Anniversary Day Norfolk Island – Bounty Day 2022

Next Wednesday is the 166^th year Anniversary Day, also known as Bounty Day. The 8^th June celebrates the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders on Norfolk Island back in 1856. It is time to get ready for this week’s celebrations when the Norfolk Island community join together to celebrate Anniversary Day – Bounty Day.

It is a special event on Norfolk Island and many family members normally return home to join family and friends on Bounty Day. Anniversary Day is a public holiday on Norfolk Island and this year, Monday 8^th June, is the day we will head downtown, ready for the special Bounty Day walk through Kingston. Descendants participating assemble at the Kingston Pier at 9.30pm. The Picnic - Grace will be sung for lunch at 1pm. The Council of Elders propose games and entertainment after lunch to honour Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee.

Pitcairn families will dress in period costumes and re-enact the arrival of their Pitcairn ancestors, as they landed at the Kingston Pier, Norfolk Island all those years ago, and this year will be 166^th year anniversary. It is now time for everyone to check out their Bounty Day clothing, see if they still fit and families can start to plan what everyone will be wearing on Anniversary Day. Remember to check out the Norfolk Island Op-shop if you need any items, they have a Pitcairn clothing display organised.

The lunch time feast that follows the procession march is incredible, with traditional foods from many of the families and it is a privilege to be invited to join the local families on Anniversary Day.

I have always enjoyed taking photographs every year since I moved to Norfolk Island. Bounty Day is a fantastic photography day, recording history for future years.

The 2022 Bounty Ball will be held at Rawson Hall on Saturday 4th June

The Bounty Ball dancing and music is a very special Norfolk Island tradition. Remember this year the Bounty Ball will be held a Rawson Hall at 7pm on Saturday evening. Everyone is invited to watch and join in the dances, so grab your dancing shoes and your camera to capture some photos of the family and enjoy the evening at the annual Bounty Ball.

I look forward to the beautiful Bounty Day morning 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 the 2022 Norfolk Island Anniversary Day event as the community walk from the Kingston Pier to the Cemetery.

Thank you to everyone for letting me share these treasured memories of Norfolk Island Bounty Day. Here are a few of my favourite Bounty Day Photographs for you to enjoy

Betty Matthews
June 2022