50 year anniversary for national champs

With the Scotties Tournament of Hearts set to begin this weekend in Red Deer, Alberta, it seems a fitting time to honour one of Kimberley’s most storied teams.

The Ina Hansen rink, comprised of Ina Hansen, third Ada Callas, second Isobel Leith and lead Mae Shaw, won the Canadian National Championship twice, in 1962 and 1964. In those days the tournament was known as the Diamond D. The rink also won the Dominion Seniors in 1973.

Lead Mae Shaw died in 2000, and the family was in possession of all of her memorabilia from the championship days.

Son Bill Shaw was in town this week to bring the gift of her championship sweater, pins and photographs. The display will be hung at the Kimberley Curling Club.

It was gifted through the Kimberley Heritage Museum, which curator Marie Stang says is the best way to deal with any artifact donation.

“We document exactly what we have, where it came from and its condition, and then we can loan it out to the curling rink,” she said.

Gord Jenkins from the Kimberley Curling Club is delighted with the gift, which will join other displays of Kimberley’s curling history at the club.

“It’s satisfying to see it altogether,” said Shaw. “It’s been 50 years this year since they first won the nationals, so this is a perfect time to hand it over to the Kimberley Curling Club.”

Story Credit: Carolyn Grant, “The Bulletin” from Kimberley