After next Thursday, 39 local recipients of Diamond Jubilee Medals will have their hardware.

In British Columbia, each Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) was given four medals to hand out to worthy community members.

Federal Members of Parliament were given 30.

The Diamond Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal created in 2011 to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne.

There are three versions of the medal: one issued by the UK, one by Canada and one in Caribbean countries. During the year of celebrations, 60,000 medals are to be handed out across Canada.

In December, Chilliwack MLA John Les handed his four out to Chilliwack Museum and Archives director Ron Denman, volunteer weather observer Roger Pan-nett, perennial volunteer Marian Dyck and Ruth & Naomi's board chair Wayne Massey.

At a ceremony held at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Jan. 23, Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP gave away 30 medals to: John Blessin, Marietha Bruneski, Ernie Crey, Shirley Dargatz, Josephine Ellis, Lorne Fisher, Rolland Fox, Jim Gaetz, Angus Haggarty, Hans Jeschek, David Jimmie, Richard (Gwyn) Joiner, Peter Kenward, Francis & Esther King, Warren King, Ana Mace-do, Allen McEwan, Barry Penner, Sylvia Pranger, Glen Ringdal, Crist'l Roshard, Earl Rowe, Glenda Standeven, Laurence Stinson, Ted & Ann Stoker, Harald Throness, Grant Ullyot and Richard Zervini.

On Feb. 7, Chilliwack-Hope MLA Gwen O'Mahony will present her four medals to former District of Kent councillor Ted Westlin, Chief Willie Charlie of the Sts'ailes Band, Anne Schudeleit of Boston Bar and the late Dorothy Kostrzewa, a long-time City of Chilliwack councillor, who will be awarded the medal posthumously.

Chilliwack resident Henry Kozler also received a medal presented by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) at a ceremony on Jan. 13 in Abbotsford.

? O'Mahony's awards ceremony begins at 5 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the Chilliwack Coast Hotel. The event is free and open to the public.

phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com