Islands Trust News Release—Chair Resigns

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Peter Luckham, Islands Trust Council Chair, announced today that he will step down as Chair and member of the Islands Trust Executive Committee effective March 11, 2025.

First elected in 2005, Luckham is in his fifth consecutive term as trustee and his third term as Islands Trust Chair. He will continue to serve as a trustee for the Thetis Island Local Trust Area.

“It has always been an honour to serve as Chair and help guide the important work of Islands Trust with my colleagues on Trust Council,” said Luckham. “After careful consideration and for personal reasons, I have decided to step down as Chair. I extend my thanks to all trustees who have worked with me to represent their communities and advance the preserve and protect mandate. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with trustees and staff through the balance of this term of office and wish my successor all the best.”

The role of the Islands Trust Chair is to provide leadership for Islands Trust Council and the Islands Trust Executive Committee as set out in applicable legislation, bylaws, policies and resolutions, and to act as the organization’s primary spokesperson.

Islands Trust Council will elect a new Chair from among its members at the start of its next quarterly meeting on March 11, 2025. Within a few days of the election of the new Chair there will be a review of Executive Committee member appointments to local trust committees, and any changes will be communicated to the public.

Islands Trust is a special-purpose government representing over 30,000 people living within the Islands Trust Area and 10,000 non-resident property owners. The Islands Trust Area is located within Coast Salish territory and is the homeland to many Coast Salish Peoples who have called this place home since time immemorial. Islands Trust is responsible for preserving and protecting the Islands Trust Area and its unique amenities and environment through conservation-oriented land use planning and regulation, education, and cooperation with First Nations and other agencies. The Islands Trust Area covers the islands and waters between the British Columbia mainland and southern Vancouver Island. It includes 13 major islands and more than 450 smaller islands covering 5,200 square kilometres.

Contact:

Peter Luckham, Chair, Islands Trust Council – 250.210.2553

Rueben Bronee, Chief Administrative Officer, Islands Trust via Communications Specialist – 250.405.5197

Huge Thank You’s To:

The incredible group of people that got together to make a wonderful birthday tea party for me. What a fabulous cake and so much of it, delightful sandwiches and so many other sweet treats. Thank you to Gurk, Theresa and Alice for taking care of the tea, coffee, pop and beverage station.

Thank you, Eleanor for the flowers and beautiful corsage. Many thanks to Nan, Jutta, Bill G, The Duff Family, Carl, Nettie and Vickie for helping out in many different ways, and to Tricia and Ernie for keeping the electronics firing.

To the fabulous team of Petra, Michelle S., Michelle B., Gloria, Helen, Eleanor and Virginia my deepest appreciation and thanks for everything, You were the ones that picked up the ball, ran with it, and made it all happen so successfully. I love you all.

Thank you, Thetis Islanders for coming and making my day so happy. If I have left anyone off my list of thank you’s, my apologies--you are appreciated as much as anyone else.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
Shirley

Message from the Chair of Trust Council

Thetis Island, friends and neighbours,

I would like to personally let you all know that after careful consideration I have decided to step down as the Chair for Islands Trust. I will be continuing as your elected representative at Trust Council alongside Ken Hunter. My decision is for personal reasons and to provide the opportunity for Islands Trust to carry on under new leadership. There will be a public announcement later today.

I wish Council and Staff all the best for the remaining 20 months of the term.

I am not retiring just yet, as I will be returning to my work in computer systems for at least another couple of years.

I want to thank all of you who have supported me all these years as your local representative and as Chair of Council. Particular thanks go to Sue French, Doug Fenton and Ken Hunter who have worked alongside me locally and at Council.

After almost 20 years working for the Trust, 14 of them as chair, it is time for me to move on.

All the best to everyone for 2025, you can continue to reach out to me on local issues.

Peter Luckham

8-Week Yoga & Meditation Series

Join us for a unique 8 Week Yoga & Meditation Series, exploring Kundalini Yoga, Restorative Hatha Yoga and Meditation with sound therapy immersion. Jess and Heather are both dedicated and trained instructors and will gently guide you back to yourself - promoting balance and bliss in the process.

This class is suitable for all levels.

