National Awards

Rick Wagner is a Life Member and has been a member of the Ottawa Centre continuously
since 1973, with the exception of one year in the Edmonton Centre. He has also been an
associate member of Kingston Centre since 2012.
Although primarily a serious observer, Rick has also worked continuously at the Centre level
throughout his membership, and often contributes at the National level as a National
Representative on Council. Rick rewrote the Ottawa Centre’s bylaws in the 1990s and has
updated them as required when the RASC governance model was changed.
Rick was a member of the organizing committee of the 1990 Ottawa GA, a volunteer with
the 2006 GA, and an invited speaker for the 2017 GA.
For many years Rick has been a frequent participant at Ottawa Centre’s member and public
star party/observing sessions. On the Centre level, Rick has received the Centre Merit award
and was twice the recipient of the Observer of the Year Award.
Rick has served the Ottawa Centre in many positions including First and Second VP,
President, many years as centre executive member, multiple observing coordinatorships, two
years as meeting chair, as National Council representative for Ottawa Centre for over 15
years plus acting as an alternate rep for many other Council Meetings.
At the National Level, Rick was Chair of the National Observing Committee for two years
and his observations have earned him the Finest NGC Certificate, the Isabel K. Williamson
Lunar Observing Certificate and he has completed the Lunar 1000 Challenge.
Rick splits his time between the Ottawa and Kingston Centres now that he has moved from
the City of Ottawa to a rural home north of Kingston. Rick is currently President and
meeting chair of the Kingston Centre, and has been their National Council representative for
two years. He initiated their annual April Observing Session and has made dozens of formal
presentations and informal observation reports to both Kingston and the Ottawa Centres.
Rick is always happy to offer help and advice to fellow members. He has been a frequent
participant in work parties at the Ottawa Centre’s series of Observing Sites: Quiet Site,
North Mountain Observatory, Fred Lossing Observatory. He was also an early contributor
to the Ottawa Centre’s SMARTScope Project and was a member of the SMARTScope
development team for several years. When not working on RASC business, he spends much
of his time trouble-shooting the electronic controls for his new observatory and writing
scripts for collecting and analysing photometry data.

Michael Francis Hanes (b.1959) joined the London Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society in January 1995, after
receiving a large refracting telescope from his wife for Christmas. He soon became a leading force in the Amateur
Telescope Making group, first with a six-inch scope to learn the basics and progressing up through 8 inch, 12.5 inch, 15 inch, 17.5 inch, and ultimately a 24 inch mirror. His telescopes are known for their quality, precision, attention to detail, craftsmanship, and functionality.
Mike was ATM Chair for London Centre from 2004 to 2016, often hosting a group of enthusiastic telescope makers
in his large basement with up to six grinding tables operating simultaneously. Mike built a large motorized rough grinding table in his garage and another for polishing in his basement, to reduce the problem of grit contamination, and these machines have been used by several London Centre members to reduce the hand work required in mirror making. He donated one of his small scopes to the Centre and has also made telescopes for several other members of London Centre. Mike joined the small observing group that met at Sharron Creek, and after several interactions with passing motorists Mike was first to promote observing from the Fingal Wildlife Management Area. He arranged to get keys to the FWMA gates and was later instrumental in gaining approval from the Elgin County Stewardship Council to observe from the park interior where passing cars and local lights do not disturb observers. When London Centre decided to build a Warm
Up Room at the FWMA observing site for the comfort of observers, Mike did a large part of the framing, roofing,
cladding, installing fibreglass insulation, vapour barrier and drywall. He fabricated a concrete “bunker” to store and protect the heater propane tank outside the building and built a welded steel frame to support a solar panel on the roof with which to charge storage batteries for the 12V and 120V AC off-grid power system.
London Centre’s largest project was the building of Observatories One and Two on the FWMA concrete pad, which also
houses the Warm Up Room. Mike helped frame the foundations and cut three large holes
in the existing and very hard WWII concrete pad so that isolated concrete piers could be installed for Centre telescopes. Mike provided much of the leadership in the group effort to frame in and clad the first roll-off-roof observatory, which was accomplished over a single weekend. Mike also obtained and assisted with the installation of the
secure steel door. Mike was involved with the Society’s Property Committee regarding the former headquarters building on Dupont Street and provided guidance and advice when the decision was made by National Council to relinquish the landlord role. For the 2016 General Assembly, Mike worked tirelessly with conference staff at Fanshawe College and other committee members to ensure that the facilities were set up properly for all General Assembly events and for the AstroCATS event.
Mike’s service to London Centre rose to a new level when he became President for 2018. His term was marked by a new
format for club meetings and a well-organized program of Guests of Honour. Mike’s outgoing personality and inclusive
approach made it easy for other members to contribute, too. As an avid observer, Michael has benefited from the experience of others, and he is quick in turn to assist new observers in finding their way around a busy sky.
It is a pleasure for London Centre executive to authorize and support this Service Award nomination

