Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory447

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1937-1990

Length: 00:05:53

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s discussion of the attitudes, energy and time commitment required for operating a seasonal business and needed for politics. He mentions the Nelson Avenue family home, still lived in by his mother

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s discussion of the attitudes, energy and time commitment required for operating a seasonal business and needed for politics. He mentions the Nelson Avenue family home, still lived in by his mother

Date Range: 1937-1990

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012

Length: 00:05:53

Subjects: Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Officials - Elected Officials

Geographic Access: Nelson Avenue

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 14, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 1:34:40

Interviewee Name: Lewarne, William A. "Bill"

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Bill Lewarne

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_7.mp3

Simnett political papers series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82735

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956-1998

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: Series

Physical Description: 7 files of textual records: ill. (some col.)

Scope and Content: Series consists of records related to CFF, Tommy Douglas, the Century Park Museum Association, Burnaby Advisory Planning Commission, NDP, and Elections BC.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956-1998

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Series: Simnett political papers series

Physical Description: 7 files of textual records: ill. (some col.)

Description Level: Series

Accession Number: 2013-22

Scope and Content: Series consists of records related to CFF, Tommy Douglas, the Century Park Museum Association, Burnaby Advisory Planning Commission, NDP, and Elections BC.

Subjects: Elections; Officials - Elected Officials; Government - Local Government; Government - Provincial Government

Names: Simnett, Hazel; Douglas, Tommy; Burnaby Advisory Planning Commission; Co-operative Commonwealth Federation "CCF"; New Democratic Party

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of series; Simnett political papers series

25th Anniversary as an elected Member

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3719

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 22.9 x 18.1 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of Harold Winch holding letters congratulating him on his twenty-fifth anniversary of holding elected office, first as an MLA in BC and then as an MP in the federal government. Winch served in both positions as a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and then…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Series: Harold E. Winch photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 22.9 x 18.1 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of Harold Winch holding letters congratulating him on his twenty-fifth anniversary of holding elected office, first as an MLA in BC and then as an MP in the federal government. Winch served in both positions as a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and then the New Democratic Party (NDP) which succeeded it.

Subjects: Officials; Government - Federal Government

Names: Winch, Harold Edward; Co-operative Commonwealth Federation "CCF"; New Democratic Party

Accession Code: BV013.12.76

Date: 1958

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: See BV013.12.17: Guests [anniversary and birthday guest book].

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook Item BV013.12.11

Images

25th Anniversary as an elected Member, 1958 thumbnail

Committee For Princess Elizabeth Visit, 1951

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55617

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of (l to r) Charles MacSorley, Patricia Wilks and Gerald Charlton, members of the Committee responsible for the organization of the Royal Visit of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1951.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-011

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of (l to r) Charles MacSorley, Patricia Wilks and Gerald Charlton, members of the Committee responsible for the organization of the Royal Visit of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1951.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.; Wilks, Patricia; Charlton, Gerald

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan Studios

Notes: Title based on caption; Photographer's stamp on verso

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Committee For Princess Elizabeth Visit, 1951, 1951 thumbnail

Councillors and Wives

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55623

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1954

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of four unidentified woman standing side by side. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Councilers [sic] + wives 1954."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1954

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-017

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of four unidentified woman standing side by side. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Councilers [sic] + wives 1954."

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Davis, W.T.

Notes: Title based on caption; Photographer's stamp on verso

Images

Don Jamieson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46190

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Don Jamieson, Alderman for the Burnaby Citizen's Association from 1958 to 1961.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1078

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Don Jamieson, Alderman for the Burnaby Citizen's Association from 1958 to 1961.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: Jamieson, Donald H; Burnaby Citizens Association

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Edmonds School United Nations flag

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34816

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Edmonds School United Nations flag. Four young women and two men are unfolding it. Identified: Jack Davy (left) and Bill Good (right).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Helen Davy subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 138-007

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1985-08

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Edmonds School United Nations flag. Four young women and two men are unfolding it. Identified: Jack Davy (left) and Bill Good (right).

Subjects: Symbols - Flags; Officials

Names: Davy, Jack; Edmonds Community School; Good, Bill

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan, Ray

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on back of photograph reads, "Ray Allan / The Allan Studios / 3763 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC / Phone: Dex. 5766"

Geographic Access: Edmonds Street

Street Address: 7641 Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Images

Edmonds School United Nations flag

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34817

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Edmonds School United Nations flag and officials. Identified (on back of photograph): Jack Davy, C.G. Brown, and Bill Good.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Helen Davy subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 138-008

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1985-08

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Edmonds School United Nations flag and officials. Identified (on back of photograph): Jack Davy, C.G. Brown, and Bill Good.

