Farida Gabbani

In the virtual Dr. Hugh A. Noble Hall of Honour, the pages abound with "physical education royalty". If Dorothy Walker Robbins is the queen of physical education in our province, Farida Gabanni is most certainly the Duchess.

When you read the list of accomplishments below, you think "Wow, Farida did a lot of amazing things. This list is impressive".

What is really impressive is the impact that Farida made while she was leading that committee or teaching at the NSTC or supporting PE and Health behind the scene within the highest levels of government. Each of those positions, although only one single line when written, was actually an in depth, time consuming experience where Farida made a difference every single day whether it be to one of her students or to thousands and thousands of people across the province and around the world. Anyone who has spent time with Farida knows that she is one of a kind and the province of Nova Scotia is fortunate beyond belief that she called Nova Scotia home.

Farida Gabanni is the mother of 3 wonderful children; Graham, Sarah and Jennifer, grandmother to five active and healthy grandchildren; Yemaya, Aitreya, Simon, Eric and Jane.

Education: Master of Arts (Education), 1990 (Recipient of the Gold Medal for academic achievement); Master of Education (Curriculum) 1989; Certificate in Education, 1965-1968, I.M. Marsh College of Physical Education University of Liverpool England

* * Work Experience:

• Retired Senior Director, Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, NS Dept of Health and Wellness;
• School Board Consultant;
• Professor Mount Saint Vincent University;
• Physical and Health Education Consultant NS Dept of Education;
• Professor NS Teachers College; Teacher

Professional Activities:

• Presenter at local, regional, provincial, national and international conferences;
• Member of the Sport NS Board of Directors;
• Past Board member of the NS School Athletic Federation;
• Past Chair and present Board Member of Truro Sport Heritage Society;
• President 2000-2002 of Canadian Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD);
• Chair of the Federal Committee on Participation in Sport at the request of the Secretary of State for Amateur Sport, the Honorable Denis Coderre,
• 2001; Chair of the “Moving to Inclusion” committee of the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability;
• Co-Author, 3 Gender Equity teachers resources (CAHPERD)
• Author of physical education and health curriculum documents for NS Department of Education;
• Co- Chair of Federal Provincial Territorial committees of Public Health Agency of Canada;
• Past Chair of the Policy and Capacity Building Committee, ParticipACTION;
• Chair of Active Canada 20/20 Schools Action Group;
• Vice Chair the Truro Rath Eastlink Community Center Board of Directors

* International Activities:

Worked in Zambia, Barbados, Guyana, Bermuda and Chile providing professional development in physical education, sport, recreation and active living.

Awards

• 1992 TAPE Award- Dorthy G. Walker Award of Merit Recipient- Farida Blacklock- won in Sydney.
• 1998 At the CAHPERD National Conference in Saskatoon, Farida Gabbani won the R. Tait Mackenzie Award
• In 2000, Farida Gabbani and Dorothy G. Walker were inducted as Charter Fellows into the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals
• 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mi‟kmaw Sport Council of Nova Scotia.

Farida Gabanni, is an amazing and inspiring individual and it is with great pleasure that TAPHE puts her name forward for induction into the TAPHE Hugh A Noble Hall of Honour.