Township of King, Ont. (May 1, 2026) — The Town of Aurora, King Township and the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville have been recognized with two Gold Level Hermes Creative Awards for their collaborative Aurora–Whitchurch–King War Memorial 100th Year Anniversary project, celebrating a century of remembrance, cooperation and community heritage.
Administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), the Hermes Creative Awards is one of the most respected competitions in the creative industry, honouring excellence in traditional and emerging media.
The municipalities received Gold awards in the categories of Team Achievement – Specific Project and Individual Achievement –Body of Work, recognizing the depth, quality and impact of the centennial initiatives.
“The Aurora–Whitchurch–King War Memorial stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance and joint collaboration. This recognition is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. I am incredibly proud of the thoughtful, creative and respectful way this memorial was commemorated, and grateful to our municipal partners, the Legions and community members who helped bring this important historical story to life,” said Mayor, Town of Aurora, Tom Mrakas.
“Receiving this international recognition affirms what our communities can achieve when working together. The AWM monument first erected in 1925 was the result of collective dedication, as residents came together to honour those who lost their lives from King, Aurora and Whitchurch. One hundred years later, that same collaborative spirit lives on in the 2025 exhibition, created through partnerships across our community to preserve, interpret, and share this history anew,” said Mayor, King Township, Steve Pellegrini.
“This initiative reflects what is possible when communities come together with a shared purpose. It honours not only those commemorated on the memorial, but also the collective effort to keep their legacy visible and meaningful in our communities today,” said Mayor, Stouffville, Iain Lovatt.
“We were honoured to contribute to this meaningful project alongside the Aurora Museum & Archives and the partner municipalities of Aurora, Whitchurch-Stouffville, and King. We approached the work with a deep sense of responsibility – striving to create a design that unified the various elements of the initiative, from the identity to the street banners and the on-site experience. Our design emphasized clarity and restraint – letting the history of the memorial and the individuals being remembered speak for themselves. It’s a collaboration we’re proud of, and we’re grateful to have helped bring this story to the community” said Shawn and Paola Rasmussen, Boulevard Design.
Originally unveiled in 1925, the Aurora–Whitchurch–King War Memorial—now known as the Aurora War Memorial—was constructed through a joint municipal effort to honour local residents who served and sacrificed during the First World War. One hundred years later, the three municipalities came together once again to mark this historic milestone through a series of commemorative projects and events.
Key components of the award-winning project included:
- An on-site exhibition displayed at Aurora War Memorial Peace Park from September to November 2025.
- A travelling exhibition, adapted from the on-site display, which continues to circulate throughout York Region.
- Commemorative street banners installed across Aurora, King and Whitchurch-Stouffville, bearing the names of those honoured on the War Memorial.
- A formal re-dedication and commemorative ceremony held on October 3, 2025, at the Aurora War Memorial Peace Park. The ceremony was led by the municipalities in partnership with Royal Canadian Legion Aurora Branch 385 and Royal Canadian Legion Stouffville Branch 459 and included community participation and a reception at the Aurora Legion with remarks from dignitaries.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the enduring spirit of cooperation among the three municipalities and local partners, and their shared commitment to preserving local history and honouring veterans. Through this collaborative commemoration, the legacy of those who served continues to be remembered and respected for generations to come.
For more information on the Aurora War Memorial, please visit auroramuseum.ca/exhibitionsgalleries/aurora-war-memorial-100th-anniversary. To learn more about the Hermes Creative Awards, please visit hermesawards.com.
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Media Contact(s)
Township of King
Andrea Gyarmati, Manager of Communications and Public Engagement
Township of King | Phone: 905-833-5321 | Email: media@king.ca