WILL CAMERON BE ORKNEY'S 'CITIZEN OF THE YEAR?

Big Brother winner Cameron Stout will be up against cannabis campaigner Biz
Ivol in an award ceremony with a difference tomorrow night (Thursday). The
unlikely duo, alongside charity worker John Muir, music teacher Jean
Leonard and ferries operator Andrew Banks, are in the running for the first
ever 'Orkney Citizen of the Year' award, sponsored by Orkney Islands
Council, Orkney Today and Highland Park.

Two awards will be presented in the St Magnus Centre in Kirkwall tomorrow
night (February 19). The 'Citizen of the Year' award, for the person who,
in the eyes of the Orkney people, has been an ambassador for Orkney and the
'Unsung Hero of Orkney' award, for someone who has shown great dedication
and service outwith the glare of publicity.

The first is determined by votes cast by Orcadians, the second through
nominations from Orcadians, assessed by a panel of judges. There are 20
nominations for the second award, which will be presented by Orkney Islands
Council Convener Stephen Hagan.

But it is the Citizen of the Year award that should spark the most interest
off Orkney. Cameron, from Harray, who is hot favourite to lift the trophy
said: "I'm surprised and amazed at being nominated. There are so many
people who have more worthy causes. People in Orkney seem to be as thrilled
by my whole year as I am. This is great."

Cannabis campaigner and MS sufferer Biz Ivol, from South Ronaldsay, is
perhaps the dark horse. Her high profile court case last summer grabbed the
national headlines and made her name synonymous with the Legalise Cannabis
campaign. Shocked at being nominated, Ms Ivol said: "It is obviously nice
of people to have thought of me and put my name forward. A lot of people
know that the government are still not telling the truth when it comes to
the affects of cannabis."

Andrew Banks, founder and managing director of Pentland Ferries, from St
Margaret's Hope, is seen as a hero to many for his entrepreneurial skills
in showing that an Orcadian can run a daily transport service to the
Scottish Mainland against fierce competition.

Retired music teacher Jean Leonard, from Stromness, is well-known in music
and learning circles in Orkney. She founded the Orkney Traditional Music
Project, which encourages young people to learn traditional tunes and
instruments like accordion and fiddle. She said: "I have such a super life
and get so much back from all I do, that this is just icing on the cake. It
is, perhaps, unfair that I get all this extra praise for something I love
doing.

John Muir, from Holm, is well known to most Orcadians for his work with the
Macmillan Cancer Appeal, the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee, and the
local community in Holm. On being nominated, John said: "I am absolutely
gob smacked! I've never given any thought to gaining anything for what I
do. I enjoy doing what I do otherwise I wouldn't do it. Stephen Hagan,
Convener of Orkney Islands Council, who are one of the main sponsors behind
the event, described how hard the job was going to be. He said:

"We are delighted to sponsor this event which highlights the valuable
contribution that so many people make to life in Orkney. It is a difficult
task to pick a winner from such a list of deserving candidates for 'Unsung
Hero of the year'. I believe that they are all winners."

Orkney Today editor John Ross Scott, organiser of the competition, told of
his excitement about the forthcoming awards. He said: "This has been a
really worthwhile project and I was delighted by the response for
nominations for both categories which came from across Orkney. There were
some really heart wrenching stories involved in the 'Unsung Hero' category.
I just wish there were more awards to give out there.

He added: "I'm also pleased that Orkney Islands Council has decided to join
forces with Highland Park and Orkney Today to bolster the credence of the
first 'Orkney Citizen of the Year' awards, which will be staged annually.
Highland Park Distillery manager Russell Anderson said: "We are delighted
to be playing a part in this venture. Awarding credit to Orcadians who make
their mark in Orkney and beyond in this way is something that is long overdue."