Current PATRON

The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, kindly agreed to be our Patron in June 2019. We are so fortunate to have a second Lieutenant Governor as our Patron and it is our great privilege to welcome Her Honour to the Loon Foundation.

The Honourable Janet Austin was sworn in as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia on April 24, 2018. She had spent the 15 years prior working as the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Metro Vancouver, overseeing operations at more than 40 locations. Prior to joining to YWCA, Her Honour worked with BC Housing and served as the Executive Director of Big Sister of BC Lower Mainland. Her Honour was invested as a Member of the Order of British Columbia in 2016 and has served as Chancellor of the Order during her term as Lieutenant Governor. She holds an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and is a University of Calgary English graduate. In line with her commitment to helping others, Her Honour has actively volunteered for a large number of organizations.

Our Patron already has a soft-spot for the Sunshine Coast and we hope that she will become a frequent visitor to these shores where she can happily walk her Vice-Regal Canine Consort, a lovely West Highland Terrier named 'MacDuff'.

Former Patron

The Honourable Judith Guichon, the 29th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, acted as our Patron from August 2015 until her end of term in April 2018. During her patronage she paid several visits to the Sunshine Coast to meet with our Board members and discuss our operations and progress. In 2017 she hosted the Stewards of the Future Conference on the Sunshine Coast and brought all 120 youth representatives to the Iris & Billy Griffith Nature Centre for a visit and tour.