2026
White Rock Library, White Rock, BC, Sunday, April 12, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, 15342 Buena Vista Ave, Presented by the Green Party. Open to the public.
The public is invited to a talk based on my latest book Walrus, The Remarkable Life of Eco-Warrior David Garrick, published by Ronsdale Press, Vancouver. I will be giving a PowerPoint pictorial presentation based on the book, that describes the life of this incredibly dedicated environmental activist, who participated in Greenpeace’s inaugural whale and seal campaigns, and spent many years protecting the province from nuclear power and uranium mine development. Much of Garrick’s fascinating work saving the planet was behind the scenes and through his life story, the extent of his amazing contributions is revealed.
Presentation and book event, “Walrus, the Remarkable Life of Eco-Warrior David Garrick”. In Alert Bay at the Legion, April 19 from 1 – 4. I’ll be giving a PowerPoint presentation followed by question time and book signing with light snacks provided.
Book signing events:
Volume One Bookstore, Saturday, April 25, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm in Duncan, 149 Kenneth Street, V9L 1N5
Coho Books, Campbell River, April 25 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at 990a Shoppers Row
Fireside Books in Parksville, Saturday, May 2, 12 to 3:00 pm, 464 Island Hwy E, #1. Meet the author!
Private function for NOVA members only: Tuesday, May 5, 11:00 am, Union Club building, 805 Gordon Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1Z6.
I will be giving a PowerPoint pictorial presentation based on my latest book, Walrus, The Remarkable Life of Eco-Warrior David Garrick, published by Ronsdale Press, that describes the life of this incredibly dedicated environmental activist, who participated in Greenpeace’s inaugural whale and seal campaigns, and spent many years protecting the province from nuclear power and uranium mine development.
I’m presenting a PowerPoint talk about the life of David (Walrus) Garrick, based on my new book Walrus, the Remarkable Life of Eco-Warrior David Garrick at the Campbell River Library Saturday, May 23, 10:30a.m., sponsored by Coho Books.
You are invited to the official ‘Walrus’ book launch: Book Warehouse, Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 to 9:00pm at 4118 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P7. RSVP recommended. Visit: www.blackbondbooks.com/events
Uchuck III cruise to Friendly Cove offered through Wells Gray Tours. Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, via Strathcona Provincial Park to Gold River and back to Campbell River
Once again I will join passengers on a Wells Gray tour in Campbell River to head to Gold River for an overnight stay via Strathcona Park, then board the Uchuck III for a cruise to historic Friendly Cove (Yuquot). I’ll provide commentary on the Park’s history along the route. Once on board the Uchuck III, and while walking around Friendly Cove, I will tell the intriguing tale of the Nootka Crisis and discuss the Mowachat First Nation’s occupation of the region. Upon our return to Campbell River, a tour of the Museum at Campbell River is scheduled.
2025
Saturday, April 12 at 12:00pm, The Book Shelf, Port McNeill BC Presentation of two stories in one, based on my two books – Yorke Island and the Uncertain War, and A Journey Back to Nature, a history of Strathcona Provincial Park.
Friday, February 28 at 2:00pm, Berwick Comox Valley, 1700 Comox Ave, Comox, BC The Nootka Crisis – Spain or Britain? This talk explains the events that led up to the Nootka Crisis of 1789 at today’s Yuquot (Friendly Cove) in Nootka Sound, using maps and several images sketched by ship’s artists such as John Webber and Jose Cardero.
Thursday, November 27 at 1:00pm, Probus Strathcona Meeting, Comox Legion. The Nootka Crisis – Spain or Britain? This talk explains the events that led up to the Nootka Crisis of 1789 at today’s Yuquot (Friendly Cove) in Nootka Sound, using maps and several images sketched by ship’s artists such as John Webber and Jose Cardero.
Berwick Campbell River, Sunday January 12 at 2:00pm: Presented a PowerPoint pictorial talk about Strathcona Park’s history.
Berwick Comox , Friday, January 10 at 2:00pm: Presented a PowerPoint pictorial talk about Strathcona Park’s history.
2024
Berwick Comox , November 10 at 2:00pm: It’s a Maritime War! The boats and men that served the BC coast during WWII
Berwick Royal Oak, Victoria November 6: It’s a Maritime War! The boats and men that served the BC coast during WWII
Berwick House, Victoria, November 8: The Fort at Yorke Island.
Tuesday, September 24 at 7:00pm, Courtenay District Museum & Archives https://www.courtenaymuseum.ca/contact-us/
It’s a Maritime War! The boats and men that served the BC coast during WWII
Sunday, September 15 to Monday, September 16, tour of Strathcona Provincial Park and Uchuck III cruise to Zeballos offered through Wells Gray Tours.
Once again I will join Wells Gray travellers in Campbell River who are on their way to Gold River via Strathcona Park. We’ll briefly tour the Park, then overnight in Gold River. Monday morning we’ll board the Uchuck III for a four hour cruise to Zeballos and I will discuss Nootka Sound history on the way. This group will disembark at Zeballos.