Susan is a good example of what flying under the radar can accomplish. What she
has done is committed herself over two decades to the RASC- Kingston Centre
fulfilling many roles. If we look at the last 20 years without her service, it is an eye
opening view. Below is the historical aspect of what Susan has done to enhance
the RASC-Kingston Centre.
Susan joined the RASC-Kingston Centre on January 1st, 1993. Since that time, she
slowly eased her way into learning astronomy and introducing herself to helping
the Centre grow.
1995-1997 RASC Kingston Centre GA Committee
1998-2000 National Council Rep
2000-2002 RASC Kingston-Secretary
2008-2009 RASC Kingston -Vice President
2010-2013 RASC Kingston- President
Though stepping down as President after two consecutive terms, she is still
carrying on with Coordinating the Kingston Astronomical Outreach Network
(KAON). This is a monthly open house and public observing sessions in
conjunction with the Queen’s University Observatory. She has been dependable
regular volunteer at least as far back as 2003 bring “Baby’ and binoculars and a
Coordinator since 2007.
In Public Outreach over the years along with other volunteers, she has always
been present. Sky is the Limit Festivals, Astronomy Day’s in the parks, libraries
and various shopping malls.
She has also helped out at the Charleston Lake Observing Sessions helping
Terrance Dickinson on his August Astronomy Nights. Susan has also made
presentations at the Cataraqui Conservation Area (2011 Feb) (http://crca.ca/),
Kingston Field Naturalists Bio Blitz (2012 June) (http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/)
She has presented countless sessions to schools, Girl Guide’s and Girl, Boy
scouts as well. She has also presented Astronomy to the elderly who in retirement
homes. She also arranged a couple of overnight observing sessions at Elbow Lake
Environmental Education Centre (http://elbowlakecentre.ca/) Susan is also a
regular member on the Fall’N’Stars (http://rascbelleville.ca/fallnstars/) Star party
Organizing committee for the last 12 years.
She helps out where ever she can, when we are short volunteers, and has an
infectious smile and laugh that welcomes all who come into her presence. To us
she is Super Woman, but she is terribly modest and self-effacing. Best of all she is
our friend and well deserving of this award.

