Hudson Mack receives community recognition award

While Hudson Mack is known as a journalist and a broadcaster, he has spent more than three decades helping others in the community.

Royal Roads University honoured Mack for his volunteerism and community dedication June 19, with the Chancellor’s Community Recognition award.

“It’s a real honour and I am thrilled to be recognized by an institute as respected as Royal Roads,” Mack said. “Everybody has an obligation to be a part of where we live.”

Over the years Mack has volunteered his time with groups such as the United Way, Victoria General Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital and Variety — the Children’s Charity.

“My biggest involvement right now is riding on the Tour de Rock. We are in the midst of training and fundraising,” Mack said. “I’ve always liked riding my bike. I am the poster boy for Bike to Work Week at the station.”

While his evening newscasts have caused him to miss some of the group’s training rides, Mack hits the streets with the team Sunday mornings, peddling more than 60 kilometres at a stretch.

“The riding itself isn’t too intimidating. The challenge is to raise as much money as we can,” Mack said.

For years Mack has supported Cops for Cancer and even shaved his head on-air in 1997. Embarking on the Tour de Rock will be the most physically demanding community involvement he’s had, he said.

Since 1985 Victorians have welcomed Mack into their homes via evening broadcasts on CHEK and then ‘A’ channel. Being a member of the media has given him some influence in the community, Mack said.

“The influence is loaned only while you are a part of it,” he said. “Awards such as this truly underscore how local television stations can help the community on a powerful level.”

Mack acknowledges that some people don’t have the time or commitment to volunteer in the community, but he said everyone can stand behind those who do and offer support.

In 2002 Mack received the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Gold Ribbon for community service and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal for contributing to the community.

Also he is an honorary lieutenant-colonel for the 741 Communication Squadron reserve unit in Esquimalt.

While Mack has always been keen on helping his community, he said he dove into volunteering more in 1980 when he began his broadcasting career in Kamloops and then Prince George.

Both Mack’s father and brother were also broadcasters.

Mack’s father Clarence Mack was a broadcaster in Calgary, Alta. and was inducted in the the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame. Byron MacGregor, Mack’s brother worked in radio in Ontario.

“I grew up in a broadcasting family, and grew up in radio and newsrooms,” Mack said.

Mack’s family has a strong sense of community involvement. His wife and three children are also involved in community projects.

“People are reluctant to acknowledge themselves when they do good things,” Mack said. “When you are looking in a mirror and can say ‘I’ve made a choice to help others,’ it’s the greatest award of all.”

Publisher, former cabinet minister bestowed honorary degrees

Royal Roads University bestowed honorary degrees on former federal Conservative cabinet minister Mary Collins and co-founder of Canada Wide Media, Peter Legge during the June 19 convocation.

Collins was the first woman in Parliament to hold the position of Associate Minister of National Defence. She introduced the first tobacco package labelling regulations as Minister of National Health and Welfare.

While running Canada Wide Media and its 55 titles, Legge is also an internationally-renowned speaker on leadership and business topics as well as a generous philanthropist.

Both Legge and Collins are members of the Royal Roads University Fellows Council, established in 2008 to guide the university.

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