Janelle Christie
The Noranda Community Council of Discovery Bay on Thursday, December 8, awarded fourteen citizens and institutions for outstanding performance and contribution to community development.
The event, which was held at the Port Rhoades Sports Club, marked the third staging of the Awards of Excellence.
The programme began with musical entertainment by the Positive Music Band and the Community Concert Singers. Welcome was extended by the chairman of the community council, Kent Skyers, who also gave the opening remarks.
The audience was led in devotion by member of the community council, Keneen Hunt.
Sanya Johnson, also a member of the council who did the preamble, thanked the awardees for their contribution and encouraged them to “strive to continue engaging in the pursuit of excellence”.
EXCELLENCE
The Award of Excellence was presented to the following: Michael Forbes, for contribution to business development; Philmore Scott, for “grow where you are planted” services to total business and community development; June Clarke, Ivylyn Morgan and Vilma Palmer, for contribution to education; Whitfield Stennett, for contribution to community and diaspora; Lloyd Russell, for contribution to the public relations profession; Olga Cunningham and Daisy Wallace, for contribution to community development; Michael Gardener, for contribution to transport and lifestyle values; Harvey Flemmings, for contribution in community and agriculture; Hezekiah Whitehorn, for contribution to music, religion and politics; Livingston Green, for contribution to community development; Albert Edwards, for contribution to community building; Radio GGFM, for contribution to religion, education and broadcasting; Alloa Fishermen’s Co-operative, for contribution to commerce, employment and community building, and Noranda Bauxite Partners, for contribution to economic and social development.
In spite of several challenges faced by the Noranda Bauxite Company since the beginning of the year, vice president and general manager of NJBP Dada Holdings Antoine Liddell, celebrated with the community and was honoured that the community council was still able to recognize the outstanding citizens.
The awardees were entertained by a number of items presented during the ceremony. Groups of various ages were present and took part, including the Touch of Love Dancers and the Trysee Signers, national gold medalists. Soloist Sheldon Riley from the community council dedicated a song, ‘this is my story’ to the “well deserving awardees”.
Reverend Delroy Johnson of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Island was the guest speaker. He elaborated on the topic “Healthy communities” and listed a number of factors he believes are necessary for the development of same.
He outlined community engagement, political commitment, asset based community development, mutual respect, improvement of the health sector and safe and clean communities as the building blocks to community development. Mr Johnson said Jamaica has failed many times at being committed to its duties. However, he said, “as we look at our awardees we recognize that there are some things that are still good and well.”
The presentation of awards and citation was done by Bernard Newton and George Brown of the community council.
Custos Norma Walters and custos emeritus Radcliffe Walters were also present.
In hosting this event, the Noranda Community Council said in its programme note it hopes “that others may learn to appreciate the values of integrity, hard work and discipline, and engage in the pursuit of excellence” as the awardees have done.
