AMHERST – Amherst honoured a longtime community volunteer and former deputy mayor on Monday by presenting him the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Roy Maltby was presented the medal by Mayor Robert Small and members of town council during a ceremony honouring his community service.
“I was really surprised by it, I really wasn’t expecting it,” Maltby said of the award. “I really appreciate the thought that was put behind it by the mayor and council. It’s certainly well received by myself and my family.”
The medal was created earlier this year to mark the 60th anniversary of the queen’s accession to the throne. It’s a tangile way for Canada to honour contributions and achievements made by Canadians.
Maltby served as a town councillor between 1994 and 2004 and was active for many years with the town’s youth and sports community. He played a strong role in the development of minor hockey in the former Amherst and Area Minor Hockey Association and the Cumberland County Minor Hockey Association.
He also played a prominent role in the creation of the Fundy Hockey School that will celebrate its 30th anniversary next fall.
Maltby also played a key role in forming the Bluenose Minor Hockey. He was president of the Amherst Junior Ramblers from 1973-76, an executive member with the Metro Valley Junior Hockey League and a founding member of the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
“I’ve always had an interest in the young people of the community,” he said. “I just wanted to help out in anyway I could.”
Maltby is also active with the Amherst First Baptist Church.
“Roy is an active supporter of all facets of the community and can be seen participating in everything from community meetings to fundraising breakfasts, to festivals and events,” Small said. “He continues to be an advocate for many causes that impact our residents and will actively participate in public meetings relating to planning, zoning or new investment in the town.”
During his three terms on town council, Maltby chaired the Operational Services and Leisure Services committees and was council liaison to the Community Economic Development and Operational Services departments.
He served on the planning advisory North Tyndal Wellfield advisory, protectice services, unsightly premises and heritage advisory committees, and was active on a variety of external committees including the Cumberland District Planning Commission, Highland View Regional Hospital board, Northern Regional Solid Waste Committee, DARS and CREDA.
Maltby was also honoured several years ago by the Amherst Rotary Club with its Paul Harris Fellowship Community Award.
dcole@amherstdaily.com
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