Public sector celebrated for long service
(L-R) Deputy Governor Franz Manderson with honourees Carolyn Parsons, Restmin “Nellie” McCoy and Meredith Hew
(CNS Local Life): The government honoured 261 public servants for their long service at a ceremony held Friday, 20 February at Pedro St James. The Civil Service Long Service Awards acknowledged those individuals who have been government workers for 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years, serving in a wide cross-section of ministries and departments.
Government television personality Donna Bush emceed the event, which included a violin solo of the National Song by the Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, and remarks by the Chief Officer for the Portfolio of the Civil Service, Gloria McField-Nixon.
In her speech, which outlined several key dates and developments in the Cayman Islands in the years the awardees had started work with government, McField-Nixon said, “Historically, long-service awards were only given to our uniformed services. Civilian employees, on the other hand, were not recognised for their sterling contributions and dedicated service,” she said in a government press release.
“Working in partnership the then chief secretary’s office and the Civil Service Association created these awards to recognise the contributions of all civil servants. I’m please to confirm that this partnership continues to this day…
“The fact that we are able to commemorate so many employees reaching major milestones upwards of 25 years, speaks to the commitment such persons have to making a difference in the lives of those we serve,” she added.
Marked out for special attention were three honourees who had each worked for 45 years in government. Meredith Hew, Restmin “Nellie” McCoy and Carolyn Parsons received an especially loud round of applause when receiving their certificates and awards from the acting governor.
The chief officer also thanked the Cayman Islands Civil Service Association Management Council for their joint sponsorship of the event.
Acting Governor Franz Manderson praised “the dedication, loyalty and commitment” of the honourees as well as their unflagging service to the Government and people of the Cayman Islands. He also said he had a number of rewarding memories working alongside several of the honourees during his former positions within the civil service.
Chief Officers Dorine Whittaker, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (30 years) and Alan Jones, Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure (25 years) also received long-service awards.
Heads of department similarly honoured included Gina Ebanks-Petrie, Environment (30 years); Adrian Estwick, Agriculture (25 years); and Roydell Carter, Environmental Health (25 years); as well as Chief Justice Anthony Smellie (30 years).
Category: Civil Service
