Al Ridley

Al Ridley, In 1978, Al joined an aquarium club at his school. At that time Al was in grade seven! In February of 1979 a friend introduced him to the Kitchener Waterloo Aquarium Society and he joined that night. Al's first aquarium was a 35 gallon that was purchased at the Conestoga Mall Pet Shop. He was a general member until February of 1987 when his brother Paul and he took over the Ad and Raffle positions. With the exception of a short move to British Columbia, Al has been involved at this level ever since. For a number of years, Al spoke on the Ontario club circuit and even spoke to three aquarium clubs during a visit to London, England. Listed below are Al's achievements over his 30+ years in KWAS.

1987 - Ad and Raffle Chair
1988 - Show Jar Chair, BAP Committee,
1989 - BAP Committee, CAOAC Rep, Membership Chair
1990 HAP Chair, BAP Committee, CAOAC Rep
1991 Vice President, BAP/HAP Committee, CAOAC Rep
1992 Vice President, CAOAC Rep
1995 Vice President, CAOAC Rep
1996 Vice President, CAOAC Rep
1997 President, BAP Committee
1998 President, BAP Committee
1999 Vice President, Assistant Editor, Program Chair, BAP Committee, Oktoberfish Chair
2000 Assistant Editor, Program Chair, BAP/HAP Committee, Oktoberfish Chair
2001 Program Chair, BAP Chair, Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair
2002 Recording Secretary, BAP Chair, Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair
2003 Treasurer, BAP Chair, Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair
2004 President, BAP Chair, Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair
2005 President, Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair
2006 President, Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair
2007 Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair
2008 Pet Store Liaison, Forum Administrator
2009 Secretary, Programs, Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair, Forum Administrator
2010 Secretary, Pet Store Liaison, Oktoberfish Chair, Forum Administrator
2011 Pet Store Liaison, co-chaired Program, Forum Administrator

Al has also been the recipient of numerous awards during many of his years with KWAS.

1996 Author of the Year
1997 Bob Daniell’s Service Award
1998 Author’s Award
1998 Bob Daniell’s Service Award
1998 CAOAC Authors Award
1999 Bob Daniell’s Service Award
2000 Bob Daniell’s Service Award
2001 Breeder of the Year
2003 CAOAC Advanced Authors Award
2004 25 year Honorary Membership
2005 CAOAC 25 Year Recognition Award

His fish room today contains a melting pot of fish, plants and aquariums ranging from one gallon to ninety gallons. He has in the past owned a 180-gallon and a 240-gallon aquarium. Al has never felt that he specialized in any specific kind of fish. He also has a pond in the back yard which is more about the water plants than the fish. The aquarium club (to him) is simply an opportunity to spend an evening with some great people chatting about something they all have in common. The business side of the club gives him challenges that keep things interesting and compel him to be part of a team with a common goal. Al's other interests are Pyrotechnical (Fireworks) Displays and Gardening. In Al's own words it has been an honour to be associated with KWAS and the many members that have passed, and return to our energetic group.