ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Fifty distinguished residents of Antigua & Barbuda were honoured with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Awards at a special National Church Service at Spring Gardens Moravian Church on Sunday.
In a presentation at the service, Private Secretary of the Office of the Governor General Valerie Smith said the awards were presented to those who have made “significant contributions” to Antigua & Barbuda over many years.
Smith added that the nomination process was arduous, saying, “It has been an extremely difficult choice for the committee because everyone nominated was a worthy candidate.”
Among the honourees named at the thanksgiving service were Chairman of OBSERVER Media Group Winston Derrick, Sir Eustace and Lady Francis and businessman Patrick Ryan.
In attendance at the packed service were Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, President of the Senate Hazelyn Francis, and Speaker of the House D Gisele Isaac-Arrindell, along with other dignitaries.
The official presentation of the Diamond Jubilee Awards will be presented to the awardees at a ceremony at Government House upon the governor general’s return from her trip to the United Kingdom.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrates 60 years of Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne and her reign.
As part of the jubilee activities, her son, Prince Edward – the Earl of Wessex and his wife Princess Sophie the Countess of Wessex – visited Antigua & Barbuda on a leg of their Caribbean tour in March.
List of recipients for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Awards
Boys Brigade: Ms Hilarine Colbourne
Community Service: Mrs N Cornelia Michael
Education Poetry Writer: Mrs Mary Georgenea Quinn
Education: Dr Hayden Thomas
Education: Loretta James
Education: Miss Gloria David
Education: Mrs Evelyn Barnes James
Education: Mrs Ithlane Baptiste
Education: Mrs Maisie Southwell
Education: Mrs Maud Alexandrina Brown Theodore
Education: Mrs Rosemary Robinson
Education/ Artist: Mrs Kathleen Richardson-Walter
Education/ Church: Miss Rosita Edwards
Guides: Mrs Carmen Benjamin
HIV/AIDS: Dr Sir Prince Ramsey
Hotel Industry: Mr & Mrs Leon Cort
Hotel Industry: Mr Theodore “Ted” Isaac
Journalism: Mr Selvyn Walter
Music: Dr George Roberts
Music/ Education, Clergy: Dr Rosa Lee
Music/ Public Service: Mr Leslie Nanton
National Parks: Mrs Ann Marie Martin
Nursing: Miss Ineta Wallace
Nursing: Miss Olive Gardner
Nursing: Mrs Nathalie Southwell
Nursing/ Church: Mrs Ruby Gore
Police/ Street Pastor: Inspector William Holder
Press Freedom: Mr Winston Derrick / Observer Media Group
Public Service & Education: Mrs J M Eusalyn Lewis
Public Service: Anderson Howard/ Blue Waters Hotel
Public Service: Hadeed Group of Companies
Public Service: Mr Cordel Josiah
Public Service: Mr Esau Mansoor/ Townhouse Mega Store
Public Service: Mr Ewart Harney / Harney Motors
Public Service: Mr George Hourani/ Cool & Smooth
Public Service: Mr Gerald Price
Public Service: Mr J Mario Bento
Public Service: Mr Patrick Ryan/ Bryson’s
Public Service: Mr Paul Ryan/ Antigua Motors
Public Service: Mr Samuel Aymer
Public Service: Mr Stephen Joseph/ Bargain Centre
Public Service: Mrs Cynthia Salmon/ St Vincent de Paul Society
Public Service: The family of the late Mr Mitchell Michael & Mrs Michael
Public Service: The family of the late Sir John Ferdinand Shoul & Lady Shoul
Public Service: Their Excellencies Sir Eustace & Lady Francis
Sports: Mr Mervyn Richards
St John Hospice: Dr Raphael Evanson
Tourism: Miss Valerie Hodge/ Shirley Heights Lookout
Tourism: Mrs Cynthia Simon
World War II Veteran: Mr Norrisford Alphanso Emanuel de Freitas
