A. Douglas Moores, BCOM, LL.B. '71, QC
Douglas Moores, of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, is an outstanding graduate of Dalhousie Law. School. Rarely has a nominee for the Weldon Award received so many letters of support from peers and fellow alumni. The breadth of his contributions to his profession, community and country are truly amazing in its scope.
Douglas Moores received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie in 1971. He is the senior partner in the law firm of Moores, Andrews in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1984, and appointed a Master of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland in 1997. However, in addition to his professional associations, for close to thirty years, Douglas Moores has demonstrated commitment and leadership to innumerable community minded activities, including service organizations, charitable organizations, and involvement in municipal, provincial and federal endeavours. It is in recognition of these exceptional contributions that this award is given.
The many and varied activities to which Douglas Moores has given generously of his time and talents cannot be captured in this brief citation. A few illustrations may give some sense of a life of commitment extending beyond the normal challenges of the life of the typical practitioner. His involvement with amateur sports is exemplified by his role as a minor hockey coach for a fifteen year period, during which time he acted as the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association’s representative in the then Soviet Union to attend seminars for the development of skills for Canadian hockey coaches. In addition, he served as Vice-President of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador (the governing body of amateur sport for the Province). The broader community benefited from his service to numerous hospital boards, associations and foundations. He was, for example, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Trinity Conception Regional Health Board and Carbonear General Hospital, and a Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Hospital Association. His volunteer work for the cultural community is demonstrated by his involvement as a Director of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
Douglas Moores was directly involved in two very significant events in the Province of Newfoundland. In 1988 he was appointed Chair of the Host committee responsible for the 1992 Provincial Summer Games. The Games were recognized as the best ever held in the Province, and Douglas Moores, and his Committee, raised surplus funds which established a perpetual scholarship fund to provide money to deserving students to attend post-secondary institutions.
In 1993 Douglas Moores was asked by the Government of Canada, and the Province of Newfoundland, to arrange and organize the visit of the vessel “Matthew” for the 500th anniversary celebrations of the Province. On June 24, 1997, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince Philip, together with 40,000 other visitors, were present at Bonavista to mark the arrival of the vessel from Bristol, England. The “Matthew’s” visit was the most successful tourism initiative ever undertaken in the history of the Province. Prime Minister Jean Chretien noted the event as one of “national significance.”
Douglas Moores has also demonstrated loyalty, commitment and dedication to Dalhousie Law School. As Class Agent for his Law School Class he has been relentless in raising funds for the School, and, he has been a true ambassador in maintaining and promoting its reputation whenever the opportunity has presented itself.
Douglas Moores has received numerous awards and recognitions. He is a recipient of the Certificate of Merit from the Fitness and Amateur Sport branch of the Government of Canada. In 1992 he was awarded the Canada 125 Medal for his contributions to his community and Canada. In 1996 he was the recipient of the Eaton Honour Society Award of Memorial University of Newfoundland for outstanding service to that institution. In 1998 he was name “Alumnus of the Year” by Memorial University in recognition of his contributions to the Province and University.
Douglas Moores is described by his friends as a person of considerable intellect, high integrity and character. Affectionately known as “Plum”, he is also said to be personable, gregarious and possessed of great charm. We are proud to claim Douglas Moores as one of our own. For his innumerable contributions to his community, province, country, and Dalhousie Law School, we can think of no one more fitting to be the winner of the Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service for the year 2000.