Richard Spencer is Port Alberni's 2024 Citizen of the Year.

He accepted the award during the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce's Business Excellence Awards at the end of November. Spencer is manager of the Alberni Pacific Railway.

The Citizen of the Year award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond "whether in their professional role or as a volunteer to make a meaningful and positive impact on our community," said Arrowsmith Rotary Club member Major Michael Ramsay of the Salvation Army. Arrowsmith Rotary sponsored the award this year.

"They exemplify dedication to social, economic and environmental well-being, demonstrating integrity, compassion and a commitment to creating a thriving and inclusive community for all," Ramsay added.

Spencer is also known for the work he did at McLean Mill National Historic Site while working with the chamber of commerce. He started that role four years ago first as a contractor and then at McLean Mill. He left for Revelstoke in 2022 to work with Canadian Pacific Railway for six months before coming home and asking for his old job back. He now manages the APR.

"It's truly remarkable: from starting as a junior volunteer with the Alberni Pacific Railway as a teenager to now coordinating volunteers to restore train operations in the Valley," said Arrowsmith Rotary's Terry Deakin.

"After six years of silence on the tracks, his passion has been inspiring. His enthusiasm for the railway has helped hundreds of tourists from around the world explore and appreciate the Valley."

Spencer said he grew up riding the train out to McLean Mill. "I've been fascinated with trains since I was really young," he said. "I grew up with my great-grandma. She used to babysit me all the time and she lived right down from the railroad tracks. So I used to run out on the road and watch the steam train go by.

"Ever since then I grew up being absolutely fascinated by not necessarily trains in general, but specifically the train that our community has."

When Spencer was 13, APR volunteer Frank Holm invited him to the roundhouse to show him around. Spencer asked if he could be involved on the train. "We were doing conductor training stuff and the rest is history," he said.

"All I could do was follow the conductor around...but I had to be watched all the time. I was very lucky enough for the conductors to take a 13-year-old under their wing."

He started volunteering in 2018, which was the last year the steam train operated with a full run out to McLean Mill.

Spencer is also passionate about videography, and has won awards at the B.C. Student Film Festival in Vancouver.

He said he is grateful to receive the Citizen of the Year award, particularly because he is so young. "It means a lot to me being such a young person in such a small role in the community to be able to receive this award. 

"The railway and chamber of commerce and McLean Mill all play a very important, huge part of my life. I like to think it all plays a huge part in the community's life as well. I like to think I play a major part in the community."