Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (fourth from left) is flanked by custodes from the county of Cornwall, at the 17th Annual Governor General's Achievement Awards (GGAA) ceremony, held at Roi's Villas near Falmouth, Trelawny, on Thursday. Standing behind are the recipients of the awards - adults, young adults and youth representing the parishes of Trelawny, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland and St Elizabeth. Custodes from left are Alfred Farquharson, custos of St Elizabeth; Father Hartley Perring, representing Westmoreland's custos, Owen Sinclair; Roy Barrett, custos of Trelawny; Ewen Corrodus, custos of St James, and Dr David Stair, custos of Hanover. - Photo by Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:

Fourteen persons residing in the county of Cornwall were the recipients of this year's prestigious Governor General Achievement Award (GGAA) at a ceremony held at Roi's Villas in Trelawny on Thursday.

The awardees, 10 females and four males, were drawn from the parishes of Trelawny, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland and St Elizabeth and were honoured for having devoted themselves through community involvement to ensuring the empowerment and well-being of fellow Jamaicans.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen charged the awardees not to become complacent having achieved their awards, but to use their talent to help in fixing what was wrong with Jamaica.

Sir Patrick said that though the nation produces some of the finest sports men and women, it also needed other individuals to prove beyond any doubt that the country has what it takes to be the best in the world.

"Can you imagine that for 10 seconds the entire world focused on Jamaica? Why don't we allow them to spend a lifetime looking at us? That would be great," said Sir Patrick.

pass on values, attitudes

Sir Patrick said that for Jamaica to be a successful nation, it was imperative that people pass on the values and attitudes that make them successful to the next generation.

"It is important that we pass on what we have learnt. God has placed us here to improve the quality of life of all those around us," he said.

Against this background, Sir Patrick urged all Jamaicans to consider volunteering in their communities.

Sir Patrick also extended special thanks to national coordinator of the GGAA, Hugh Morris, and his team for executing what he described as a team for success.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Sonia Claire Crooks, representing Trelawny, said they would continue to play an active role in society, however insignificant it might seem.

The GGAA started in 1992 to recognise Jamaicans from modest socioeconomic circumstances, who had uplifted themselves, achieved substantial social and economic stability, and, in return, had made significant contributions to the communities where they resided.

noel.thompson@gleanerjm.com