Cayman Islands Civil Service celebrates long service

The dedication to serving their community shown by 261 government workers in Grand Cayman was celebrated at the Civil Service Long Service Awards last Friday (20 February 2017).
The event, held in the historic grounds of Pedro St. James, acknowledged the service of civil servants of 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years standing, from a wide cross-section of government ministries and departments.
Emceed by Government television personality Donna Bush, celebrants listened to 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, Mrs. 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. 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 publicly thanked the Cayman Islands Civil Service Association Management Council for their joint sponsorship of the event.
In his remarks Acting Governor, Hon. 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, Dept. of Environment (30 years); Adrian Estwick, Dept. of Agriculture (25 years) and Roydell Carter, Dept. of Environmental Health (25 years) and Chief Justice Anthony Smellie (30 years).

(GIS) Captions
500 – The Acting Governor, the Hon. Franz Manderson presents Chief Officer for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, Alan Jones, with a Long Service Award and Certificate.

613 – Carolyn Parsons, Restmin “Nellie” McCoy and Meredith Hew enjoyed the warmest applause of the afternoon on receiving their awards for 45 years of service.

503 – Trenda Kelly from the Department of Commerce and Investment was one of the first honourees to receive her Long Service Award and Certificate.

467 – Emcee Donna Bush gave a helping hand to Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose during his rendition of the National Song at the event.
562 Jeff Jackson was delighted to receive his Long Service Award and Certificate at Pedro St. James.

0615 – Civil Service Long Service Award honourees were feted during last Friday’s event.