February 4, 2023   |   By: Takiyah Smith    

Twenty honourees from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman were recognised today Saturday 4 February 2023 for exemplary contributions to the Cayman Islands through volunteerism and charitable services. The Sister Islands ceremony is the second and final segment of the annual National Heroes Day Honours for 2023. 

Cohorts from the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service opened the ceremony by posting the Cayman Islands Flag and Union Jack. His Excellency the Governor Martyn Roper, Premier Hon. Wayne Panton, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Hon. Bernie Bush and Speaker Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks were all in attendance alongside other government officials for the event. In his keynote address, Premier Panton spoke to how valuable volunteerism and charitable service has been during recent years. “These past few years have been very challenging for all of us. Across the Caribbean region and the rest of the world, we have been disconnected, isolated, and faced many hardships due to the pandemic, socio-economic struggle and other forces outside of our control. However, in spite of difficulty, these individuals continued to give and make a positive impact on our communities. We rely heavily on the kindness of our service groups and the generosity of our volunteers to keep us afloat during our most challenging times”, he stated. 

Minister Bush acknowledged how the spirit of volunteerism connect all three Islands, saying “our small island populations have been tight-knit, self-reliant and supportive of each other through good times and bad. Today’s recipients have given their time and skills out for respect for their fellow islanders and the land they so dearly love.”

The list of 2023 Sister Islands National Heroes Day Honours recipients is as follows:
Early Pioneers
Mr. Alva “Billy” Bodden
 Mr. Leathan Martin
Capt. Keith P. Tibbetts Sr. MBE, JP
Mr. Rupert Thompson
Pioneers
Mr. Robert Arch
Mrs. Chevala Burke, Cert. Hon, JP
Mr. Wallace Edwards
Mrs. Yvette Gayle
Ms. Marcia Rankin, Cert. Hon
Mr. Ronnie Rankin
Mr. Kevin Roberts
Mr. Raymond I. Scott
Mr. Raymond R. Scott
Mr. Dchalland Seeram
Capt. Isaac Tatum
Mrs. Wanda Tatum, Cert. Hon, JP
Mrs. Elvie Walton-Thompson
Capt. Ivan Whittaker
Charitable Organisations
Lions Club of Cayman Brac
Nominations for the 2024 National Heroes Day honours under the theme Cultural Artists and Creatives will begin later this spring.