By Francine Black, Staff Reporter
Captain Johnathan Lamey (left), a recipient of the Governor-General's Achievement Awards, chats with the Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke (centre) and other awardees from left, Remia Renia Gordon, Dr. Polly Bowes-Howell and Kevin Brown during the awards ceremony at the Jamaica Crest Resort and Villas in Fairy Hill, Portland, yesterday.
- HERBERT MCKENIS/Freelance Photographer
FOUR OUTSTANDING Jamaicans were presented with the prestigious Governor-General's Achievement Awards for their extraordinary performance and contributions in their communities yesterday.
Kevin Brown, Dr. Polly Bowes-Howell, Reverend Remia Renia Gordon and Captain Johnathan Patrick Lamey were honoured at the awards ceremony for the County of Surrey at the Jamaica Crest Resort and Villas in Fairy Hill, Portland.
AWARDS APPRECIATED
Captain Lamey noted in his reply on behalf of the awardees that they appreciated the reward for their work as they did not set out to be recognised.
"To us it seemed like routine but to our friends and admirers it was something to be recognised," he said.
Kevin Brown, the recipient for the parish of Kingston and the youngest awardee, was recognised for overcoming social, economical and parental constraints and demonstrating determination and commitment towards education and the pursuit of excellence.
Mr. Brown was also lauded for his outstanding work with youth in his community of McIntyre Villas, also known as Dunkirk, where he grew up.
OUTSTANDING WORK
Dr. Bowes-Howell, the recipient for St. Andrew, was also recognised for her outstanding work with young people, in particular her work in the education sector and Stony Hill All-Age school where she has started numerous development projects for her students.
The Reverend Gordon, the awardee for St. Thomas, was recognised for her contributions to the welfare and development of many groups in the parish. As a pastor for over 25 years Reverend Gordon has touched the lives of adults, youth and children through various programmes and initiatives she has introduced in her community.
The awards, symbol of community spirit and achievement, are designed to recognise persons from various strata of society who have contributed selflessly to Jamaica's development.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The final awardee, Captain Lamey, was singled out for his contributions in agriculture and academic excellence. He has pursued extensive studies in agricultural mechanisation and, despite the trials faced in growing up in a poor farming family, he has become an accomplished teacher, lecturer, writer, adviser and dean.
Sir Howard Cooke, Governor-General, applauded the recipients for their achievements and encouraged the audience to highlight the positive about their country.
"Let us not go around and tell everyone how Jamaica bad, but let us tell them God is good," he said.
Larklin Hall, former national coordinator of the awards committee, was also recognised by the county of Surrey for his sterling contributions to the awards.
