About The Royal Canadian Geographical Society

College of Fellows Dinner 2008

Newly elected Fellows include (from left): Paul Taillon, Maurice Richard, André Préfontaine, Bruce Mitchell, Helaine Oleski, Anne Smith- Mansfield, Daniel MacKay, Carman Joynt, Dale Gregory, Al Friesen, Michèle Fréchet, Brad Faught, Paul Cosulich and Wayne Andrew. (Photo: David Barbour)

Weather mania
Nearly 80 years after The Royal Canadian Geographical Society hosted its first Annual General Meeting at Ottawa’s Château Laurier, the RCGS returned to the historic hotel for its College of Fellows dinner in November. Environment Canada’s senior climatologist David Phillips entertained more than 200 guests with stories about our national obsession with weather, concluding wryly that “the Brits have the Royals, the Americans have Hollywood, and we have the weather.”

Massey and Camsell medallists were honoured at the event.

Krista Nicholds, director and co-owner of Dollco Printing (at right), presents RCGS President Gisèle Jacob with a cheque for $30,000 raised at the dinner by Fellows and sponsors. (Photo: David Barbour)

University of Waterloo professor Bruce Mitchell holds his Massey Medal with gloved hands to avoid marring its gold surface. Mitchell received the award for his contribution to water management. (Photo: David Barbour)

Guest speaker David Phillips. (Photo: David Barbour)

RCGS grant recipient Alana Ramsay spoke about her research at the Annual General Meeting. (Photo: David Barbour)

Wayne Andrew and David Clow place bids at the auction table. (Photo: David Barbour)