Kincardine renames medical clinic in honour of Duncan Hawthorne

Kincardine will soon have the Duncan Hawthorne Medical Clinic, as mayor Anne Eadie made the announcement, Wednesday night.

 

It was one of many accolades given in honour of Bruce Power's retired president and chief executive officer, at the Tribute to Duncan Hawthorne, held on the arena floor at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre.

 

More than 600 people filled the arena, offering congratulations to Hawthorne and his wife, Lesley, who are returning to the United Kingdom at the end of April, to be closer to family and to embark on a new chapter in their journey in the nuclear industry.

 

Hawthorne has been asked to be chairman of the board of Horizon Nuclear which plans to build six advanced boiling water reactors in the U.K.

 

During a brief chat with local media, prior to the meal and formal program, Hawthorne said refurbishing the four units at Bruce A, making the Bruce Nuclear site the largest generating station in the world, and setting it up for success to 2064, has been the highlight of his career.



Duncan Hawthorne reflects on his 15 years at Bruce Power

 

But, more importantly, he has been touched by the personal stories from people affected by the rejuvenation of the industry at the site, after Bruce A was shut down in 1998.

 

“It means so much to me to hear people say that their children can remain in the area and raise their families here because they can get good jobs at Bruce Power,” he said. “This is a great community. The people help each other; there is great volunteerism. That's not common in the rest of the world. That's what makes this area so special.”

 

Hawthorne said he and Lesley are not leaving the community entirely. “We built a life here, we were married here, we became Canadian citizens, we have so many great memories. We're definitely coming back.

“We have a strong management team and a great workforce at Bruce Power. If I could pack them up and take them with me, I would.”

 

While he will miss Bruce Power, its employees, and the people of this area, he will not miss the white-outs and the Bruce County winters!

 

Hawthorne and his wife, were piped to their seats by Kyle MacDonald and Andy MacKenzie of the Penetangore Pipe Band, and the formal program began.



Duncan and Lesley Hawthorne are piped to their seats by members of the Penetangore Pipe Band

 

It included tributes from chief Vern Roote of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Bruce Power board chairman Don Wishart, and MPP Eleanor McMahon on behalf of the premier of Ontario, as well as Bruce County warden Mitch Twolan and Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie.

 

Wishart said the large crowd at the event was a testament to the positive impact Hawthorne has made on this community.

 

“You turned Bruce Power from a nuclear station running at half-capacity, to a company with a 50-year future,” he said. “You are a strong advocate for the nuclear industry here and around the world. You are also an avid supporter of many charities, the Easter Seals, Unity for Autism, the Women's House Serving Bruce ad Grey, and the Liv-a-Little Foundation.

 

“I've worked with Duncan for a number of years and the enthusiasm and the drive he has brought to Bruce Nuclear is second to none. He has left the company with a bright future, an engaged workforce and a strong leadership team. We wish you and your family all the best as you enter the next chapter of your remarkable journey.”

 

Twolan noted that the Ripley Arena had never looked so nice, and his fellow Ripley Wolves hockey players would likely not recognize it.

 

“I've known Duncan for the past 15 years and it has been a pleasure to have you and Lesley living in Huron-Kinloss Township,” he said. “I thank you for your commitment to Bruce Power and to the community, and to Lesley for sharing Duncan with us for all these years. Now, your family is calling you back to the U.K. But remember, you are always welcome back to Bruce County. Best wishes.”

 

Eadie noted there have been three British invasions in Bruce County's history. The first was in the 1800s when many came to the area to farm. The second was in the 1970s when they came to Kincardine to work at the Bruce Nuclear Power Development, and taught the locals how to play soccer.

 

And the third was in 2001 when Hawthorne arrived with British Energy (later Bruce Power), and his solid Scottish background.

 

Eadie said that after the dark days in the late 1990s when Bruce A was shut down, Hawthorne's leadership was instrumental in turning things around for the nuclear industry in Kincardine. She commended him on his personal support for the Community Living of Kincardine and District capital project to build a new apartment building on Saratoga Road, which also brought support from Bruce Power and then the rest of the community followed.

 

“And now it's my privilege to announce that Kincardine is renaming the medical clinic in honour of Duncan Hawthorne,” she said.

 

Hawthorne then took the stage and noted that when he first came to Bruce County, he noticed there were a lot of “freakishly tall” people here.

 

But seriously, he and Lesley have been totally overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and caring from the community since he announced his retirement in February.

 

“When I arrived here in 2001, the community was suffering from victim mentality,” said Hawthorne. “Bad things had happened in the nuclear industry and people didn't understand why. It was devastating. I didn't know why either, but I had an unshakable belief in the people.”
 

Hailing from a working-class family, he decided to join the electricity industry. He began as a craftsman in blue overalls, clocking in and out of work. He then became a foreman in a white coat who did not have to clock in and out. Then, as an engineer, he had an office and worked his own hours.

 

“As I have worked my way up, I've discovered there is expertise and leadership at all levels,” he said. “If you find a way to unlock that, you will get great results. If you give people a feeling that what they do matters, you cannot fail.

 

“That's been my career. You don't achieve much on your own. You hang around with the people in the lunch rooms and find out what they have to say.

 

“In the nuclear industry, you don't have to split atoms for a living, they'll do it themselves if you just put them together.”

 

Hawthorne said when he first came to the area, he vowed never to surprise the community or the workforce at the Bruce site. “That's what had already happened to them.”

 

He admitted it will be tough to leave and return to the U.K. “But there is a time for all things, and this is the right time and the right place. This community will always have a special place in our hearts, and we expect great things from Bruce Power. We will never forget the time we spent here or the wonderful people we met.”

 

Bruce Power acting president Kevin Kelly also brought congratulations and praise to Hawthorne, as did representatives of Borealis and TransCanada, and the Power Workers' Union.

 

James Scongack, vice-president of corporate affairs at Bruce Power and MC for the event, presented Lesley with a “Duncan Do List” and flowers, and the evening ended with music by The Mudmen.

 

Wednesday night's event was not only a tribute to Hawthorne, but also a fund-raiser for the Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey, and the Liv-a-Little Foundation. By the night's end, $100,000 had been raised to be split between the two charities, with more being raised from now through to the end of April.