Jennifer Payne of Parsons Pond was presented the Herbert D. Brett Lifetime Achievement Award by Dave Denine, minister responsible for the volunteer and non-profit sector. — Star photo by Cory Hurley

A lifetime of achievement is indeed a fitting description of the dedication and work Jennifer Payne has provided to community economic development on the Northern Peninsula.

The Parsons Pond woman was presented the 2009 Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Economic Development Association Herbert D. Brett Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday during the Community Economic Developers Awards luncheon in Corner Brook.

Since the mid 1970s, Payne has been involved in community and economic development through the Central Development Association, serving the communities of St. Paul’s north to Bellburns, and with the Red Ochre Board for the last 13 years.

Payne was overwhelmed by the recognition and lost for words upon receiving the award. It was obvious immediately how much it meant to her to be acknowledged in such a way.

“Oh my, I couldn’t believe it,” she told The Western Star following the ceremony at the Glynmill Inn. “After all the hard work, sometimes you don’t realize people appreciate the work you do, especially working at the grassroots. When you get something like this, it really hits home what I have done over the years.”

Payne said rural Newfoundland has faced many problems over the years, mainly through outmigration, but volunteers have done what they could to spark economic development, sometimes working with very few resources.

“When I started, all we had was an old typewriter,” she said. “Now there are computers and everything to support you, but I had nothing in the office. We didn’t even have a copier.”

Leading the way on many stimulus and educational initiatives, Sean St. George, executive director of the Red Ochre Board, said Payne developed a reputation as a proponent for not only getting the work done, but getting it done right. He admires her dedication to the community, acknowledging her role as a mentor to many board members and staff.

“She cared; that’s one of the biggest things,” he said. “As times changed, she changed with it. She always had her eye on helping the region and she was very committed as a volunteer and on staff. She was excellent to work with.”

Payne got started after recognizing the need for this kind of work in the community.

“I was always the type of person that liked to talk to people and help, especially at the grassroots,” she said. “ ... I still enjoy it. It’s challenging and I like people.”

One of her greatest accomplishments is establishing an Elderhostel (educational holiday) program on the Northern Peninsula, but at the end of the day, she takes greatest pride in what she has been able to offer to the people.

“Over the years I have had hundreds of students go through my office,” she said. “When I see somebody now and they have good jobs, they always come to speak to me, I think back to how glad I am they worked with me and were able to do these things with their life. That makes you feel good.”

Other award winners Friday, included Wade Bowers of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College (Leslie Harris Award for Excellence in Regional Development), Coast of Bays Corporation (Excellence in Partnerships), Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Memorial (Excellence in Fostering Entrepreneurship), Mariner Resource Opportunities Network Inc. (MRON) (Excellence in Best Practices), Academy Canada (Outstanding Private Sector Contribution to Regional Economic Development), and Happy Valley-Goose Bay Community Youth Network (Excellence in Youth Leadership).