Many of us, no most of us, join clubs, associations or societies for what they can give us
or where they can take us. Few of us join to give as Kim Hay has to RASC National,
RASC Kingston Centre and her fellow members. Joining any association for benefit is
what they are there for, to guide, teach and enrich the interests of it members. Kim
however is one of those individuals in life that join to give first and receive later.
Since 1989 through two decades of membership, Kim has been a constant volunteer,
served on numerous committees, and held many executive positions at both the
Kingston Centre and National level. It only took Kim two years after joining the RASC to
become an executive, holding positions of Secretary, Treasurer, National Council Rep.,
President and Treasurer 2008-2010. In 1997, when Kingston Centre hosted the General
Assembly, Kim was the never-tiring Treasurer and Registrar for the event (with the aid
of “Barbarian”) that helped make it such a success. Apart from all of these positions Kim
has volunteered for every public event and instructional/education course that the
Kingston Centre has had in the past 20 years.
Kim’s involvement at the National level makes one wonder how she had the time for
most of her Centre work. Serving on eight committees since 1994 Kim has contributed
greatly not just to this Society but the hobby and interest of astronomy as a whole. Her
National level service is as follows: Membership & Promotion Committee 1994-2002
(Chair 1998-2001), Computer Use Committee 1998-2001, National Secretary 1999-
2005, national Executive Committee 1999-2005, Light Pollution Abatement Committee
2001-2002 and 2006-2008, Education Committee 2005, 2007-2008 (Chair 2007-2008),
Library Committee 2007, Historical Committee 2007, Board Pilot Committee 2007 and
Executive Advisory Committee (2008-2009).
An avid and infectious solar observer, Kim has published her first contribution to the
2009 Observers’ Handbook. Kim is dedicated to sketching and tracking solar
phenomenon (soon to be expanding into H-alpha), never taking the shortcut of digital
imaging for her statistical work. She has been the ALPO Solar Co-ordinator since 2005
and serves as Computing Section Co-ordinator since 2004. Other outside interests
include membership in the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
and being a Committee member (Canada level) for the International Year of Astronomy
(2007-2009).
Her most recent contributions in 2008 to members across Canada were the creation of
the RASC Astrosketchers Web page and e-mail discussion group
(http://www.rasc.ca/discussion/astrosketchers/), and her work on the Web presentation
of Canada and the Stars (http://www.rasc.ca/education/iya/csc.shtml). She deserves all
the credit for bringing together the RASC’s astronomical sketching community, and
putting its resources on the Web.
The last point to mention is the over 100 hours of time committed to preparing for the
International Year of Astronomy in 2008 alone, not counting participating in all of the
events that will happen in 2009.
The Awards Committee and the Board of The RASC-Kingston Centre wholly endorse
Kim Hay’s nomination for the RASC Service award based on the documentation put
forward here.

2009, most notably The International Year of Astronomy, will also mark 30th year of
Walter MacDonald’s involvement with the RASC. Walter was an active member of the
Toronto Centre from 1979 till 1987, and from 1987 to the present he has been
energetically involved with the Kingston Centre. In a local sense it is undeniable that
Toronto’s loss is Kingston’s gain, yet wherever Walter has been, the nature of his many
ongoing contributions to the Society has benefited the RASC as a whole, and through
the RASC, astronomy at large.
During his term as National Librarian (1994-1997), Walter created and distributed one of
the first e-versions of the National Library’s holdings of monographs and journals. It is in
the spirit of that early effort to enhance access to RASC resources through electronic
means, profiting members and non-members alike, that Walter has undertaken an
immensely more significant enterprise. He has digitized The National Newsletter (1970-
1990), and the early print incarnation of The Bulletin from 1991 to 1996, as well as the
Annual Reports for 1966-1977 (when they were issued under separate cover), and
provided links to the URLs of the earlier Annual Reports (1914-1960s) in The
SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS). This has been a massive undertaking,
and Walter conceived, implemented, and completed it virtually single-handedly, and in
record time. It is as if one man did a whole committee’s worth of work, competently,
congenially, and on-time. There are reports, reviews, and observations of real value in
the Newsletter and early Bulletin which fully justify the effort spent on their digitization.
The full significance of Walter’s achievement in this project lies elsewhere, however; he
has made readily available several key resources for the history of organized amateur
astronomy in Canada, for charting the course of Canadian amateur science, for
chronicling the changing relationship between amateur and professional astronomers,
for gauging the reaction (or non reaction) of Canadian amateurs to trends in the
discipline, and for comparing our national astronomical culture with others. For this
achievement alone he merits nomination for the Service Award.
More should, and can be said about Walter’s work at the Centre level. While a member
of the Toronto Centre, he served as Assistant Editor of Scope, the Centre’s newsletter,
as well as Chair of the Observational Activities Committee. As a member of the Kingston
Centre, he was their Representative on National Council (1992-1994), Centre President
(1994-1995), a member of their Observatory Committee, and Centre Webmaster. Prior
to holding that last position he digitized nearly two decades of Regulus, the Kingston
Centre’s newsletter. In recognition of his contributions he received the A.V. Douglas
Award for 2007, the Kingston Centre’s most prestigious service award.
For Walter, as for many of us, whatever his other astronomical interests, observing is
vitally important. His first projects were centred on DSOs, and by extension,
astrophotography, first on film, then with CCD technology (1998-). He was the first
Kingston Centre member to complete the RASC Finest NGC Certificate in 1995. Walter’s
love of observing has led him to complement his RASC membership with membership in
other reputable astronomical societies: the AAVSO (since 1981), The Planetary Society
(since 1983), the North York Astronomical Association (NYAA), and the Durham Region
Astronomical Society (DRAS). For the AAVSO he has logged nearly 24,000
observations (some visual, but the majority with CCD). Walter has endeavoured to
increase collaboration between the RASC and the AAVSO, notably through mentoring
novice RASC variable-star observers. He has been involved with the Kingston Centre’s
Robotic Telescope project since its inception in the fall of 2006, providing both technical
assistance and major hardware. He also successfully designed and installed his own
observatory structure as an integral part of his home (Winchester Observatory). His
interest in variable stars has led him to participate in the Puckett Supernova Search
Team, work for which he received the Ken Chilton Prize for 2008, along with several
RASC colleagues.
Walter approaches all of his astronomical projects with good humour, high motivation,
and hard work. He has been generous in helping others with equipment, advice, and
programmes. It speaks volumes that when the RASC Archivist suggested Walter be
nominated for the Service Award, members of the RASC History Committee endorsed
the nomination, as did the Kingston Centre’s Awards Committee.

