2025
House of Assembly
Mark Jerrett; Darren Churchill; Andrea Hyde; Kim Hawley George, KC; Kimberly Puddester; Bobbi Russell; Robert Escott
Members of the Mace Tour Team are being recognized for their outstanding work in advancing civic education and democratic engagement across Newfoundland and Labrador through the inaugural 2024 Mace Tour.
Launched in June 2024, the Mace Tour brought both the current and historical Maces of the House of Assembly on a 12-day journey across the province. The tour visited 10 schools and seven community organizations, including several Indigenous governments, and reached more than 1,500 participants. Traveling approximately 3,500 kilometres by road and air, including a visit to the community of Rigolet, the tour brought the symbols of Parliament directly to the people.
With a goal to increase access to and understanding of the province’s democratic institutions, the team developed and delivered engaging, age appropriate programming that focused on governance, citizenship, and the significance of the maces in parliamentary tradition.
The team demonstrated strong leadership through interdepartmental collaboration and a deep commitment to the initiative’s success. From planning and coordination to content development and multimedia
production, each member of this small but dedicated team played a critical role while continuing to fulfill their day-to-day responsibilities.
The success of the inaugural Mace Tour represents a milestone in public engagement and sets a new standard for civic outreach in the province. Their efforts brought democracy to life for communities that might not otherwise have the opportunity to connect with the Legislature, and their work will have lasting impact on the province’s future leaders.
Their achievement is a powerful example of how creativity, collaboration, and public service can bring institutions closer to the people they serve.