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150 Outstanding Jamaicans to Receive National Honours and Awards This Year

By: , August 8, 2024
150 Outstanding Jamaicans to Receive National Honours and Awards This Year
Photo: JIS File
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

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One hundred and fifty Jamaicans will this year be recognised by the Government with honours and awards for outstanding service in various fields.

These will be bestowed on them during the annual investiture ceremony on National Heroes Day in October.

Heading the list of honourees is Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, CD, who is one of eight individuals to be conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ), for invaluable contribution to the field of tourism, promoting human resource sustainability, and climate resilience.

He is also being recognised for 40 years in the public service, including more than 38 in representational politics and 21 years as a government minister.

Other notable Jamaicans being bestowed with the OJ are Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, for outstanding contribution to public service and politics, including more than 31 years in representational politics and 22 as a government minister; Professor Wendel Abel, OD, for outstanding and invaluable contribution to psychiatry, particularly in the area of mental and community health; and Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, CD, for sterling contributions to entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

Others shortlisted for the nation’s fifth highest award are Her Excellency Audrey Marks, for outstanding service to the Government and people of Jamaica in her contribution to economic development, promotion of social development enterprises, and nation-building; Hon. William Shaghoury, CD, for contribution in business development, philanthropy and community development; Lyttleton “Tanny” Shirley, CD, for sterling contribution to the public and private sectors; and Senator Donald Wehby, CD, for sterling contribution to business and entrepreneurship.

Thirty persons will be conferred with the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Commander [CD]; 38, the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer [OD]; two, the Badge of Honour for Gallantry {BH (G)}; 35, the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service {BH(M)}; and 36, the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service {BH (L)}.

Among the awardees are several Jamaica Information Service (JIS) team members.

The OD will be bestowed on L. Seaton Richards for 50 years of dedicated contribution to Media Production in Television Broadcasting at the JIS.

L. Seaton Richards will receive the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD) for dedicated contribution of 50 years to Media Production in Television Broadcasting at the Jamaica Information Service.

The Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service will be presented to Dave Reid for contribution to photography and photojournalism, and Rosalee Ann Marshall for dedicated and distinguished service to the Public Sector.

Photographer, Dave Reid, will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service for contributions to photography and photojournalism.
Office Manager, Jamaica Information Service, Rosalee Marshall, is to receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service for dedicated and distinguished service to the Public Sector.

The Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service will be presented to Maxine Shrouder for 40 years of service in the field of communication and media through the JIS.

Senior Photo Librarian, Jamaica Information Service, Maxine Shrouder, is to receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service of 40 years in the field of communication and media.

Meanwhile, the Medal of Honour for Gallantry will be awarded posthumously to Police Constable Ricardo Fairclough, for displaying great courage in the face of extreme danger.

He went above and beyond the call of duty to challenge an armed man who shot and injured a vendor in St. Ann on Monday, April 15, 2024.

During an ensuing gun battle, Constable Fairclough was shot and later died in hospital.

His action in saving the life of the vendor is deemed heroic.

Under the National Honours and Awards Act, promulgated on July 18, 1969, provision is made for outstanding Jamaicans to be conferred with one of the Orders of the six Societies of Honour.

The six honours are the Order of National Hero, Order of the Nation, Order of Excellence, Order of Merit, Order of Jamaica and the Order of Distinction.

There is also the Medal or Badge of Honour, which recognises gallantry and meritorious service.

Last Updated: August 8, 2024

Jamaica Information Service