Subjects: Symbols - Flags; Officials

Names: Brown, Clifton Gilbert, 1889-1960; Davy, Jack; Edmonds Community School; Good, Bill

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan, Ray

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on back of photograph reads, "Ray Allan / The Allan Studios / 3763 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC / Phone: Dex. 5766"

Geographic Access: Edmonds Street

Street Address: 7641 Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Images

George D. McLean

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46056

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1948 and 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of George D. McLean, who was a Burnaby council member in 1948.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1948 and 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-944

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of George D. McLean, who was a Burnaby council member in 1948.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: McLean, George D.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

George D. McLean, [between 1948 and 1959] thumbnail

George Isherwood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45715

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1950 and 1953]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of George A. Usherwood. He was a member of Burnaby's city council from 1950 to 1953.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1950 and 1953]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-609

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of George A. Usherwood. He was a member of Burnaby's city council from 1950 to 1953.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: Isherwood, George A.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

George Isherwood, [between 1950 and 1953] thumbnail

Gerald Charlton

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46092

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1951 and 1956]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gerald Charlton, Burnaby council member from 1951 to 1956.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1951 and 1956]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-980

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gerald Charlton, Burnaby council member from 1951 to 1956.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: Charlton, Gerald

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Jennings, B.C.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Gerald Charlton

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46093

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1951 and 1956]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gerald Charlton, Burnaby council member from 1951 to 1956.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1951 and 1956]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-981

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gerald Charlton, Burnaby council member from 1951 to 1956.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: Charlton, Gerald

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory478

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1956-1990

Length: 00:07:05

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Commi…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Committee (BBC), his election to Burnaby Council in 1972 with BVA, and his membership in and work for the federal NDP

Date Range: 1956-1990

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263

Length: 00:07:05

Names: Emmott, Alan H

Subjects: Persons - Volunteers; Officials - Aldermen and Councillors

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 19, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 1:31:44

Interviewee Name: Gordon, Merrill

Interview Location: unknown

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_7.mp3

Interview with Richard Liu

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20283

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (153 min., 33 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (152 min., 59 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Richard Liu conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 11, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:26:39 Richard Liu shares biographical information about himself and his family in China. He talks about his family being forced…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (153 min., 33 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (152 min., 59 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Richard Liu Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: September 11, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:33:33 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together into one track and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Richard Liu conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 11, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:26:39 Richard Liu shares biographical information about himself and his family in China. He talks about his family being forced out by the communist regime in the early ‘50s and their experiences immigrating to Hong Kong, Europe and Canada. 00:26:40 - 00:32:59 Richard talks about his parents’ experiences living in Toronto, Victoria and Burnaby and shares some of his father’s business accomplishments including establishing the first direct flight to Beijing in 1987 and the first sister city between China and Canada. 00:33:00 – 01:13:59 Richard talks about living in Burnaby and his educational experiences at Thomas More Collegiate. He recalls his experience of travelling to North Korea in 1988 and being a student at Peking University in Beijing during the student-led demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. 01:14:00 – 01:26:16 Richard talks about his education and reflects on how his experiences in Beijing influenced his education and career choices including working in the Prime Minister’s office on trade missions to China and talks about the importance of leaning French. 01:26:17 – 01:48:35 Richard shares his memories and experiences of; being on the Canadian Paralympic Committee during the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in China, supporting Rick Hansen during his visit to China for the 25th anniversary of the Man in Motion World Tour and working with Team Canada in China for the 2022 Olympic Games. 01:48:36 – 01:52:22 Richard talks about his life in Burnaby after moving back from China in 2014 and the changes he’s noticed since being away. Richard talks about his involvement with St. John Ambulance, his role as the Honorary Brigade Division President and his role as Heritage Commissioner for the City of Burnaby. 02:14:32 – 02:29:27 Richard talks about his investiture to the Order of Saint John in 2023 and reflects on the accomplishments of his great uncle Dr. Shin-Shu Liu (China’s first Ambassador to Canada). 02:29:28 – 02:32:59 In closing Richard imparts some words of wisdom for future generations.

