Stavely recognizes Brian Nelson as 2026 citizen of the year

By Rob Vogt
Brian Nelson is the 2026 Stavely Citizen of the Year.
The award was presented during the intermission of the annual Stavely Amateur Rodeo on Saturday, Aug. 22, by Tim Nelson, exalted ruler of the Stavely Elks, who look after the award.
He explained the citizen of the year award started as the Flanagan Citizen of the Year Award where it started out as the Sportman of Year. It became citizen of the year and is used as an honour to recognize some of the individuals who have helped create and maintain the community as an awesome place to live.
Nelson then turned his attention to this year’s recipient, holding the suspense as long as possible.
“He is a life-long resident of Stavely where he has dedicated thousands of hours as a lifelong volunteer.
“His commitment to serving others is not about recognition – it is to help to create a strong safe community.
“He is married and has two children that have also been raised in our community and five grandchildren some of which are also being raised here.”
Nelson said the recipient has been a member of the Stavely Elks for nearly 54 years when he joined at age 20. He has gone through the chairs twice and was exalted ruler in 2014, 2015 and then again in 2022. Currently he is in an executive position.
“(He is) consistently head chef for various catering events and when not the head chef he is in helping cook, set up and is usually the last one to leave the hall after standing at the dishwashing station for hours,” Nelson continued.
The recipient also helped with the Stavely Elks Parks committee.
“He plants and waters trees, fixes toilets, helps repair the hall, sells firewood, as well as the spring clean up and any number of other activities that make the parks stay vital,” Nelson said.
“He is usually the one to bring his tools and equipment to donate for the work bee and always brings his cargo trailer to the Elks Kiddies Picnic and movie in the park to haul tools, food, barbecue and whatever else.
The recipient has also been a member of the Stavely Odd Fellows for over 54 where he joined at age 19.
He has been noble grand, the secretary, the vice grand, the district deputy grand master and every other position in the lodge many times over.
He rarely misses meetings and helps at pancake breakfasts and cemetery work bees by bringing his tractor in to spread dirt or level gravestones. He is very active in Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of Alberta, where he still sits on many committees. He has worked his way up and taken on the highest position in the Grand Lodge of Alberta to be the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alberta.
The recipient was the president of the Stavely Agricultural Society when the new concrete floor, hockey boards, and piping for the artificial ice were installed in the Stavely Arena. His leadership and organization skills at that time helped make the project possible.
He was an active member of the museum board for over 20 years; an active member of the Stavely Education Foundation for over 20 years; and is a “spare” school bus driver.
Nelson said the recipient is the current councillor for the Municipal District of Willow Creek where he works to represent the interests of the residents and contribute to the growth and well being of the municipality.
“What truly sets this man apart is not just the number of organizations that he serves, but the consistency with which he steps forward whenever help is needed,” Nelson said. “He is humble, dependable and reliable. If I were to use one word to describe this man it is integrity. If he says he will help out – he does.
“He exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism, leadership and community pride in Stavely.
“I am proud to call him my best friend and my brother.”
With that, Brian Nelson made the long walk from the stands to the arena infield, where he was greeted by a big brotherly hug.
“This is pretty humbling,” Nelson said. “I’ve enjoyed this so much over the years.
“It’s a great community to be part of.”