Administrator General’s Department Honours Staff

The Administrator General’s Department (AGD) of the Ministry of Justice, on October 30, honoured some 50 current and former employees at a Retirement and Long Service Awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.
The ceremony, the first such in the agency’s 135 year history, saw 43 current employees and seven retirees, who have served the agency, for periods ranging between five and 35 years, being recognised.
In her address, guest speaker, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, Q.C, commended the retirees for their sterling contributions, and urged the honorees, still employed to the Department, to continue their outstanding service.
“To those of you who are being recognized this evening for long and dedicated service to the Administrator-General’s Department, I urge you to continue to serve this organisation and this country with pride and integrity. Continue to shape and mould the lives and future of those beneficiaries, who you have given a chance at a better and brighter future, because of how you manage and invest their funds, and how efficiently estates are closed,” she stated.
Senator Lightbourne commended the AGD for recognising the awardees for their 677 cumulative years of service, describing it as “an accomplishment and.. testimony to the commitment and dedication of your outstanding honourees.” She also had encouraging words for the retired staff.
“Retirees, for you, this. marks the culmination of 194 cumulative years of service to your country. What could be more fulfilling than knowing you have helped to form the character of many young children or the knowledge that you have had a positive impact on somebody’s life, and that you did your best. The (remaining) awardees are now charged to continue thinking creatively, to continue the outstanding work of the Department,” Minister Lightbourne emphasised.
In the meantime, the employees expressed delight at being recognised by the Department.
Retiree, Elsie Walker, who was honoured for 40 years of service, described her experience at the agency as “great”.
“This is my university. I learnt everything here,” she said, while noting that she experienced immeasurable joy during her tenure.
Another awardee, Gay Clunis, advised that she spent 38 years at the AGD. “It’s been a wonderful experience.I don’t regret one moment of it. Just for a client to say ‘thank you’, gives me satisfaction,” she stated, and urged other civil servants to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities.
The AGD was established in 1873 to satisfy the need for a duly authorised office, to take charge of the property of persons who either die intestate or without appointing an Executor, or who appoint an Executor who refuses to execute his or her duties.
Over the years, the AGD’s role expanded to incorporate handling, almost exclusively, all intestate matters of minority beneficiaries, under 18 years, in fulfillment of their mission, “to protect the interests of minors, beneficiaries, and creditors of the estates”, which the law requires the Department to administer.