Many of us, no most of us, join clubs, associations or societies for what they can give us
or where they can take us. Few of us join to give as Kim Hay has to RASC National,
RASC Kingston Centre and her fellow members. Joining any association for benefit is
what they are there for, to guide, teach and enrich the interests of it members. Kim
however is one of those individuals in life that join to give first and receive later.
Since 1989 through two decades of membership, Kim has been a constant volunteer,
served on numerous committees, and held many executive positions at both the
Kingston Centre and National level. It only took Kim two years after joining the RASC to
become an executive, holding positions of Secretary, Treasurer, National Council Rep.,
President and Treasurer 2008-2010. In 1997, when Kingston Centre hosted the General
Assembly, Kim was the never-tiring Treasurer and Registrar for the event (with the aid
of “Barbarian”) that helped make it such a success. Apart from all of these positions Kim
has volunteered for every public event and instructional/education course that the
Kingston Centre has had in the past 20 years.
Kim’s involvement at the National level makes one wonder how she had the time for
most of her Centre work. Serving on eight committees since 1994 Kim has contributed
greatly not just to this Society but the hobby and interest of astronomy as a whole. Her
National level service is as follows: Membership & Promotion Committee 1994-2002
(Chair 1998-2001), Computer Use Committee 1998-2001, National Secretary 1999-
2005, national Executive Committee 1999-2005, Light Pollution Abatement Committee
2001-2002 and 2006-2008, Education Committee 2005, 2007-2008 (Chair 2007-2008),
Library Committee 2007, Historical Committee 2007, Board Pilot Committee 2007 and
Executive Advisory Committee (2008-2009).
An avid and infectious solar observer, Kim has published her first contribution to the
2009 Observers’ Handbook. Kim is dedicated to sketching and tracking solar
phenomenon (soon to be expanding into H-alpha), never taking the shortcut of digital
imaging for her statistical work. She has been the ALPO Solar Co-ordinator since 2005
and serves as Computing Section Co-ordinator since 2004. Other outside interests
include membership in the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
and being a Committee member (Canada level) for the International Year of Astronomy
(2007-2009).
Her most recent contributions in 2008 to members across Canada were the creation of
the RASC Astrosketchers Web page and e-mail discussion group
(http://www.rasc.ca/discussion/astrosketchers/), and her work on the Web presentation
of Canada and the Stars (http://www.rasc.ca/education/iya/csc.shtml). She deserves all
the credit for bringing together the RASC’s astronomical sketching community, and
putting its resources on the Web.
The last point to mention is the over 100 hours of time committed to preparing for the
International Year of Astronomy in 2008 alone, not counting participating in all of the
events that will happen in 2009.
The Awards Committee and the Board of The RASC-Kingston Centre wholly endorse
Kim Hay’s nomination for the RASC Service award based on the documentation put
forward here