Please contact me through this site at cathgilb (at) telus.net if your group is interested in having me come to do a pictorial presentation. Note: substituting the word ‘at’ for the symbol @.
Strathcona Provincial Park with Wells Gray Tours
May 14 – a bus tour from Campbell River with commentary on the area’s history along Highway 28, following the Campbell River, to Strathcona Provincial Park to take two short hikes and complete the tour with lunch at Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre.
Orca Probus, Courtenay BC
Tuesday, January 9 at 2:00pm: Presenting a PowerPoint pictorial talk about Strathcona Park’s history.
2023
Campbell River Community Centre, Christmas Fair
Saturday, December 2, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Will be a vendor at the market, selling books A Journey Back to Nature and Yorke Island.
Captain Cook Society AGM via Zoom
Sunday, November 12, 12:00pm: Presenting a PowerPoint pictorial talk about the history of Nootka Sound involving Captain James Cook, Captain George Vancouver, Captain Juan Franscisco de la Bodega y Quadra and the powerful Mowachaht chief Maquinna.
Gold River Literary Society, Gold River BC, 325 Nimpkish Dr.
Wednesday, November 8, 4:00pm: Presenting a PowerPoint pictorial talk about Strathcona Park’s history.
Rotary Club, Duncan BC
Monday, October 23, 11:30am: Presenting a PowerPoint pictorial talk about Strathcona Park’s history.
Tahsis Literary Society, Tahsis BC
Monday, October 16, 7:00pm: Presenting a PowerPoint pictorial talk about Strathcona Park’s history.
2022
Sunday, September 18 to Tuesday, September 20, tour of Strathcona Provincial Park and Uchuck III cruise to Zeballos offered through Wells Gray Tours.
Once again I will join Wells Gray travellers in Campbell River who are on their way to Gold River via Strathcona Park. We’ll briefly tour the Park, then overnight in Gold River. Monday morning we’ll board the Uchuck III for a four hour cruise to Zeballos and I will discuss Nootka Sound history on the way. This group will disembark at Zeballos. https://www.wellsgraytours.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Vancouver-Island-with-Small-Ships.pdf
Morning/afternoon tour of Strathcona Provincial Park offered through Wells Gray Tours.
I will be joining this bus tour in Campbell River Friday, May 20 and accompanying travellers west towards Gold River on Highway 28. We pass the Haig-Brown House, the entrance to Elk Falls and Strathcona Park Lodge on our way. We’ll take two lovely short walking trails in the park: Lupin Falls and Lady Falls, then back to Campbell River. On our travels I will discuss the history of the area. Here is the link to tour details: https://www.wellsgraytours.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vancouver-Island-Toe-to-Tip.pdf
Thursday, April 28, morning/afternoon tour of Strathcona Provincial Park offered through Wells Gray Tours.
I will be joining this bus tour in Campbell River and accompanying travellers west towards Gold River on Highway 28. We pass the Haig-Brown House, the entrance to Elk Falls and Strathcona Park Lodge on our way. We’ll take two lovely short walking trails in the park: Lupin Falls and Lady Falls, then go to Strathcona Lodge for lunch. On our travels I will discuss the history of the area. Here is the link to tour details: https://www.wellsgraytours.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Scenic-Waterfront-Hotels-1.pdf
Tuesday, March 22 at 7:00pm, virtual presentation for the Qualicum Beach Family History Society
This pictorial talk about the Fort at Yorke Island features many archival images from personal family collections and discusses how small communities close to this WWII defence site were affected by the influx of soldiers, weapons, boats and building materials beginning in 1938. The talk is based on my 2012 book Yorke Island and the Uncertain War, Defending Canada’s Western Coast During WWII.
Saturday March 12, 19 and 26 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm through ElderCollege, Campbell River Campus at 1685 S Dogwood St. Three talks on local history. Sign up through the link: https://www.nic.bc.ca/continuing-education/search-courses/cr-eldercollege-courses/
Under History with a Twist – the first talk will be about the boats used in WWII on our coast, the second will be on the history of Nootka Sound and the third will be Strathcona Provincial Park’s history.
Thursday, February 10 at 7:00pm, virtual presentation for the Nanaimo Historical Society.
I’ll be presenting a pictorial talk about the history of Strathcona Provincial Park based on my recent book A Journey Back to Nature.
Thursday, February 10 at 7:00pm, virtual presentation for the Nanaimo Historical Society.
I’ll be presenting a pictorial talk about the history of Strathcona Provincial Park based on my recent book A Journey Back to Nature.
Thursday, January 27 at 1:30pm, virtual presentation to Probus group of Courtenay, members only.
I’ll be presenting a pictorial talk about the history of Strathcona Provincial Park based on my recent book A Journey Back to Nature.
2021
Tuesday, December 14 at 7:00pm, virtual presentation hosted by the Ladysmith Museum and Archives
I presented a pictorial talk about the history of Strathcona Provincial Park based on my recent book A Journey Back to Nature. The park is British Columbia’s oldest and has a history fraught with controversy over how its land and waterways should be used by both industry and recreationalists. Never before published images form part of this presentation.
