A. Vibert Douglas Award

Malcolm Park

2025 Recipient

“No stranger to the Astro-photography world, our award recipient has many attributes to his name. With an image on the back cover of the 2026 Observer’s Handbook of M16, also images in Nicole Mortillaro’s book Night Sky Almanac, to his own website that sells his images and with postings to Instagram, Facebook and many more platforms.

With a remote telescope hosted in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile he images the Southern wonders and studies the sky for Asteroids with ID number X15. Not forgetting the Northern skies, he images and also chases Auroras and weather storms.

Being a member of the RASC since 2014 but with Kingston since April 2020, he has always stepped up and helped out where he could.

Always spearheading projects with presentations and connections, like having reached out to get Peter Cerevolo to assist in discussing a mirror that the RASC KC has in its possession, to creating a Astro-photography 101 and now a Comet photography ZOOM class to help others who are interested in doing astro-photography, using the most up to date software and hardware. The Astrophotography 101 was a 7-month presentation with hands on presentations and a special guest speakers, Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn and Ben Law. It was a very well presented program with so much information.

He was the Vice President of the Kingston Centre from 2022 to 2024, then when asked he became the President in 2024 agreed to give it try. Currently he still holds this position at the time of writing this citation. He was one of the key people to helping steer the Board group through the administration process of By-laws and ONCA government paperwork, not an easy job.

The latest project has been to help spearhead and bring together a donation of the 25" Obsession Attila Danko telescope for outreach work, in connection with the Lennox and Addington Dark Sky Preserve. Plans are underway for minor fixes and the County of Lennox & Addington Mills will be building a storage facility for the Telescope for use in the spring of 2026.

He was also past President and Vice President of the NYAA, and is a primary person in helping to organize Canada’s largest Star Party- Starfest.

Always on the go, but always ready to help out, on behalf of the RASC Kingston Centre the 2025 Recipient of the A. Vibert Douglas award is Malcolm Park.”

Dr. Bruce Elliott & Dr. Laurie Graham

2020 Recipients

Dr. Laurie Graham:

“Since joining the Kingston Centre, Laurie Graham has been an enthusiastic participant in all aspects of club life. As a supporter of Astronomy outreach, Laurie has routinely taken part in events we share with Queen’s University and the Royal Military College. These include the monthly open house at Queen’s Observatory, Science Rendezvous and Astronomy Day. Her patience and teaching skills have also proven invaluable in bringing Astronomy to Guide groups. In talks to the Centre, Laurie has shared her interest in Geology as it applies to the planets of the solar system, reminding us that there is still plenty to explore in our own backyard. As often happens in Centre’s with a small active core, Laurie has found herself on the local executive committee as Vice President and that has been greatly appreciated. Thank you Laurie!”

Dr. Bruce Elliott:

“New to Astronomy when he joined the Kingston Centre, Bruce Elliott wasted no time in volunteering for outreach events. He began with Guide events and Science Rendezvous, eventually taking the lead for the Centre in the KFLA Science Fair. Most notably during the Covid-19 pandemic he lead a group of volunteers in our first elementary outreach via Zoom. This was well received and has provided an experience that the Centre could build on in the future. New volunteers with new approaches bring a breath of fresh air to the Centre and lightens the load of outreach which is an important part of our club mandate and a rewarding endeavour. We hope Bruce’s fresh enthusiasm for Astronomy never diminishes. Thank you Bruce!”

Dr. Brian Hunter

2013 Recipient

“Brian Hunter has been a long time member of the Centre, supporting it in many ways over the very long term. He has attended and assisted at dozens of the Kingston Astronomy Outreach Network (KAON) Public Observing Sessions and Open House at the Queen’s Ellis Hall Observatory and at many International Astronomy Day Outreach events. His role in at least the last decade of astronomy instruction at the Queen’s University Herstmonceux Castle in England, assisting in the Shad Valley 4 week summer enrichment program at Queens and being a general proponent of astronomy can not be understated. His latest in a string of contributions was to act as the key force behind having the Kingston Centre acquire, in a long term lease, the Torus CC04 Research telescope from the Queen’s University Observatory. Not only in the acquisition but also countless hours in the dismantling, transporting, reassembly and recommissioning of the telescope. Other service includes serving on the Board of the Kingston Centre as National Council Rep from 2010-2012, and as Secretary for 2003. He has given many talks at RASC-KC meetings from as early as 1974 to the present and has endless enthusiasm and stories about astronomy! All of his contributions to the Centre have made a very large positive impact on the Kingston Centre and we are very grateful for his service.”

