Government honours 5 Nova Scotians for contributions to province

HALIFAX – Five Nova Scotians were honoured Wednesday for their contributions in the areas of the arts, medicine, science, business and social issues in ceremonies at Government House in Halifax.

The lieutenant-governor and premier were on hand to invest the recipients into the Order of Nova Scotia.

Eldon George of Parrsboro made international news when he discovered the world’s smallest dinosaur footprints along the shores of the Bay of Fundy. His rare finds have brought world experts to Nova Scotia.

Fred George of Halifax is a successful businessman and one of Canada’s greatest philanthropists. He grew his Halifax mining company into the largest gold and silver producer in Mexico.

“I took the company Gammon Lake from $5 million to $2.4 billion,” he said. “We love the province so much I refuse to move head office, so we started operating and we stayed operating right here in Nova Scotia. I believe Nova Scotia is the place to be. It’s so peaceful, the community is wonderful. We’re proud Nova Scotians.”

Dr. Cecil Kinley of Halifax is a pioneering cardiovascular surgeon and scientist. He performed several groundbreaking surgeries and developed programs for support teams. He says his Order of Nova Scotia award should be shared.

“The honour really, I think, is in recognition of the things that were accomplished by team work — by all these other people. But it’s very satisfying to see the progress,” he said.

Colin Anderson received the medal on behalf of his late wife, Raylene Rankin, famed singer and part of the Rankin Family musical group.

“It’s a great honour,” he said. “I know she’d be very honoured by it and it’s helpful as far as the healing process and moving forward.”

Hetty van Gurp is an internationally recognized peace educator with a lifelong committment to teaching and justice. Her son died after being thrown to the ground by a larger boy. She founded the League of Peaceful Schools in Nova Scotia.

“For me this is important,” she said. “I think it will once again bring to the limelight teaching our children how to live well with others.”