Kevin Kell has been a member of the Kingston Centre since 1990, serving in many capacities – as KC librarian (1994-96), KC Webmaster (1996-03), Regulus editor (1996-03), and the main force behind all other publications created by the Centre since the mid-90s. Working with the ATM group at the Centre, he participated in the assembly of more than thirty barn-door trackers, a telescope-grinding machine, and several large mirrors .
Kevin is an avid promoter of responsible lighting, and an indefatigable member of planning committees for public
events and star parties. One of his key projects has been the introduction of the Observational Astronomy for
the Novice program to Kingston, with help from the Prince George Centre. Members of other Centres
have also benefited from Kevin’s enthusiasm and energy. He is a member of RASC’s Information Technology Committee and
the National Webmaster since 2000. He has opened the history of the RASC to all members by working with others to archive past RASC reports and minutes electronically. This richly deserved Service Award is recognition of Kevin’s dedication over the past 15 years and a vote of thanks from the members of the Kingston Centre.

The Hamilton Centre nominated Mark Kaye for the Service Award for outstanding service, not only to the
Hamilton Centre, but to the Society as a whole. The Hamilton membership has come to know Mark quite well
in the decade that he has been a member, in spite of his quiet and unassuming manner. He served on the Board of Directors ofthe Hamilton Centre every year he was eligible, as the National Representative for many of them, and President for three consecutive years.
One of Mark’s most visible accomplishments is helping to run the RASCList. As one of the moderators, he does such a
superb job that only occasionally does the list get off-topic. He also manages all ofthe Hamilton Centre’s lists, including the Board list, the announcement list, and the general chat list. Mark is a master of construction and repair. As an example, he took an old 10-inch mirror in an ancient rickety mount and turned it into a fine classic Dobsonian. The scope, built like a tank, is an absolute joy to use. Mark’s attention to detail and skill turned an unused liability into one of Hamilton Centre’s most useful telescopes. As a consequence of the many talks that he has given to Centres across the country, Mark’s cottage, with the telephone pole through the bathroom, has become an
icon. Mark Kaye would be an asset to any Centre in the country. There is no doubt that Hamilton Centre, and the Society as a whole, would be a much poorer place without him.

Cited by Susan Gagnon of the Kingston Centre: “His knowledge, enthusiasm and talent for telling a story has made him an ideal promoter of astronomy.” His body of work spans observing guides, research papers, biographies, magazine articles and columns. (JRASC Vol. 96, p. 212)

Honoured June 29, 1986 in Winnipeg. Served extensively on the Kingston Centre executive. “Indefatigable in sharing his wide knowledge and observing skills.” Built a personal observatory; skilled astrophotographer. Served as National Recorder and conducted public outreach with slide presentations across eastern Ontario.

Joined the RASC in 1973 and the Kingston Centre in 1979. By the mid-1980s he was producing more than 4,000 variable star observations each year, placing him among the top few AAVSO observers worldwide. Discoveries include Nova Cygni 1978 and an outburst of RS Ophiuchi (January 1985).

Recognized as an exceptional variable star observer, submitting over 2,000 observations per month to the AAVSO. Skilled in comet hunting, nova searching, and sunspot recording. Observed all Messier objects and all planets in a single night. Assembled a collection of over 50 working telescopes and contributed regularly to Star and Sky magazine.

First woman National President of the RASC (1943–44). Founded the Kingston Centre in 1960 after moving from Montreal to Queen’s University, where she served as Dean of Women and Professor of Astronomy. Cited for distinguished authorship and astronomical lectures.