W.O. (Bill) Morrison, former sales manager of CJOH-TV and President of Ottawa Today with Governor General Roland Michener during the annual New Year’s levee at Rideau Hall.
The centuries-old ritual used to take place in the Parliament Buildings – the Senate Chambers – but Roland Michener and his wife Norah returned the Governor General’s levee to Rideau hall in 1972 when this black and white photo was probably taken.
The first recorded levee took place in 1869 under the auspices of Canada’s second Governor General Lord Lisgar and his wife, Lady Adelaide Annabella Dalton Lisgar.
Each year, the Governor General has honoured Michener Award and Fellowship winners at a Government House ceremony. Each of Roland Michener’s successors has graciously adopted and maintained a personal interest in the Michener Awards Foundation and its commitment to Canadian journalism excellence.