Mark Coady

2012 Recipient

“Mark Coady has been an associate member of the Kingston Centre for some years and recently became a regular member. He has volunteered with vigor to lead the Fall’N’Stars Star Party for three years now (2010-2012) and has assisted before that. Mark has also made contributions to the light pollution abatement front, both serving for some time on the RASC Light Pollution committee, and giving many local presentations in and around his home base near Peterborough. All of this shows his above and beyond-ness dedication to furthering astronomy in the public domain.”

Walter MacDonald

2007 Recipient

“This astronomical verse is of a universe, where this A.V. Douglas winner roams. It’s all about observing achievements and observatory domes. The verse describes MacDonald beginning his observing trek in 1980 with a C8 telescope, building an observatory four years later, and serving as Librarian, National Representative, and President. It highlights his variable star observation, aperture fever, eclipse expeditions, CCD technology, and robotic domes. The citation culminates in recognizing his discovery of SUPERNOVA 2007cf in MCG +02-39-21.”

John Hurley

2006 Recipient

“This year’s recipient has worked on the Executive level, since becoming a member of the Centre 9 years ago. Our winner came from Western Ontario, has helped at many public observing events, Astronomy Day, Fall N Stars and has been the Centre Treasurer for over 7 years and has served as Kingston’s National Council Representative for the past two years, in fact just today, he attended by teleconference of the National Council meeting, of which I am sure there will be lots to tell at a future date. It gives me great pleasure to announce the winner of this year’s winner A.V. Douglas Award, if you don’t know by now, its none other than Mr. John Hurley of Sharbot Lake, via Windsor.”

Norm Welbanks

2005 Recipient

“Is it a meteor, is it a bolide, is it an asteroid……..No its our newest winner of the A. Vibert Douglas award. This award is the highest award from the Kingston Centre that can be bestowed upon someone. Norm has been a member since January 1996 and is known as the phantom, the avid astronomer and observer who jumps to help no matter what you’re doing. He is a kind, courteous, friendly and a true friend, volunteer above the call of duty.”

Don Cooke

2004 Recipient

“Don stepped in and ran many of the events the Centre has become well known for, including Chair of the Fall’N’Stars Committee, Astronomy Day, and Sky Is The Limit Festival.”

Doug Angle

2002 Recipient

“The A. Vibert Douglas Award is the centre’s highest honour and is bestowed upon members who have made a significant contribution to the Kingston Centre or to Astronomy and its sister sciences. This year’s recipient has made several very important contributions to our centre ever since joining the centre several years ago. From providing guidance, wisdom and elbow grease for several of our telescope making projects, to making major contributions to our education efforts, this person has been on the front lines of some of our most ambitious adventures. This person has also played a role in centre politics, serving as President and also spending several years as the head of the Amateur Telescope Makers group. Most recently he has shepherded the construction of the Robert Venor Telescope project. From beginner to expert, we have all learned something from this knowledgeable, humble and generous man. It gives me great pleasure to announce the winner of this year’s A.V. Douglas Award, and greater pleasure still to claim him as a member of Kingston Centre. He is none other than Douglas Angle.”

Susan Gagnon

2001 Recipient

“This year’s recipient of our centre’s highest award has much in common with our founder, for whom the award is named. Showing selfless dedication to the centre and its well-being, this person has been actively involved in centre activities since joining us. Having served on the GA organizing committee in 1997, our winner then went on to serve as National Council Representative, Secretary, Astronomy Day Coordinator, and has also taken part in many public events, usually as part of the committee that organized them. She has also been the organizer of the annual banquet. In short, whatever activity our centre is involved in, Susan Gagnon is there ready to make things happen. She is our ray of sunshine and the energy that moves us. Thank you Susan, for making our centre the finest in the RASC.”

Hank Bartlett

2000 Recipient

“Hank Bartlett has been a long time member of the Kingston Center, and a frequent contributor to the center’s activities over the years. In the past year, Hank has been coordinator of the Youth Observing Group, a responsibility he has executed well. Hank has donated prizes for fundraising draws at the monthly meetings, and conducted many of those draws himself. Hank is a frequent participant in the public and center observing sessions, and has been somewhat of an informal social convenor for the Kingston contingent at Starfest, and the Center’s overnight observing session.”