Dates: Every Friday from March 7 - April 25
Time: 6 - 7:30pm
Where: Forbes Hall
Investment: $144/8 weeks
Drop in: $23/session (space permitting)

For all the details and to reserve your spot, please connect with us!

If the investment is a barrier to attending, please connect with us and we will see how we can best support you.

Wisewillowpress.com/8weekyogaseries

Info@wisewillowcollective.com

Headband Found

Brown knit headband with a whale on it found on Porlier Rd.

Britt

Britt.espe@gmail.com

Why We Need TIRRA...

e-Spokes must be one of the most used and appreciated services TIRRA provides. WHAT a brilliant idea it was! 

Long-time islanders will remember back to the days of the phone wheel. If you needed everyone to know about something, you would call the chair of that committee. They would have a list of, say, 10 people to call, who would each have their own list to call, so that eventually, maybe, as many people who were there to answer the phone would know that something was happening. It was a way of turning out help quickly or reaching part-timers.

The alternative was to type something up and put it in all the mailboxes. As the internet became more widely used, former islander Lon Wood came up with the idea of an electronic version. eSpokes was the name because it was "spokes" of the original phone "wheel". 

The newsletter is such an integral part of Thetis Island life that losing it is almost unthinkable! At the moment there are three people doing the job, each taking a month "on" and two months "off", but trading with each other when needed. New volunteers are always welcome - it just spreads the joy around.

(another in the series of short notes on what TIRRA does for us all, and why we need it)

Thank you for reading,

TIRRA Executive Board

The Equestrian Career of Shirley Burr

As posted yesterday, Sunday was Shirley’s 90th birthday.

For those interested to learn more about her amazing life you can read about it here: 

https://www.michellemerlindt.com/single-post/the-equestrian-career-of-miss-shirley-burr 

Thanks,

Michelle S.

Penelakut Fire Victims Donations

If you were still thinking about donating cash, a cheque or Walmart gift cards to the Penelakut fire victims, the TIVFD will be taking donations up until Wednesday and hand delivering them on Thursday. Drop off your envelope at the Post Office with TIVFD and Penelakut Donation on the front.

Thank you.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept

BC Ferries Engagement Series Information from BC Ferries FB Page

Help shape the future of engagement with BC Ferries. We’re looking for your input as we aim to design an inclusive engagement framework that reflects the diverse needs of coastal regions and ferry users throughout the province.

Take our survey    https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/letsconnect?tool=survey_tool#tool_tab

Takes just 10 minutes.

Open until March 18

Learn more and have your say https://ow.ly/jG1550UTAok

Starting this week (Feb. 4), we are hosting a series of in-person sessions at terminals, on vessels and in communities as well as moderated online discussions and polls to gather further insights.

Your feedback and input will directly inform the new framework, which is set to launch in early May 2025.

Attend an in-person pop up: https://ow.ly/4EnP50UTAqp

Press release: https://ow.ly/2x2750UTAtc

BC Ferries Let’s Connect

Community Pup Up Information Booth:

https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/letsconnect/widgets/195937/key_dates#58683

scroll down to Chemainus-Thetis-Penelakut

Shirley Burr’s 90th Birthday Tea Today at Forbes Hall from 2pm until 4pm

Dear Thetis Islanders,

You are invited to join us for a very special 90th Birthday celebration.

If you wish to contribute a plate of sweets or " dainties" text or call Petra at 250 246-0735.

Cards are welcome but please, no gifts.

Many thanks.

Soup’s On: Wednesday, February 12, 11:30am - 1:00pm

Gather at Forbes Hall for a very Thetis Island lunch...

Beef Chilli
Vegetarian Chili
Garlic Bread
Treats, Teas and Coffee

Suggested donation of $7 for soup, bread, treats, teas & coffee.

For those who find large groups challenging, enjoy your lunch in our designated quiet room, the Library.

Everyone is welcome to join us: seniors, seniors who don’t think they’re seniors, workers, families, and everyone who just wants a mid-day meal!

Menu remainders for take-out when available.
Soup’s On also supports the Thetis Island Food Pantry.
Coupon Booklets of 10 for your convenience, $70.00

The Soup’s On Team