Order of Canada inductees saluted for their advocacy

Mental Health crusader Austin Mardon, former judge Hon. Kenneth Moore honoured

Austin Mardon

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

A person with a mental illness can still excel," maintains Austin Mardon. And he is living proof of it.

Since diagnosed with schizophrenia 15 years ago, the former Antarctic explorer with NASA has received three notable decorations, including the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.

On Feb. 20, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean announced another important distinction for Mardon when she said the 44-year-old man will be inducted into the Order of Canada in recognition of his tireless efforts to raise public awareness about schizophrenia.

A gift of hope

"I feel very humbled and honoured by this (recognition)," Mardon said March 15. "I see this as a gift to those 300,000 Canadians with schizophrenia. In a small way this may give them some hope."

Mardon and the Honorable Kenneth Moore of Calgary are the only two prominent Alberta Catholics appointed to the Order of Canada this year out of 87 appointees.

Born in Edmonton in 1962, Mardon, a member of St. Alphonsus Parish, is the holder of several degrees, including a master of education from Texas A&M University and a doctorate in geography from Greenwich University, Australia, in 2000. He is the author of more than 40 books and 130 scholarly publications. His works have dealt with such diverse areas as astronomy, Alberta history and Antarctic research. He explored the Antarctica as part of the United States NASA/NSF-sponsored Antarctic Meteorite Recovery Expedition in 1986, investigating meteorite impacts.

Mardon was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1992, at the age of 30. Since then, in addition to continuing his academic work, he has worked tirelessly to help other Albertans with schizophrenia and mental illness. In 1993 he co-founded Prosper Place Club House for people with mental illness.

He has also served on the board of directors of Unsung Heroes, an Edmonton self-support group for people with schizophrenia, and on both the Edmonton and Alberta chapters of the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta.

Honorable Kenneth Moore

A member of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities for many years, Mardon is currently chair of Champions Centre, a Christian interdenominational society dedicated to providing permanent housing for homeless people with mental disabilities. "I always feel I'm not doing enough, but I have to limit myself," said Mardon, who will be invested into the order in October.

Appointing Mardon to the Order of Canada "is very appropriate because he has distinguished himself in the academic field and now as a person who cares and who is reaching out to help others," said John MacDonald, an archdiocesan official who serves with Mardon on the board of Champions Centre.

A valiant man

"He has responded to schizophrenia very courageously and is doing everything he can to work for people with disabilities. He is a man who has refused to be curtailed by major obstacles like schizophrenia, which could be incredibly debilitating."

Moore, who was appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his outstanding achievement and service in the area of law, is a native Calgarian who has had a remarkable career as a lawyer, chief justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta and currently as counsel to the Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer law firm.

"If you stumble along through life sometimes nice things happen to you," Moore, 81, said of his appointment.

"I guess it means that I've been recognized for my life as a judge and things I've done, I guess, in the community. I was a judge for nearly 29 years in the Queen's Bench and chief justice for nearly 17."

Over the years Moore has also served in many professional and community associations, including the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, the Federation of Community Associations, the Calgary Family Service Bureau, the Calgary Booster Club and the Calgary Council Boy Scouts Association. From 2000 to 2005 he served on the board of governors of St. Mary's Catholic University College.

Deep faith

An active member of St. Anthony Parish, where he and his wife Audrey raised their seven children, Moore is a man of deep faith.

"If you've got a deep faith, you don't have other problems," he quipped. "Your faith dictates your everyday actions."

Moore received his law degree from the University of Alberta in 1952 and practised law in Calgary until he was named Queen's Counsel in 1967. In 1972 he was appointed justice of the Supreme Court of Alberta, appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada seven times between 1964-71.

A renowned sportsman, Moore was inducted into the University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame in 1988. His sporting career began with the West End Tornado Junior Football team in 1945 and included stints with the U of A Golden Bears, Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders.

Like Mardon, Moore is also a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

"I think Mr. Moore's presence in the Order of Canada enhances the order," said Terrence Downey, president of St. Mary's College. "He is a very respected Catholic whose contributions to this city have gone well beyond the professional (realm). He is very much involved in the life of his city and his community."

Moore "was wonderful" on the board of St. Mary's College and is still a source of inspiration and wise counsel for Downey as college president. "His appointment to the Order of Canada is very much deserved," he said.

Moore will be invested into the order in early May.

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