Thomas Dean & Laura Gagne

1999 Recipients

Thomas Dean:

“…has been an active participant in 1999 and past years. In 1998 he was chair of both the observing and ATM committees. He negotiated the acquisition of the 24 inch mirror blank, and has contributed to the organization, design and grinding. He has also helped with the Youth Group, as well as organizing the Public and members-only observing sessions. The public sessions in particular are well attended, and have resulted in several new members to the center.”

Laura Gagne:

“…is Vice-President, chair of the education committee, and past co-chair of the youth group. She is editor of the Students Guide to Careers in Space, and Expanding Their Universe – The Ontario Teachers Companion To Grade 9 Astronomy. Laura has also participated in many observing sessions, mirror grinding, and other Kingston Center activities. As a result of her efforts, the Kingston Center produced a seminar for Secondary School teachers to introduce them to Astronomy.”

Peggy Hurley

1998 Recipient

“The winner of this years award joined the Kingston Center in 1989 and has been a member for 9 years; has been the Astronomy Day Coordinator; has helped various Brownie and Guide groups earn their astronomy badge throughout the years; have given many interesting talks to our members; was Chairperson for the very successful 1997 GA and has been President for the past 3 years. And I am sure that I have left out many things done behind the scenes. Tonight I am proud to present this award to my friend and yours, Peggy Hurley.”

Dr. Judith Irwin

1997 Recipient

“This year’s recipient is certainly deserving of the award as she carries on the spirit of Dr. Douglas. Dr. Judith Irwin has been the liaison between Kingston Centre and the Physics Department at Queen’s. She has given wonderful talks to the centre about her research and was a featured speaker at the General Assembly this past June. Dr. Irwin acts as our sponsor, ensuring us a place to meet and is actively involved in our centre especially helping to educate the public about astronomy through observatory open houses and the newspaper column ‘Stargazer’ in Kingston this week which she writes with her husband, Dieter Bruekner. We are all very proud of her and congratulate her on receiving this award.”

Kevin Kell

1996 Recipient

“The winner of this years award joined the Kingston Center in 1989 and has been a member for 7 years; has been the Astronomy Day Coordinator; has initiated a monthly public observing session on the shores of Lake Ontario and committed to it as a volunteer for years now; is a member of the 1997 General Assembly committee for Kingston; presented talks at Centre meetings; helped to found and support the fidonet computer bulletin board system for RASC communications; has led the effort to restart the Amateur Telescope Maker (ATM) Club with work on the Fitzgerald telescope and has served on the executive.”

Kim Hay

1994 Recipient

“This year’s winner of the A. Vibert Douglas award has, true to the spirit of the award, made very substantial contributions to the operation and well-being of the RASC Kingston Centre. For the past several years, she has spent many hours keeping the centre’s finances and correspondence in order, writing beautifully worded annual reports summarizing the centre’s activities each year, booking the meetings with Queen’s University, handling Observer’s Handbook distribution and membership renewals, and much, much more.

I am speaking of none other than Kim Hay, of course. Kim has served the centre for three years as Secretary and is embarking on her third year as Treasurer. In fact, Kim actually held both the positions of Secretary and Treasurer simultaneously during 1993! There are few people indeed that could handle such a tremendous responsibility as this, but Kim not only handled, it, she excelled at it. More recently, Kim has taken on the task of managing the Society’s promotional items, and in doing so, has raised the profile of the Kingston Centre at the National level of our Society.

As you can see, Kim’s influence has been greatly felt throughout the Kingston Centre over the past few years. But I should mention also that her influence is felt not just in ‘normal’ space. Through her operation of the ‘Moonlight Cascade BBS’ (a member of the RASCNet), Kingston Centre members have yet another venue in which to pursue their hobby: in ‘cyberspace!’

In summary, Kim Hay’s enthusiasm, hard work, and good humour have enriched the centre tremendously, and it is with great pleasure that I present the 1994 A. Vibert Douglas Award to her.”

