Anniversary Day Weekend, Norfolk Island – Bounty Day 2025

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 Sunday, so the annual Kingston gathering was held on Monday 9 June to celebrate the 169^th Anniversary of the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders on Norfolk Island on 8 June 1856.

On Saturday 7 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.

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 169-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 the boat commenced at 9.30am on a lovely sunny morning. The morning walk started around 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, enjoying the beautiful day as we passed the old military buildings and tent embassy. Thank you, Ric Robinson Clive Plater Lorelle Plater for representing NI Tent Embassy. These historic buildings, 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 walls at the Quality Row houses and helping the little ones as they balance along the stone fences.

The Norfolk Pinetree’s Tour bus was organised to transport those unable to walk from the Kingston Pier to the Kingston cemetery and back to the All-Saints Church Compound. I am sure that everyone on board enjoyed the ride as Damian drove the salan to the cenotaph and then up Quality Row to the Kingston Graveyard.

The cemetery is always special with prayers and we all sung hymns, ‘In the Sweet Bye n Bye”, as the family lay flowers on ancestors’ graves. Everyone was invited to refreshments at Government house gardens after they crossed the Kingston golf course. The children love rolling down the grassy hill sides, this is an age-old tradition. Plus, the children delighted in jumping over the small stream and the muddy pond at the base of the hill, splashing and having lots of fun.

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 2025 silver plate shield winner was the Quintal Family, congratulations yorlye.

An incredibly special prestigious Norfolk Island Award was also presented, this year “2025 Norf'k Ailen Award” to Mr Duncan Edward and Mr Mervyn Buffett, and family members accepted this.

Norfolk Island Award was awarded to two very worthy recipients this year.

Mervyn Buffett - accepted by his daughter Jeanette Buffett and Grandson Curtis Buffett.

The Late Duncan Edward - accepted by his wife Kim Edward and Daughter Renee Van Kalken and Grandson James.

Also judged was the Bounty Beard Champion, the 2025 winner was Ross Delaney, 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 Quintal Family the winners for the Bounty Day Trophy, the best beard Ross Delaney. The special “2025 Norf'k Ailen Awards” two awards this year to Merv (Mervyn) Buffett, also an award for the late Mr Duncan Edwards.

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.

Following the amazing picnic, the music and dancing commenced with the Norfolk Island Baunti Beauti dances delighting the crowd, dancing their wonderful traditional Norfolk Island dances to the local Norfolk Island and Tahitian music. The families were busy photographing and taking videos for their little salan dancing. The children also enjoyed running and playing in the grassy area and the boys enjoyed playing footy on the sunny afternoon.

I enjoy 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 will post 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 week on Friday 13 June 2025, the community will gather for the Council of Elders Norfolk Island Community Awards. Nominations for the 2025 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. The eight Awards categories are Young Salan (under18), Heritage, Citizenship, Arts, Sportmanship, Business, Group or Organisation and the Lifetime Achievement Award. This will be a beautiful evening, held at the Norfolk Island RSL Memorial Club on Friday night.

Thank you to the Norfolk Island Council of Elders for all the work organising this amazing Bounty Day events for the community to come together and celebrate the Anniversary of the arrival of their ancestors on Norfolk Island.

Betty Matthews

13 June 2025