Michal Patterson — or Mikes for short — loves the ocean.
So when she heard about plans for what is now known as the Sidney’s Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea back in 2008, she jumped at the chance.
“I was signed on a year before they actually opened the aquarium,” says Patterson.
“I was helping my friend who was employed here as the side person to the director and when she was away I would then hop in,” she adds.
Fast forward to late December, which is when the 79-year-old reached 3,000 hours of volunteering. Patterson had lost track of the number of hours she had worked, so it came as a surprise.
“A year has gone by and I really wasn’t aware but I knew I was at 2,700 or 2,800 but I didn’t have any idea that I was at 3,000,” exclaims Patterson.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the centre really and having someone here for 3,000 hours is absolutely incredible,” says the centre’s director of learning Tina Kelly.
“Having her here has been such a blast, she is such a fun spark to be around,” adds Kelly.
Mikes has performed many different tasks over the years, from leading around school groups to feeding the fish and has made an immeasurable impact.
“She’s worked and supported so many different departments in the last many many years ever since we’ve been open,” says Kelly.
“It’s been a pleasure, it’s just been absolutely fabulous,” says Patterson.
“It gives me something really to do and the young people are very great,” adds Patterson.
As for when Mikes will throw in the towel?
“It’s still something I want to do as long as I can still climb the ladders…and carry the buckets. Some of the buckets are about 40 pounds that you’re carrying with water,’ says Patterson.
“I’m happy to do it, but my time will come,” says Patterson with a smile under her mask.
Cole Sorenson