Christine Kulyk

1993 Recipient

“This year’s winner of the Dr. A. Vibert Douglas Award is a long-time member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and has been a member of both the Edmonton and Kingston Centres. She has brought a wealth of enthusiasm and new ideas to the office of President of the Kingston Centre. We have had our membership numbers grow to a figure never-before-seen in the thirty-two year history of our Centre. She has arranged for a stunning variety of guest speakers for our meetings, and has seen that our programs have included topics of interest for the veteran and neophyte, for young and old, for the generalist and the specialist, for the enthusiastic deep-sky observer as well as the sedentary armchair astronomer. For the first time in the Centre’s history, a committee sparked to action by the President is considering hosting a General Assembly of the Society. Numerous other ideas for promoting astronomy are being seriously worked on. Little wonder then that, on behalf of the Kingston Centre, we are proud to present our Centre’s major award, the Dr. A. Vibert Douglas Award, to our President, Christine Kulyk.”

Hein van Asperen

1987 Recipient

“Mr. Hein Van Asperen served for three consecutive years as Alternate Council Representative or National Council Representative and was serving as Vice-President at the time of the award. His remarkable drawings and precise observations of sunspots and solar activity from day to day have often added considerably to our observing reports. He was an active night-sky observer using a Questar telescope and participated in a 1984 solar eclipse expedition. His high-precision calculations and methodical procedures for solving complicated problems of positional astronomy have become well known, with some calculations on navigational problems gaining attention from naval authorities. He made numerous Centre presentations and contributed entries to General Assembly display competitions. Despite driving considerable distances, Hein misses very few meetings and was one of the most eager supporters of Astronomy Day activities. He also published work on eighteenth-century telescopes in the Society’s National Newsletter.”

Larry Manuel

1986 Recipient

“All the members of our group aware of the fact that Larry Manuel has contributed significantly to the R. A. S. C. – Kingston Centre over the past two year. He is the type of amateur astronomer whose work and dedication are too often neglected but need to be recognized. The criteria for the Dr. A. Vibert Douglas Award states that it may be given for service to the Centre or Society and/or an astronomical achievement. What Larry has done could be categorized as both a service to our Centre and an achievement. Restoring the Centre’s 10-inch telescope by completing a handsome Dobsonian mount for it and making it much more useable than it has ever been is an important accomplishment in line with what many astronomical groups are doing to increase observing time for themselves and the general public, and it is a service to our Centre whose members have long had a good telescope but one which had been virtually unusable because of a faulty mount. It was Larry who had the initiative to undertake a project that was completed very successfully. Unless he had done it, our scope would probably have remained in its former condition for many more years, and that would have been pity.

A recent presentation to our Centre of Larry’s personal project to build a 3-inch refractor also represents a considerable achievement. It has been a long time since our Centre had a member who has been involved in a telescope-building project of any real significance and the expertise which Larry is gaining first-hand is also a service to our Centre because he has shared his learning experience with us and is always most willing to talk about the vast amount of information he has gleaned in this area – one that is often shunned by many astronomers today, who usually prefer to buy everything off the shelf and neatly prepackaged. Larry indicates that his refractor-building project is only the first of several. This initiative is something that promises to make a good many of our future meetings very interesting as we follow the construction of increasingly larger refractors. There seems to be something about such projects that is inherent in the way that true amateur astronomers were meant to practise their craft. The members of the Kingston Centre are, therefore, most proud to make the second presentation of the Dr. A. Vibert Douglas Award to Larry Manuel.”

David Stokes

1985 Recipient

“All the members of the Kingston Centre are aware of the fact that Mr. David M. Stokes has provided excellent leadership as president of the R. A. S. C. – Kingston Centre over the past two year. He is the type of amateur a astronomer who quietly thinks about methods of improving our meetings and the ways we do things as a group and then sets about the task of carrying out those plans all the while doing the job in an effective and unassuming way.

He is a person who is always eager to share his special interests in astronomy. Over the past two years he has assisted the staff of a camp site in organizing its plans for building an observatory. He has himself observed the sky in many different countries through which he has travelled, and on several occasions has sent back correspondence about what it was like to observe the stars in some of the very distant regions of the globe.

Most of all in recent years he has used his computer to do many kinds of calculations involving astronomy and spherical mathematics. His special interests are the calculations of orbits of solar system objects, and in this area he has done some amazing work which rates with the best in the country. Many times he has shown his eagerness to share his computer knowledge and resources to help other members of the Centre and the Society.

His special interest in Astronomy Day and all the Centre’s activities has meant that he has given up a great deal of his own free time to assist the group. As well as being president for two years, he has for a number of years been our Centre’s librarian.

The members of the Kingston Centre, therefore, are proud to have David Stokes as our president and think he is a most worthy first recipient of the Dr. A. Vibert Douglas Award.”