Road Town, Tortola - Four persons will receive the BVI Badge of Honour at an Investiture Ceremony that will be held in their honour at Government House on June 7.
His Excellency the Governor, after consultation with the Premier, Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE and the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE accepted the recommendation of the BVI Honours Committee and is pleased to announce that Mr. J.C. Pierce, Nurse Romalia Smith, Mr. Realdis Todman and Mrs. Eugenie Donovan Glasgow will receive the BVI Badge of Honour.
The Badge of Honour may be presented to a Virgin Islander, or a person who has been an ordinary resident in the British Virgin Islands for not less than 10 years prior to the date of the award, and has provided entrepreneurial goods and or services within the Territory for over 20 years; served as an outstanding public servant with a notable degree of integrity and a high standard of service; performed a life threatening act of bravery; given notable humanitarian service to others in the community for a significant number of years; given meritorious voluntary service in Non-Governmental Organisations, or exceptional business or professional service to the community; and has been instrumental in bringing about significant changes within the public service. Additionally, the recipient must be a respectable, law abiding citizen and will not be barred to recommendation based on the possession of other honours.
A committee, which is appointed by Cabinet, is responsible for identifying persons in the community for the honour. Once the committee has identified individuals the names are then submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval and then to the Leader of the Opposition for his approval. His Excellency the Governor makes the final decision based on the recommendations received.
The members of the BVI Honours Committee are:
Mr. Reuben Vanterpool – Chairperson
Ms. Jacqueline Nibbs
Mrs. Belsadys Donovan
Dr. Charles Wheatley
Mr. Sendrick Chinnery
Mrs. Urma Creque
Mrs. Alma Flax
A brief biography of each recipient follows:
Mr. J. C. Pierce, a regular visitor to the BVI since 1985, performed a heroic act on Sunday 19th April, 2009 when faced with a challenge that placed his own life at risk. In using a single surf board without the aid of lifeguards he was able to save the lives of three of four struggling swimmers, an act that has touched the fibres of our community intimately.
Nurse Romalia Smith can be considered a forerunner in the medical field on the island of Anegada. Her service to the Virgin Islands community, specifically on Anegada, includes many years of midwifery, nursing, and voluntary community sacrificial service during years when modern amenities were not available.
Mr. Realdis Todman has been recognized within the community of Sea Cow’s Bay for his self sacrificial efforts and community contributions. As far back as the early 1950’s, Mr. Todman involved himself with assisting many community members with the construction of homes and furniture, ministering to the community, assisting with the upkeep and maintenance of the church including unpaid labour on the newly renovated Hall of the Church at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Despite his personal challenges, Mr. Todman continues to invest time and energy in community service.
Mrs. Eugenie Donovan-Glasgow is among the many unsung heroes of our time. Her long standing commitment to education and her versatility is evidenced in her willing and dedicated community service as a silent pillar but active force within our society - a true stalwart.
British Virgin Islands News