Peter Hannam and Dr. Jane Hosdil are among the latest Canadians to receive Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals.
On Sept. 4 Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White and Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott presented the medals, which commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne and “honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.”
A passage read by the mayor noted, “Hosdil has committed herself to improving the quality of life and health of those living in Rockwood and East Wellington, as a whole.”
She served patients in Guelph-Eramosa Township for over 40 years, with a roster that numbered upwards of 2,200.
“She was the only doctor in Rockwood for a long time,” White told the Advertiser. “Because she stuck it out, doctors looking to come here had somebody to talk to.”
He added Hosdil was “pivotal” in the development of the new medical centre in Rockwood, which opened in early 2010.
Hosdil noted the new clinic has allowed her to scale back her hours but still stay involved in Rockwood.
“Everybody has become special to me … so it’s hard to walk away,” she said.
Hosdil added it “never occurred” to her that she would even be nominated for a Diamond Jubilee medal.
“I was certainly very pleased and honoured to receive that,” she said.
At last week’s meeting, White called Hosdil “a dedicated and hard working family physician, committed to providing quality health care.”
Hannam was the other recipient recognized on Sept. 4.
“He helped bring the township and county international recognition,” White said, specifically mentioning Hannam’s contribution in the area of soybean research.
He told the Advertiser Hannam has “been absolutely critical to agriculture … and it’s great to have him in the township.”
Hannam, a member of the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame and the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Guelph, said he was “pleasantly surprised” when he learned he would be receiving the Diamond Jubilee Medal.
“It’s an honour to have local people recognize your efforts … it was very nice,” he said in an interview.
White noted Hannam’s research “helped to position the soybean as Ontario’s largest field crop.” The mayor also lauded Hannam for his “demonstrated leadership with regard to education and youth.
“By creating the Hannam Soybean Utilization Fund with his family, Peter has contributed research funding to the University of Guelph, … In addition, Peter has created Project SOY (Soybean Opportunities for Youth), a contest that encourages students to develop innovative uses for soybeans.”
The mayor called Hannam “a visionary and leader, who has demonstrated a commitment to the growth and prosperity of our local community and Ontario agriculture as a whole.”
