Anniversary Day & Bounty Ball – 8 June 2024

This weekend on Saturday is the 168-year Anniversary Day, also known as Norfolk Island Bounty Day. The 8 June celebrates the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders on Norfolk Island back in 1856.

It is a very special event on Norfolk Island. Many family members return home for the re-enactment of their Pitcairn ancestors arriving on Norfolk Island all those years ago. Anniversary Day is a public holiday on Norfolk Island and this year, Monday 10 June is the day we will all be downtown at Kingston, ready for the special Bounty Day walk through Kingston, with hymns and flowers at the cenotaph and cemetery, and lots of smiles and chats with family and friends.

It is now time for everyone to plan what they will be wearing on Anniversary Day, maybe it is time to check out their bounty day clothing and see if they still fit. The challenge is then to plan what traditional whettle treats they will be making for the Bounty Day picnic. I love the picnic in the Kingston Compound, starting with singing grace and ending with the Baunti Beauties dancing and especially the little ones when they join in with the big dancing girls, plus it is fantastic to see the boys are also learning traditional dances to share with the community.

This weekend on Saturday 8 June is the Bounty Ball, which is another beautiful tradition here on Norfolk Island. Rawson Hall will once again be filled with the children who have been busy learning ball room dancing and will be looking forward to dressing up on the big night on the weekend. Parents, families, and

friends will be watching and photographing them as they dance the night away, and there are a few trophies as well, I’m sure the judges will have a tough time choosing winners. Everyone is welcome, the doors open at 6pm and dancing starts at 6.30pm. The Bounty Ball is an important part of Bounty Day events, 8 June is the Anniversary of the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders in 1856, celebrated as the National Day and the beginning of the Norfolk Island people. Thank you to all the organisers and the tutors who have been spending time with the students over the past few months.

Thank you to the Norfolk Island Council of Elders for all the work organising this amazing day for the community to come together and celebrate the Anniversary of the arrival of their ancestors on Norfolk Island. If you are joining the Bounty Day March, assemble at the Kingston Pier early Monday morning and the walk will start around 9.30am, but for all the details and times, please listen to the local Norfolk Island Radio for times to meet at Kingston Pier and other details of the 168^th Anniversary celebration.

This weekend there is also another special event on Saturday 8 June. The Council of Elders have invited the community to a gathering at the Norfolk Island RSL Memorial Club from 11am

for the Grand Opening of the HMAV Bounty Cannon in the Norfolk Island Military Museum. Norfolk Island Community entrusted Owners were gifted the HMAV Bounty Cannon, and it was unveiled on Bounty Day on 8 June 2018.

Plus, the Council of Elders are organising a Norfolk Island Community Awards on Saturday 15 June, there will be a beautiful evening, which will be held at the Norfolk Island RSL Memorial Club, doors open 6pm for 6.30pm start. Meal tickets are now available, get your tickets for the Council of Elders Norfolk Island Awards 2024 at the Foodland Mall this week in the mornings. Nominations forms are available from Paw Paws and The Gas Centre. Nominations close 10 June, so be sure to grab one and nominate your deserving person.

I look forward to the beautiful Anniversary Day at Kingston, I have our Norfolk plaited hats ready, and I will have to make sure I have plenty of room on my camera to capture another stunning Norfolk Island event. Here are a few favourite photos from previous Bounty Days.

Happy Bounty Anniversary Day

Betty Matthews

7 June 2024