard meetings fun and for looking after us all after an especially long weekend.  Thank you for your service.   

.IN MEMORIUM 

We are saddened with the loss of our members of the society.

Joe Mylrea ( pictured on the right) was lost to us in November 2019 after his battle with Cancer. Joe was a Past President of the Wallacetown Agricultural Society, Chair Head of the Roots and Grains Committee, Wine Committee, Archery Tournament, Beer Tent and worked tirelessly all weekend at the fair. He could be found in the Mud Bog Pits, on the stage using his humour to enlighten the grandstand crowds, helping out the ladies in the General Exhibits Building, measuring distances at the Tractor Pull, weighing giant pumpkins and in the field in the spring and fall crop touring with our judges. Thank you Joe for your committment to the fair. We will miss you come October.

A tree has been planted in Joe’s honour.

Don ” Breezy” Campbell ( pictured on the right) was lost to us in April 2020 due to Covid – 19. Breezy was a very active member of our community and served on the Wallacetown Agricultural Society as a Past President, Sheep Show and later in the Lions Booth serving up fries all weekend! Breezy was a past Reeve of Dutton and left a foundation of young farmers in the surrounding area as his legacy. We will miss his personality, his comradery and his guidance.

A bench has been made to honour Breezy. Look for it ” to set a while” and get to know your neighbour.

Stan Duncanson ( pictured on the right) was lost to us on August 25, 2020.  

Stan was a past president of Wallacetown Agricultural Society and past president of the Ontario  Association of Agricultural Societies and organized and called the races for many years at the local Fairs. He was very involved in the Community for many years. His commitment to promoting agricultural awareness and guidance on the fairboard prompted the society to always further our agricultural roots.  He will be missed by many and we thank him for his service and dedication. 

Shirley E Campbell ( pictured on the right) was lost to us in 2021 at the age of 89.

Shirley was a past secretary of the Wallacetown Agricultural Society and served for many years in a small office on the fairgrounds. Her beautifully written minutes are kept and cherished. Shirley and her husband Ron were steadfast donors of the Sheep Show and gave them delight to see the show grow to what it is now. 

  
She is remembered by all for her commitment to her church and community.  Church functions at Chalmer’s United Church, Cowal, filled her free time, as well as the Wallacetown Fair Board.  If you could find her at home, she was busy either gardening, painting or quilting.  Shirley will be missed by her Fairboard Family.     
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Elaine Brown ( pictured on the right) was lost to us in 2021. 

Elaine was very active in the community and a member of many local organizations. She was a member of Knox St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church where she was an elder as well as involved in many other aspects of the church. When she retired in 1998 she joined the Trillium Foundation, The Sunshine foundation, WMS, The Heritage Society, delivered meals on wheels, helped with transportation, taught Vacation Bible School and helped out with Education days at the Backus Page House Museum. She was a member of DDOWT and participated on the Wallacetown Fair board in the Ladies Division of the General Exhibits Building. She was always so giving and had a special gift with connecting with people and always knowing just what to say. 

Thank you Elaine for your commitment and service to our community.