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A Sense of Vocation

by Helen Hunley

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Throughout the campaign I had considered the possibility of serving as a member of the Opposition. It seemed reasonable that the duties could be handled easily and I could still manage my business, which by this time dealt only with general insurance. After all, as mayor, a great deal of my time had been spent on public service and I was financially secure but certainly not rich! My greatest insurance was my capable and trusted employees who would manage my affairs in my absence. I counted on my business to be my pension plan when the time came to retire. An unexpected call came from Peter Lougheed – then Premier-elect – inviting me to visit him in Calgary to discuss the future of the Province and our role in its development. How exciting! What a pay off for the $2 investment made some time ago. The hard work and anxiety of those many months faded into the background, only to be replaced by more hard work in a different arena. I was invited by Peter Lougheed to become a member of the cabinet (officially called Executive Council) as a Minister without portfolio with a variety of assignments. In September 1973 I was privileged to become Alberta’s first Solicitor-General and, it was subsequently brought to my attention, the first woman in Alberta to hold a portfolio. The news media questioned the appointment because I did not have a legal background. To this I replied: “Legal advice I can buy. I bring a lifetime of common sense thinking and experience to this job.” Rather a flip comment but on analysis it still seems to be correct.

In 1975 I was re-elected and became Minister of Social Services and Community Health. Along the way I had learned to operate on the “need to know” philosophy. Despite our best efforts most of us cannot know everything. I directed my efforts to learning thoroughly everything I needed to know. All else was, no matter how interesting and rewarding, luxury learning. I was fortunate again in my career in having around me capable and trusted employees. We were part of a team. I have always been a good team player, and it was not hard to recruit other good team players. The responsibilities of this new portfolio were arduous as were the hours required to “get the job done well.” The support of my family and friends, along with my constituents, made it all worthwhile. Many new programs were designed and many of them were implemented. It was exciting and gratifying to be a part of this government which was pragmatic, dedicated and ethical. Our principles and standards were high and our goal was the betterment of our province and our community. What a fortunate time for me to be able to be involved at such an important level.

Wear and tear on my energy and nerves was extreme, so in 1979 I decided somewhat readily to take my retirement. By that time I had been in public life almost one-third of my lifetime – not counting the years of military or community volunteer service. So, to Rocky Mountain House I returned, and, I thought, to a leisurely life. However, my years of experience were not overlooked and I was often called upon to serve on various committees in both government and the private sector. Although the remuneration was modest, sometimes nil, I accepted these assignments willingly. It saddens me today that there is a prevailing public attitude of derision about people with extensive public service experience being asked to use their expertise by serving on commissions or committees. Perhaps occasionally someone does enter into additional service with remuneration being the main motive. In my opinion and experience, however, that is a rarity and “public service” is the paramount driving force.

In 1985 I was again invited to serve my country and province, this time as Lieutenant-Governor. What an honour it was to represent the Queen. What a responsibility it was to protect the office while making it meaningful to people. The responsibilities of the office are much greater than is realized by most of the public. However, if no constitutional crisis arises, the true worth and meaning of the office is not usually recognized. For those who decry the monarchy as being no longer relevant, may I suggest they consider what alternative they would choose. I was often quite awestruck by the honour which was bestowed upon me, and I recall thinking as I was driven to Buckingham Palace for a private audience with the Queen: “What is this kid from Rocky Mountain House doing here?”

Finally, in 1991, I really retired “full-time” and I now content myself with viewing from the sidelines, but never ignoring, the events occurring around me. In my retirement I hope to be remembered as someone whose word “was as good as her bond” and who always tried to give it her best shot! So, finally, I am able without any sense of guilt, to react to the final words of the poem from which I quoted earlier:

The breeze went sighing across the land
Tossing the grass to and fro
A rainbow held out its shining hand
So what could I do but laugh and go.

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From: Aspenland 1998 — Local Knowledge and Sense of Place
Edited by: David J. Goa and David Ridley
Published by: The Central Alberta Regional Museums Network (CARMN) with the assistance of the Provincial Museum of Alberta and the Red Deer and District Museum.