The Gale-Walker Award 2025 Nominations will be open from April 14-July 11. Winners of the 2025 Gale-Walker Award will be announced on September 22nd.
The Gale-Walker Community Award is for individuals demonstrating community ownership, commitment and leadership that positively impacts their neighbourhood.
This award honors the legacy of Preston Heights Community Group board members and long-time residents of the Preston Neighbourhood, Michelle Walker and the late George Gale.
For more information contact us below:
To nominate click the button below:
The Gale-Walker awards celebrates our community members taking ownership of the community and leading by example. Nominations are open to residents:
- Of all ages
- Anyone who lives in Cambridge
- Have show inspiring impact, ownership, effort and passion for the difference they hope to have within the Cambridge community
Save the date for September 22nd! Winners and nominees will be celebrated at our Annual General Meeting, awards and community dinner.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Gale-Walker Award! Scroll below to read about the nominees and winners.
Eshal has held many leadership roles within her community, from school Co-president to volunteering at a local retirement home. She has left a lasting impact within her community through initiatives such as monthly de-stress days and exam therapy dog visits and her role as Eastern Canada Chapter leader for Medicine4Youth, an organization committed to opening the doors to various medical fields for youth.
Eshal
2025 Gale-Walker Award WinnerLindsay has served as President of the Preston Public School Council for the past six years, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to both the school and community. Lindsay has coordinated numerous community-focused events and educational initiatives. She has consistently approached her role in the community with humility, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose. Her approachable demeanor and passion for education have encouraged others to get involved, resulting in increased volunteerism and stronger connections among community members.
Lindsay
2025 Gale-Walker Award WinnerBhoomi has several years of volunteering from a young age. In volunteering she has inspired peers to do the same. At school she is a member of our Student Activity Council and has been volunteering since grade five. Bhoomi has made a difference in our community by actively putting herself forward and being a face people want to see.
Bhoomi
2023 Gale-Walker Award WinnerMichelle is a kind and thoughtful woman who has raised 4 children mainly on her own. She is resilient and doesn’t give up when there are challenges. She encourages her children to be the best versions of themselves. She is a fast learner and a natural born leader. During the fall and winter months she organizes a fundraiser for those who are impacted by childhood cancer. During these months she works a full time job and also makes hundreds of pounds of brown sugar fudge that are sold to those all over the KW region. This nonprofit racks in hundreds of dollars that is distrusted through Go Gold Cambridge to families that face financial troubles while their child is fighting cancer. This money can go toward gas, grocery bills and hotel stays. She also helps to find opportunities for the children to experience activities outside of the hospitals with their families. For example, WWE at the Kitchener Aud. This takes place annually and is now going on it’s third year in the fall. The fudge drive helps those in the community who have to experience scary, and stressful times. It allows for the parents to have a relief financially so they are able to spend more time with their child.
Michelle
2023 Gale-Walker Award WinnerCampbell is a kind, committed, and energetic volunteer who is deeply dedicated to serving Preston and the wider Cambridge community. For multiple years, he has volunteered weekly with the Mobile Food Market at Preston Heights, playing a key role in its success. Campbell dedicates his time contributing to our cambridge bingo volunteering as well. Through his joyful and caring service, Campbell has helped distribute thousands of baskets of fresh produce, building strong relationships and making a meaningful impact on food insecurity in the neighbourhood.
Campbell
2023 Gale-Walker Award NomineeJulie has lived in Preston for about seven years as a dedicated mom, wife, and active community member. She has a deep passion for connection, community-building, and life-affirming practices. Julie runs the Preston Parents Facebook page, serves on the local cycling committee, attends community events, and consistently looks for ways to bring people together. She is also committed to sustainability, making conscious efforts to minimize her family’s carbon footprint. Julie’s ongoing involvement reflects her care for both people and the planet.
Julie
2023 Gale-Walker Award NomineeMichael is dedicated to building a community rooted in belonging, respect, and inclusion. At Parkway Public School, he has been a driving force in creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students and staff, particularly supporting LGBTQ individuals. His work led to meaningful, visible changes such as the installation of a Rainbow sidewalk at the school’s entrance and the launch of Parkway’s first-ever Pride Night. These events not only celebrate diversity but also reflect the inclusive and accepting spirit Michael has helped foster within the school and beyond.
Michael
2023 Gale-Walker Award NomineeDhyani, a Grade 10 student, has shown exceptional leadership and dedication through her 166 volunteer hours with Preston Heights Community Group. Whether as an event volunteer, LIT at summer camp, or City to City volunteer, she consistently seeks out ways to engage and support others. Beyond PHCG, Dhyani has contributed nearly 130 additional hours with Idea Exchange, Black Box Consultancy, and Glenview Park Secondary School. She leads with kindness, gentleness, and a positive spirit, making a meaningful impact wherever she volunteers.
Dhyani
2023 Gale-Walker Award NomineeAlana contributes to the Preston Heights community through her artistic talent, positive energy, and commitment to mental health awareness. Open-minded and welcoming, she works with organizations like Rhythm and Blues and also shares her art independently to create safe, healing spaces. Through affirmations and visual art, Alana supports and uplifts others, always open to new community projects and events. Her passion and creativity continue to make a meaningful impact.
Alana
2023 Gale-Walker Award NomineeSandra is a dedicated volunteer who brings warmth and connection to the Preston community through her work with the Idea Exchange Seed Library, children’s programs, and events. Her handmade t-shirts and buttons reflect her deep commitment to the Seed Library and its mission. Sandra enthusiastically shares library happenings and is a natural advocate for the welcoming, inclusive space the library provides. Her presence is a familiar and friendly one, embodying everything the Idea Exchange stands for.
Sandra
2023 Gale-Walker Award NomineeLearn more about Michelle & George’s community impact:
“George was so pleasant and willing to help where ever he could. He was invited in the people in the community”
Steven – PHCG Neighbor
George and Michelle share a selfless and humble care for the community that they have both modeled as leaders; they want to see the absolute best for Preston neighbours.
George’s presence was felt in the ways he cared for his community and actively worked to make it a proud place to be; grilling on the BBQ at community dinners, helping to fix items in the community centre building and humbly caring whenever anyone shared updates on their life with him.
Michelle continues to build an inspiring legacy of humble, selfless and perseverant support of the community. In over a decade of involvement on the PHCG board and community leadership outside of this role, Michelle has been a calm and perseverant presence, advocating for the Preston Heights Community Group through change and for a better outcome for the community.