Meet your OSCO Board! by Nicole Phillips
her functionality and memory before her passing in 2024. Dave’s current career is at the LCBO just east of Wortley Village. Dave’s favourite OSCO memory was the “My Neighbour is Normal” campaign that saw the leadership of OSCO securing the restoration and transfer of the ‘Normal School and Green’ to remain an upgraded public green space for the community. Heritage, architecture and photography are Dave’s passions while he gladly supports the local economy at numerous businesses and establishments in Wortley Village.
The Old South Community Organization (OSCO), is a non-profit, member-run volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of life in our community, and in our city. Board Members and volunteers work hard every year to stage the February Chili Cook-off, Gathering on the Green, Christmas In the Village, the Christmas Market and more. Board members include: Mario Circelli (Communications), Deb Dobson, Dave Flett, Margaret Hopkins (Volunteer Coordinator), Ian Leishman, Nicole Phillips (President), Gordon Saylor (Treasurer), Eric Shepperd and new members Celia Lewis (Administrator), Carrie Mitchell and Dave Vermue. Celia Lewis A lifelong Londoner, Celia’s enthusiasm for volunteerism began in Girl Guides. You may catch her out walking with her adorable little dog, Tulip, or enjoying the outdoors while exploring Old South on her bicycle. Carrie Mitchell Dr. Carrie Mitchell is a Wortley Village resident, urban planner, and Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo whose research focuses on building safer, healthier, and more resilient cities. Carrie leads the Wortley Village Lab, which support residents in using data to improve mobility, street safety, and neighbourhood wellbeing. When she’s not working with researchers and residents to co-create safer streets, Carrie can often be found biking and walking through Old South with her daughter Maia and husband Rob, chatting with neighbours, or enjoying the local shops and parks that make Wortley such a special place to call home. Dave Vermue Dave was raised in the Broughdale neighbourhood, loving many hours exploring nature in Gibbons Park along the Thames River. His schooling included St. Peter’s music program, Central Secondary School, and two years at Beal Art. Dave studied and lived on-campus at the University of Guelph employed in a portfolio of student housing roles before achieving a B.A. Degree in Fine Art, returning afterwards to London to reside in Old South. Rejoining the OSCO board again, after a decade of leave, while as caregiver for his Mother for whom dementia slowly stole away
Above: returning members Mario Circelli, Deb Dobson, Dave Flett, Margaret Hopkins, Ian Leishman, Nicole Phillips, Gordon Saylor, Eric Shepperd. Below: please welcome new members as of December 2025, Celia Lewis, Carrie Mitchell and Dave Vermue.
Congratulations to Margaret Hopkins on being named a Distingished Londoner in the 2026 Mayor’s New Year’s Honour List!
Learn more at oscolondon.ca and by following the Old South Community
Organization on Facebook
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Wortley Villager Jan-Feb 2026 • Page 13
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