After spending over 69 years writing and performing music, a Salmon Arm man has brought home what he believes to be the greatest honour in Canada.
Al Oster was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal on June 15 at Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna. The award was presented by Steven Point, the Lieutenant Governor of B.C., for Oster’s dedicated service to his peers, to his community and Canada.
And he couldn’t be happier.
Oster proudly shows off his new medal which displays the image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front and the dates of the diamond jubilee on the back.
Before moving to Salmon Arm, Oster, who has earned himself the nickname ‘Yukon Balladeer,’ spent many years recording the vibrant history and folklore that encompasses the Yukon and Klondike era. Through over 69 years of song writing, Oster has turned history, mysteries, stories of triumph and tragedy into a collection of over 70 songs.
His country/folk style has proven to be well received among his many fans, as generation after generation have listened to his emotional melodies on records, LPs, tapes, CDs, and now even YouTube.
Oster accepted the Yukon Heritage award in 1993 and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1999.
Now Oster has a diamond to add to the collection.
“I am running out of room on my wall to put them,” jokes the music pioneer.
“The Diamond Jubilee is the greatest honour you can receive in Canada, everything else just gravy added to it,” says Oster, referring to his long list of other awards.
“I need to put these in my scrapbook,” says Oster, whose grin never wavers.