Education, health, and agriculture spotlighted at info day
Cathy Fox
Local Journalism Initiative
Published February 26, 2025.
SHAWVILLE – The Pontiac Women’s Institute hosted an information day and lunch at the Shawville United Church Hall, February 19, with a number of presentations touching on education, agriculture, health and community.
Luke McLaren, vice-principal at Pontiac High School (PHS) in Shawville, spoke about several new projects at the school: renewing the agriculture program, adding small livestock production to the usual greenhouse training, and expanding the outdoor education program thanks to a $10,000 grant for buying canoes and a transport vehicle. McLaren concluded
by recounting the history of vocational education. About a third of the school’s students
are enrolled in the welding program, which has greatly reduced dropout rates.
Next, Sue Page introduced PHS welding teacher, Megan Tubman, who has helped the program obtain numerous awards and grants from the Canadian Welding Bureau.
Serena Larivière elaborated on three new programs created by the local health
network, CISSSO: “ALLO” provides assistance in healthcare settings for non Francophones; 811 is a free telephone-based health consultation service offering health advice, mental health and social support; and a program to alert the public to the dangers of ‘vaping’
and help them quit.
Veronique Lamoureaux, CISSSO community health worker, described the Beacon program, which provides training for people to be on the lookout for those who may not be able
to express their needs or know where to get help. They are presently offering two classes in Campbell’s Bay.
Shanna Armstrong and Maryse Vallière Murray from the MRC Pontiac detailed the
progress of the AgriSaveur program to have local products transformed and marketed locally. This includes buying the abattoir in Shawville and having a co-op run it and establishing a rental-based commercial kitchen in Shawville.
The day ended with an in-depth description of the scope of the 4-H Club by provincial president and local Shawville resident, Gillian MacDougall.
Photo – The executive board of the Pontiac Women’s institute at the information day,
held February 19 in Shawville. (CF)
Published February 26, 2025.