Tuesday, October 5 at 7:00pm, at the Courtenay & District Museum, 207 4th St, Courtenay, BC
Presented an in person pictorial talk about the history of Strathcona Provincial Park based on my recent book A Journey Back to Nature. The park is British Columbia’s oldest and has a history fraught with controversy over how its land and waterways should be used by both industry and recreationalists. Never before published images form part of this presentation.
Sunday, September 19 to Tuesday, September 21, I was the historic interpreter for Wells Gray Tours’ TELEGRAPH COVE & ZEBALLOS CRUISE and SMALL SHIPS CRUISE (private charter). I joined tour bus guests in Campbell River we drove through Strathcona Provincial Park while I discussed area history. We stayed overnight in Gold River, then boarded the Uchuck III coastal freighter cruising through the Muchalaht Inlet, travelling the east side of Nootka Island, heading north up the Tahsis Inlet and finally the Zeballos Inlet to the village of Zeballos. Here, the group disembarked and another boarded for the reverse trip. The past of this region is fascinating; with clashes over territorial claims between the Spanish and the British in the late 1700s, in Nootka Sound, the sea otter trade and the Mowachaht First Nations lead by the powerful Chief Maquinna. Read tour details here: https://www.wellsgraytours.com/tour-departures/depart-victoria/
Wednesday, June 9 6:30 p.m. Museum at Campbell River via Zoom.
Hosted by the Museum at Campbell River, this virtual pictorial presentation is part of the Museum’s Archives Days series.
Saturday, May 15 2:00 p.m. Powell River Library
A virtual pictorial presentation via Zoom and hosted by the Powell River Library about the history of Strathcona Provincial Park based on my latest book, A Journey Back to Nature. There will be a discussion and question/answer period following the presentation.
2020
Strathcona Provincial Park – A Long Time Coming. Strathcona Wilderness Institute AGM, March 6, Cumberland.
2019
Strathcona Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre and book launch for Surviving Strathcona Style, Off the Grid and On the Edge, 60th Anniversary edition with Myrna Boulding, Saturday, November 23, Courtenay Museum, 207 4th St., Courtenay BC. Time to be announced.
The History of Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre and book launch for Surviving Strathcona Style, Off the Grid and On the Edge, 60th Anniversary edition with Myrna Boulding, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, Museum at Campbell River, 470 Island Highway,
The Nootka Crisis, or why we don’t speak Spanish in British Columbia. Wednesday, August 21 at 9:00pm at Strathcona Park Lodge 9pm, Hwy 28 Campbell River. PUBLIC WELCOME
The History of Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre – July 23, 29, August 5 and 12 at 7:00pm, High Bracer Lounge, Strathcona Park Lodge, Campbell River
The Nootka Crisis – June 06 at Nootka Sound Resort, Tlupana Inlet
It’s a Maritime War! The boats and men that served the BC coast during WWII – Thursday, January 17 at 1:00pm at Berwick By the Sea, Campbell River. PUBLIC WELCOME
2018
The History of Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre – Thursday, December 20 at 1:00pm at Berwick By the Sea, Campbell River
The Fort at Yorke Island – 1937-1945 – Thursday, November 8 at 7:30pm at Bowen Park Recreation Complex, Nanaimo PUBLIC WELCOME
The Nootka Crisis – September 25 at 8:00pm High Bracer Lounge, Strathcona Park Lodge, Campbell River
Naming the Named – The Exploration of the Coast – September 17 at 6:30pm Bayhill Men’s Club, Cobble Hill
The History of Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre – August 12 at 2:00pm, High Bracer Lounge, Strathcona Park Lodge, Campbell River
The Nootka Crisis – June 06 at Nootka Sound Resort, Tlupana Inlet
2017
The Nootka Crisis – Tuesday, October 17 at 7:00pm, Courtenay Museum
Yorke Island and the Uncertain War – in October at Manson’s Hall, Cortes Island, Thursday, October 12 at 7:00pm.
The Nootka Crisis – Wednesday, September 6 in Tahsis at the Captain Meares School, in the Seniors’ Centre at 7pm.
The Nootka Crisis – August 17, 6:30pm at the Port Alice Public Library
The Nootka Crisis – June 30 at Moutcha Bay Resort, July 2 at Nootka Sound Resort
The Nootka Crisis -Saturday, May 13 at 7:00pm, Mansons Hall, Cortes Island.
Naming the Named – The Exploration of the Coast Friday, May 12 at 2:00pm, Berwick Comox Valley Retirement Home, Comox – open to the public
The Nootka Crisis – Wednesday, May 10 at 7:00pm, Courtenay Museum
The Nootka Crisis – Saturday, April 29 at 1:00pm, Museum at Campbell River
2016
The Fort at Yorke Island – 1937-1945 – Wednesday, April 27, 2016 2:00pm, at Berwick Comox Valley Retirement Home Comox BC
Esquimalt During World War I – Sunday, February 28, 2016 1:30pm, at the Victorian at McKenzie retirement home, Victoria BC