The second year of the Governor General’s Achievement Award Scheme culminated in a ceremony at Vale Royal where 14 recipients received commemorative pins. Governor General Sir Howard Cooke, the scheme’s patron, praised the awardees and celebrated the contributions of Jamaicans making a difference in community and national life.

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 28, 1993

GG Award winners hailed

THE second year of the Governor General’s Achievement Award Scheme climaxed Wednesday, October 27 with a ceremony held at Vale Royal where the island’s 14 recipients were presented with commemorative pins.

The scheme’s patron, Governor General Sir Howard Cooke, lauded the awardees while observing that the nation was blessed with people of merit who, though not in the limelight, were making distinguished contributions to community and national life.

Sir Howard said he felt 'honoured and privileged’ to know that Jamaica was blessed with many persons of goodwill and merit who were committed to making the country a better place.

It was the first time that all the 1993 awardees were assembled in one place and thus it was an opportunity for all the winners to meet with each other.

The award is sponsored by the Building Societies Association of Jamaica (BSAJ) and the Gleaner Company. It is given to Jamaicans who have displayed outstanding citizenship and who have never before received a national honour.

The pins presented are engraved with the scheme’s logo. Those receiving the commemorative pins were: Derrick Scott of Trelawny; Doris Channer-Watson of St James; Enid Veronica Gonsalves of Hanover; Rev Enoch Blythe of Westmoreland; Locksley Beadle of St Elizabeth; Selvin George Stewart of St Mary; Brenton Levene of St Ann; Leonard Burton of Manchester; Marcia Mills-Forbes of Clarendon; Rev Cedrick Lue of St Catherine; William Munroe of Portland; Evelyn Saunders of St Thomas; Oscar Shim of Kingston; and Veronica Carnegie of St Andrew.

The awardees were chosen by a committee set up in each parish. Regional awards ceremonies were held earlier this year where the honourees were read a citation and presented with a plaque.

Among those present were the cstodes: Royland Barrett of Trelawny; William Craig of St James; Percival Miller of Hanover; James Thompson of Westmoreland; Sydney Phillips of St Mary; Dr Osmond Tomlinson of St Ann; James deRoux of Clarendon; Gladstone Lewars of St Catherine; Conrad Turnbull of Portland; Isaac Matalon of St Thomas; Rev Canon Weeville Gordon of Kingston; Rev Carmen Stewart of St Andrew.

Custodes Malcolm Spencer Hendriks oft. Elizabeth and William Coke of Manchester were absent. Mr. Coke was represented by Venerable Archdeacon Walter O’Meally.

Speaking for the sponsors were Sonia Jones, a director at the Gleaner, and Joe Bailey, general manager of the BSAJ. Both pledged continued support for the scheme while lauding the awardees on their achievements.

The Carifolk Singers provided musical entertainment.

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