John Myers Jr., Staff Reporter
Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke (third left) poses with the recipients of this year's Governor-General Achievement Award for the County of Middlesex following the presentation ceremony held at the St. Gabriel's Anglican Church in May Pen, Clarendon, yesterday. From left are: Edwin Coleman, Margarita Ward, Linda Kelly, Clarence Foster and Roland McPherson. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
YEARS OF hard work and unselfish dedication to voluntary service did not go without recognition for the five persons who yesterday received this year's prestigious Governor-General's Achievement Award for the county of Middlesex.
At a special function at the St. Gabriel's Anglican Church Hall in May Pen, Clarendon, the five: Roland McPherson of St. Ann; Clarence Gordon Fisher of St. Catherine; Linda Kelly of Clarendon; Edwin Coleman of St. Mary and Margarita Ward from Manchester - were each presented with a special plaque by Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke.
The Governor-General said that the Achievement Award was one of the few events he looked forward to each year. He said great work was not only demonstrated in places such as the universities and by professionals such as doctors and lawyers, but "sometimes it is that volunteer who works in the village and makes the village great..."
The Governor-General Achievement Award was established in 1991 and is awarded annually to 14 persons, one from each parish, who have risen from modest social and economic circumstances to uplift themselves and the life of others through contribution to community service. The main sponsors of the event are: The Gleaner Company, Jamaica National Building Society, Victoria Mutual Building Society, FirstCaribbean Bank and Scotia Jamaica Building Society.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
Mr. McPherson, who hails from Brown's Town, St. Ann, was honoured for the outstanding contribution he has made over the years to the various citizens and civic groups in his community.
Miss Kelly, who is from the parish of Clarendon, was honoured for the dedication and commitment extended while serving as member of the JAMAL Parish Committee, secretary of the Citizen's Advice Bureau - May Pen branch, and secretary of the Friends of the May Pen Infirmary.
Mr. Coleman, who was born in Clarendon but moved to St. Mary, was recognised for the outstanding contribution he has given to teaching, as well as service to various civic and community organisations.
Miss. Ward, who has spent most of her life as a teacher, was honoured for her unselfish contribution to community development while serving as an executive member of the Manchester Branch of the Red Cross, treasurer of the Home/School Street Safety Programme, executive member of the Manchester chapter of the Jamaica Government Pensioners' Association.
Mr. Foster was honoured for his dedicated contribution to serving as a Justice of the Peace, a Lay Magistrate and his role in training young persons in his furniture design and construction business based in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. He also served in various capacities in the Lay Magistrate's Association, Friends of the Spanish Town Hospital and the St. Jago Preparatory School Board, among other organisations.
