Councillor Johanna Kwakernaak

As a very young child I came to the Annapolis Valley from Holland. I lived outside of Middleton, graduated from Middleton Regional High School. After earning a Diploma in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University. I returned to Middleton and worked as a Physiotherapist at Soldiers Memorial Hospital. As many of my generation, I went west to Alberta, While working initially in Edmonton and then in Calgary, I earned a Degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Alberta and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Calgary. I retired in 2009 from the position of Director of Clinical Support Services with Calgary Health Services.

In January 2010 I moved with my late husband Bert Deyell and three greyhounds to Berwick. We came to Berwick so I could, not only be closer to family, but also so that I could return to my roots as a gardener.

I have been a lifelong volunteer and retirement gave me an opportunity to become very involved in my new community. My past and current volunteer experiences have provided me with incredible opportunities to gain additional knowledge and skills and understand how working together can result in amazing achievements.

My volunteer experience is diverse from volunteering with my profession in roles such as President of The Alberta Physiotherapy Association (X2,) Provincial Director on the Canadian Physiotherapy Board, and Member and Chair of the College of Physical Therapists Discipline Committee, to participating on Parents Associations with my daughters' Band, Choir and Dance, and since retiring volunteering on; the Western Kings Community Health Board, the Kingston Greenwood Mental Health Association, at Evangeline Club, as Treasurer and Executive Committee Member on the Kings County Seniors' Safety Society Board, as Director and Chair of the FarmWorks Investment Cooperative Board, with the Berwick Community Gardens Group, and on the Kings County Community Food Council.

I love living in Berwick with my Chocolate Lab, Bear. Berwick’s location as a middle point between my two daughters Kate and Amy is just an added benefit. Kate, her husband Andrew and my grandchildren live in England and my daughter Amy and husband Chris in Calgary.