
Genealogist and Victoria Times Colonist editor-in-chief Dave Obee. Photo: Darren Stone,
Times Colonist.
Popular Canadian genealogist Dave Obee, who is also editor-in-chief of the Times Colonist in Victoria, British Columbia, will receive the 2017 Bill Good Award at the 31st Annual Jack Webster Awards Dinner on October 12, 2017.
The Bill Good Award honours a BC journalist, broadcaster, builder or educator who has made a significant contribution to the field of journalism or the community-at-large.
Since 1972, Mr. Obee has been a journalist, and at the Times Colonist since 1997. He is a founder of the Times Colonist annual book sale, which has raised a total of $4.5 million for community’s schools and literacy organizations.
Mr. Obie is equally well known for his genealogical and historical research activities, having written a dozen books that share his knowledge of genealogical tools. As well, he has given more than 600 talks around the world about his passion. A member of the board of Canada’s History Society, Mr. Obee has received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award and an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Victoria in recognition of his work as a journalist and historian.
Genealogists will know Mr. Obee as the curator of CanGenealogy, a website chock full of essential online resources for Canadian genealogy research, and the author of several books, including Counting Canada: A Genealogical Guide to the Canadian Census.
The Jack Webster Foundation was established in 1986 to recognize excellence in British Columbia journalism in honour of legendary BC reporter Jack Webster. The Bill Good Award was created in 2014 to honour Bill Good on his retirement from 50 years as a broadcast journalist at CTV, CKNW, BCTV (now Global BC) and CBC.
You can read more about Mr. Obee in the Times Colonist article, Editor-in-chief to receive major Webster award.