History: Interviewee biography: Richard N. Liu was born in 1970 in Toronto and raised in British Columbia. Richard's family has distinguished Canada-China ties for three generations. His Great-Uncle, Dr. Liu Shih-shun, was China's first Ambassador to Canada in 1942 and his father, Dr. Liu Dun-ren, built relations in education, culture and tourism for three decades including establishing the first Twin Sister City between Canada and China with Victoria and Suzhou in 1980. Richard's maternal great-grandfather, Dr. Wu Han-chi (1872-1913) played an active role in uprisings that shaped the future of modern China, was an elected member of the lower house of the first formal parliament in 1913 and was assassinated on political grounds. Dr. Wu's daughter, Dr. Wu Chi-mei served Dr. Sun Yat-sen, was elected as a Guangzhou City Councillor and visited Vancouver in 1929 and 1932. After graduating from St. Thomas More Collegiate in Vancouver, Richard Liu moved to China to begin his studies at Peking University but in 1989, following the Tiananmen Square protest and massacre, he was evacuated from China and returned to Canada. While back in Canada, Liu completed a BA in East Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia and in 1993, he returned to China to continue his Chinese studies at Peking University and continued to live in China for twenty years. In 2008, Richard worked as Team Canada’s Attaché for the Paralympic Summer Games that took place in Beijing. In 2014, Liu returned to Canada and made his home in Burnaby with his wife and two children. In 2022, Liu returned to Beijing to serve as Mission Staff member for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics. Richard has also played a leading role with the Terry Fox Run, Special Olympics and Rick Hansen's visit to Beijing in 2011. Liu’s areas of expertize include; public relations, diplomacy, major events organization and education. Liu works as an advisor in East Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia and is a MA Candidate at Peking University. Richard founded the Canadian Alumni Network that connects over 16,000 alumni in China who’ve attended Canada's post-secondary institutions. Liu has been a commissioner with the City of Burnaby’s Heritage Commission (2018-2023) and sits on various boards advising companies and organizations on a variety of sectors pertaining to Asia. In 2019, Liu was appointed the Honorary Brigade Division President for St. John Ambulance and was among 13 UBC Alumni to be recognized and awarded the 2018-2019 UBC Alumni Builder Award “For his service, dedication, and contribution to UBC and its alumni community. For his long record of service fostering connections with alumni and students in Beijing and Asia as well as dedication to mentoring students in the Faculty of Arts.” On June 24 2023, Richard was formally invested into the Order of St. John, one of five national orders in the Canadian Honours System. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Migration; Officials; Education; Protests and Demonstrations; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Sports; Travel; Religions - Christianity

Names: Canadian Paralympic Committee; Chak, Dr. Po Tin; Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC; Liu, Richard N.; Liu, Dr. Dun-ren; Liu, Dr. Shih-Shun; Gigli, Beniamino; Hansen, Richard Marvin "Rick"; Olympic Games; Paralympic Games; Peking University; St. John Ambulance; St. Thomas More Collegiate; Tiananmen Square; University of British Columbia

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Accession Code: BV023.16.17

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0017_006

Audio Tracks

Interview with Richard Liu, [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0017_004.mp3

James H. Edwards

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45223

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 19.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby lawyer James H. Edwards, who was the Red Cross Campaign Chairman for Burnaby and ran in the 1956 provincial election as a Liberal Party candidate. Later he served on the Burnaby Council from 1959 to 1962 and again from 1964 to 1965 as a Burnaby Citizen's Associaton Alderman.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 19.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-119

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby lawyer James H. Edwards, who was the Red Cross Campaign Chairman for Burnaby and ran in the 1956 provincial election as a Liberal Party candidate. Later he served on the Burnaby Council from 1959 to 1962 and again from 1964 to 1965 as a Burnaby Citizen's Associaton Alderman.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: Edwards, James H.; Burnaby Citizens Association

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Malcolm J. Harper

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45208

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1959

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 4.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Malcolm J. Harper when he was an Aldermanic candidate. He served on the Burnaby Council from 1960 to 1963.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1959

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 4.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-104

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Malcolm J. Harper when he was an Aldermanic candidate. He served on the Burnaby Council from 1960 to 1963.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: Harper, Malcolm J.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Paul Seifner

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46222

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957, published October 28, 1959

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 4.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Paul Seifner, Burnaby councillor from 1958 to 1959.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957, published October 28, 1959

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 4.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1110

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Paul Seifner, Burnaby councillor from 1958 to 1959.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: Seifner, Paul

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Paul Seifner, 1957, published October 28, 1959 thumbnail

Police Magistrate George A. Grant

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36314

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1942 and 1954]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm, mounted on board 25 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of George A. Grant seated in his chambers and wearing his judicial gown at the time that he was a Police Magistrate and a Juvenille Court Judge.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1942 and 1954]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: George Grant subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm, mounted on board 25 x 30.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 243-034

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1990-06

Scope and Content: Photograph of George A. Grant seated in his chambers and wearing his judicial gown at the time that he was a Police Magistrate and a Juvenille Court Judge.

Subjects: Officials - Judges

Names: Grant, George Alford

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying

Images

Police Magistrate George A. Grant, [between 1942 and 1954] thumbnail

Union of British Columbia Municipalities

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35942

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby delegates to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) meeting in Victoria. They are standing on the steps of the Empress Hotel.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.4 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-802

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby delegates to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) meeting in Victoria. They are standing on the steps of the Empress Hotel.