January 1: a time to look forward to the year ahead, reflect on the past year and honour those who have made significant contributions to the territory in the past year.

That will be the focus of tomorrow’s annual Commissioner’s New Year’s Levee, to be hosted at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel for the first time.

In the past, the event has been hosted at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre and the Yukon government main administration building. But, as Commissioner Doug Phillips explained in an interview Tuesday, moving it to a hotel meant access to in-house catering, making it more convenient and cost-efficient.

The annual daytime “soirée,” set for 2-5 p.m., is an opportunity to consider the positives that may be ahead for the year as well as recognize many Yukoners who make the territory a better place with their contributions.

Established in 1973, the Commissioner’s Awards, Phillips explained, are the highest honour in the Yukon for public volunteer service and bravery.

On Thursday, firefighter Donnovan Misener will receive the Certificate of Exemplary Action for his role in dealing with a fire in Watson Lake. He could not be reached for an interview Tuesday.

Meanwhile, George Privett and Leona Watson will be honoured for their volunteer service.

Numerous others will also be honoured at the levee.

Phillips will also award Shyloh van Delft and Emily Knickle with the Outstanding Youth Achievement Awards, which recognize youth ages 18 and under “who have performed an outstanding or extraordinary service for their community; and/or have made positive contributions and demonstrated leadership in their activities by volunteering their time, energy and talent for the betterment of their community.”

The youth achievement awards are sponsored by the territory’s youth directorate in partnership with the commissioner’s office.

Nine other youth from high school students across the territory will be saluted, with the 2013/2014 Governor General’s Academic Awards, which goes to the student with the highest grade point average for each high school in the territory.

Receiving the academic awards will be Katie Doerksen of Porter Creek Secondary School; Kimberly Gill of Eliza Van Gorder School in Pelly Crossing; Quyn Nguyen of F.H. Collins Secondary School; Dustin Fraser of J.V. Clark School in Mayo; Clara Reid of Vanier Catholic Secondary School; David Kahn of Del Van Gorder School in Faro; Carolyn Miller of Ecole Emilie Tremblay; Natane Primozic of St. Elias Community School in Haines Junction; and Samantha Zacher of Watson Lake Secondary School.

Performing at the event will be Selina Heylingers-Hare and Sean Balsillie, who were part of the commissioner’s youth showcase event earlier this year.

Phillips will also present the Commissioner’s Commendations, which recognize “the special and valued service of those staff members, both paid and volunteer, whose commendable efforts have made a particular contribution to the Office of the Commissioner.”

Those awards will go to RCMP aide-de-camp Al Hubley; military aide-de-camp Carol Winter and former executive assistant Lyndsey Hamilton, who Phillips credited as key in organizing the first youth showcase his office hosted this year.

Looking ahead to 2015, Phillips predicted: “It’s going to be a busy year.”

Early in the new year, his office will move from Closeleigh Manor on Front Street to its permanent location at Taylor House, after the latter undergoes substantial renovations.

With February marking the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag, Phillips is planning to tour the territory’s schools to talk about the history of the Union Jack’s successor.

In addition to attending a number of events in the territory as commissioner, Phillips is also hoping to get down to Prince George, B.C. to cheer on Yukon athletes at the Canada Winter Games.

There’s also, of course, the commissioner’s tea and ball in Dawson City on June 13, which falls on the territory’s birthday, he noted.

Then in July, the territory will play host to Gov. Gen. David Johnston, along with lieutenants-governor from the provinces and commissioners from the other territories when they arrive in Whitehorse for their annual three-day conference.

Phillips is hoping the official opening of the new office at Taylor House can coincide with the visit from Johnston and his counterparts across the country.

Throughout next summer, there will also be a number of events Phillips will attend.

By the time September rolls around, things will be getting in full swing for the Christmas season, with events like the Northwestel Festival of Trees getting underway.

It’s a busy year that Phillips says he’s looking forward to as commissioner.