Anniversary Day weekend Norfolk Island – Bounty Day 2024

The 8 June is always a very special occasion on Norfolk Island, it is when the community celebrate Anniversary Day also known as Bounty Day. Last weekend Bounty Day fell on Saturday, so the annual Kingston gathering was held on Monday 10 June to celebrate the 168^th Anniversary of the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders on Norfolk Island on 8 June 1856.

On Saturday 8 June the Bounty Ball was held at Rawson Hall. This year I did not attend, but I have seen fantastic photos on social media with the children all looking amazing. Also, the grand opening of the Bounty Cannon at the RSL was at mid-day on Saturday 8 June. I attended and will share the photos on a separate article.

Every year for Bounty Day, Pitcairn Island descendant families enjoy dressing in period costumes as they re-enact the arrival of their ancestors, as they landed at Kingston, Norfolk Island, all those years ago, and this year it was the 168-year anniversary. I love the plaited hats, and I wear my Norfolk hat with pride.

Locals gathered at the Kingston Pier and the re-enactment of the arrival of be boat commenced at 9.30am on a lovely sunny morning. The morning walk started at 10am leaving the Kingston Pier and everyone then walked from the Pier to the cenotaph, where wreaths were laid to pay respect to those who joined

the services and went to war. Then up Quality Row past the historic buildings, which were the homes of the Pitcairn Islanders when they arrived here, making Norfolk Island their new home in 1856. It is fun watching the young ones walk the garden walls and helping the little ones as they balance along the stone fences.

The Norfolk Tours bus was the first tourist bus on Norfolk Island, was used to transport those unable to walk from the Kingston Pier to the Kingston cemetery and back to the All-Saints Church Compound. The old blue bus looked fantastic, and I am sure that everyone on board enjoyed the ride as Charles Christian-Bailey drove them to the cenotaph and then up Quality Row to the Kingston Graveyard.

The cemetery is always special with prayers and hymns as the family lay flowers on ancestors’ graves. Everyone was invited to refreshments at Government house gardens after they have crossed the Kingston golf course. The children love rolling down the grassy hill sides, an age-old tradition. This year there was heavy rain overnight and the small stream had overflowed forming a muddy pond which was enjoyed by the children who had lots of fun splashing and jumping in the water.

Refreshments were ready when the Pitcairn families arrived at All-Saints Church. All of the 8 Pitcairn families groups gathered together at the church ground for the judging of the best family, the Engeldow Trophy is always closely contested, and this year’s 2024 silver plate winner was the Buffett’s Family. An incredibly special prestigious Norfolk Island Award was also presented, this year “2024 Norf'k Ailen Award” to Mr Albert Fletcher Buffett, and family members accepted this award. Also judged was the Bounty Beard Champion, the 2024 winner was John Chapman, Mrs Carlton judged him as the best in the line-up of beards.

Everyone then headed over to the “Old Convict Gaol” grassy compound and picnic food was unloaded from cars and all enjoyed a fantastic picnic lunch, starting with singing Grace and the announcements of the winners for the Bounty Day Trophy, the best beard and the special award to late Mr Albert Fletcher Buffett, “2024 Norf'k Ailen Award”.

The lunch time feast that follows the procession march is incredible, with traditional foods from many of the families. There is always enough food to feed the community for a few days.

This year there are many of the Norfolk Island Baunti Beauti dancers and musicians and delegates the away in Hawaiʻi at FestPac for the Cultural Festival of the Pacific, so this year there was wonderful traditional Norfolk Island music played on a sound system, and the children all enjoyed running and playing in the grassy area.

I have enjoyed Bounty Day, every year since I arrived here in 2011. I have a busy day taking photographs, and every year it is interesting looking at the images and seeing Norfolk Island families enjoy this special day together.

I love photographing the children walking the walls as well as the crowds walking the Kingston roadways which are lined with old convict walls and Norfolk pine trees. There were so many people, the visitors were excited to be able to attend the special Norfolk Island anniversary. I took many photographs, and I have posted many on my Facebook page, Norfolk Island photos. Here are a few of my favourite Bounty Day Photographs for you to enjoy.

Anniversary Day and the Bounty Ball are all amazing events. Thank you for letting me share these treasured memories of Norfolk Island Bounty Day. Thank you everyone for attending and to the Norfolk Island Council of Elders, the busy organisers and helpers for all the work organising this amazing day who made this another lovely Anniversary Day. Happy Bounty Day, I hope yorlie enjoyed this wonderful Norfolk Island celebration.

This weekend on 15 June 2024, the community will gather for the Council of Elders Norfolk Island Community Awards. Nominations for the 2024 awards are now closed. I am sure there will be many salan who will receive the special awards, acknowledging the rolls they play in our community. This will be a beautiful evening, which will be held at the Norfolk Island RSL Memorial Club, doors open 6pm for 6.30pm start.

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.

Betty Matthews

14 June 2024