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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 18, 2007 - 29 Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2007 Order of Canada appointment hits high note with Cochrane Continued from page 1 SABRINA BYRNES / OAKVILLE BEAVER HONOURED: Tom Cochrane, who has called Oakville his home since, 1985, was recently honoured with an appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada. mini-tour, which includes stops in Québec, Denver and Calgary. This year is the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Order of Canada ­ the country's highest civilian honour. One of 71 Canadians appointed this year by Governor General Michaelle Jean, Cochrane is honoured with an Officer designation. It recognizes a lifetime of achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada or humanity at large. He's certainly fit the bill there. A six-time Juno Award winner, Cochrane has been recognized as Canada's songwriter and vocalist of the year, as well as earning recognition for various albums and singles. Both as a solo artist and with his group Red Rider in the earlier years, Cochrane has released 18 albums since his 1974 debut, Hang on to Your Resistance. Currently touring his recentlyreleased record, No Stranger, the singer/songwriter says he has plans to release an acoustic album at a later date. "I'd like to think that first and foremost, my music career has been a very good one, a very gratifying one for me, my family, and my fans and friends," he said of the reasons for his appointment to the Order. "I'm very privileged to be doing what I love for a living." But he's not only being recognized "When I was starting out, back in the `70s, to me the Order of Canada was such a big deal, and it was an inspiration to me." Tom Cochrane for what he's done musically. Cochrane has done an incredible amount of humanitarian work. This includes raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, and spearheading a telethon that raised more than $4 million for survivors of the December 2005 tsunami. He's also a spokesperson for World Vision and the Make Poverty History Campaign, and has been on six humanitarian trips to various parts of Africa, with plans for a seventh in December. "Using your career for positive good in other areas, I would think is probably one of those things that factors into it," he added of his appointment. When it comes to honours he's received over the course of his career, Cochrane says this latest news is "right up there" with his 2003 induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. "With the Order, to get the same relative kind of honour as people that I admire so intensely, like Lester Pearson or Trudeau, or Gordon Lightfoot, that's why it's so hum- bling," he said. Cochrane, who has called Oakville home since 1985, got the news of his appointment from his daughter, Cody. "She wanted to be the one to tell me, which was really special, because she just got back from Scotland," he said, where she had been working for two years. "Half way through dinner, she pulls out this letter, or e-mail. She read it to me, and I was just dumbfounded." Joining him this year as 2007 Order of Canada appointees, who will be recognized at a ceremony at a later date, are former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and former Reform Party Leader Preston Manning. Those appointed must first be nominated by several sources, and it's a lengthy process. Cochrane said the support from family, fans and friends in and around Oakville has been "very humbling." Early in his career, he remembers looking up to various Canadians appointed to the Order. "When I was starting out, back in the '70s, to me the Order of Canada was such a big deal, and it was an inspiration to me," he said. "It's something that I think galvanizes the cultural focus of Canadians. "I stayed in Canada when it would have been easy to leave," he added. "I've always considered myself a very proud Canadian." www.oakvillebeaver.com Shakespeare to the shoreline Travel along the Taste Trek You'll find an abundant array of tasty delights to take home. Visit our web- site to find a crosscounty selection of specialty food shops. New for 2007 Five new tour routes! Details online. United Way of Oakville is seeking volunteers interested in reviewing funding applications received from community agencies. The review process will take place in January and February 2008. Interested individuals must live or work in Oakville. Knowledge of the social service sector is preferred. Please submit a cover letter and resume to robin@uwoakville.org. United Way of Oakville 466 Speers Rd, Suite 200 Oakville ON L6K 3W9 (905) 845-5571 www.uwoakville.org Travel routes to tempt you farther: · Antiques & Collectibles · Artisans & Art Galleries · Farm Markets · Gardens & Gardeners' Dreams · Historic Stops & Attractions · Live Theatre & Performances · Nature Walks · Dining Choices · Accommodation Options 1.800.280.7637 Tourism Goderich 1.800.561.SWAN Tourism Stratford www.shakespearetotheshoreline.ca