Norfolk Island Council of Elders 2025 Norfolk Island Awards

The 2025 Norfolk Island Awards were presented last Friday evening at the annual dinner, held again this year at the RSL Club. Thanks to the Club members and management for facilitating this lovely evening. Thanks to Vuni in the kitchen and April on the floor for our dinners. For the beautiful decorations and welcoming atmosphere thanks to Georgia Douran, Lizzie Randall and the indefatigable Robin Butterfield.

The evening began with the beautiful vocals of Porpieh Jam (kar done a love that name). Performing a number of Island songs by various writers – how awesome was “Haere Mai” by family team of Pauline (words), Mauatua and Oihanu (arrangement) and set to the theme music from the movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” (Marlon Brandon & Trevor Howard starring). With Norf’k words voicing the woman who had ended up on Pitkern – their song to the goddess Hina. Porpieh Jam’s final number was Eileen’s song (both a plea and a warning) “Du wii lorss awa Way”.

To the happy hum of chatter, clink of glass, laughter the announcement and presentation of awards began.

Mrs Cherie Nobbs acknowledged the awardees of the Bounty Day Recognition Awards presented at the Anniversary Day celebrations. These were to Mr Mervyn Buffett – an icon and major contributor to past Bounty’s (see last week’s paper) and Mr Duncan Edward – also a passionate protector of our island and the creator of the Bounty Day Award.

~The Aunt Selina BUFFETT award to a young person (under 18). This award was named for Aunt Selina, the last surviving of our original settlers who arrived on 8^th June 1856 as an infant. In 2025 this award goes to a young Norfolk Islander who has worked hard to achieve her goals and to excel in many areas. She is a wonderful role model. She is prepared to motivate and encourage others. She tirelessly gives 100% effort to attain her accomplishments. Exemplary in her hard work to fund her goals by creating and selling at the Island markets, working at Foodies and somehow finding time to begin an apprenticeship as a barber. She has been and continues to be a great ambassador for Norfolk Island during her participation in off-island activities. Presented by Rhonda Griffiths and David Buffett, Elders representing the Buffett family, to a delightful Norfolk Island young lady – TIMI SNELL

William McCOY Award, for Business and Innovation - presented by the McCoy Elders, Shane McCoy and David McCowan. In 2025 this award goes to two people who have worked hard to develop a business that is geared to meeting the islands needs in this day and age. They are very generous in their sponsorship of local endeavours and sporting activities. They have also put enormous efforts into telling the story of the Norfolk Island people through a very popular tourist activity. Not resting on the laurels and successes of many generations, they have strengthened and built on the goodness and gains of their ancestors. Their family commitment and example they set their children is sure to continue this legacy for the good of us all. Congratulations (and Thank You) CHARLES & KIM CHRISTIAN-BAILEY.

~The George Hunn NOBBS Award, for a Community Group/Team or Organisaiton - presented by the Nobbs Elder, Cherie Nobbs.

In 2025 awarded to the Norfolk Island MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS GROUP and accepted on behalf of this wonderful group by Melinda Hassen and Jeanette Buffett. This group works tirelessly (and mostly unobserved) in reaching out to vulnerable people whose needs have been overlooked. By maintaining a presence they also provide a point for those who suffer silently and unseen to reach out. The group has worked extremely hard to provide resources, funding and training to make life better for many people. The group is a diverse mix of people who are trained, untrained, empathetic, tragedy surviving or untouched by trauma. In common however they are determined to improve wellbeing. Thanks yorlye.

~The Hannah YOUNG Award is given for Education & Inspiration and was presented by the Young Elders, Robin Butterfield and Ross Quintal.

In 2025 the Hannah Young Award goes to a man born, raised and lived all his life on Norfolk Island. He has, among other things, developed a passion for our sea life. Particularly the sharks in our waters. His interest and personal research has led to international interest from National Geographic, scientific experts and international research teams in this area. He has put in a great deal of time to teach our young people to appreciate and respect our marine life. He is a popular youth group leader; environmentalist; horticulturalist; approachable very popular citizen. Young husband to a supportive and lovely wife, a father, a son, a brother and an accepting friend. He shares his knowledge freely. Awarded to the truly inspirational MARK SCOTT.

~The Arthur QUINTAL Award, for Norfolk/Pitcairn Culture & the Arts.

In 2025 the award was presented to a lady who has shown a lifetime love for, and interest in the arts. She has used her skills and interest to promote a love for Norfolk Island and broader Polynesian culture. She has played a major role in building on our connections with Pitcairn Island, and through her longstanding local business, she has enabled our tourist visitors to gain a greater awareness and appreciation of our island culture, art and traditions As a very young woman she was wise beyond her years and was so aware of and understood possible future courses; she championed and advocated for her people. She shares her knowledge. Her learning, creativity and passion continue unabated.

Presented by the Quintal Elders, Gaye Evans and Lew Quintal to SUE PEARSON.

~The John EVANS Award for citizenship, helping above and beyond and quietly helping to maintain Norfolk Island customary events.

In 2025 the lady receiving this award has been a caring and hard-working member of this community for nearly 50 years. She has taught and mentored generations of our young people, both at Banyan Park and at our Central School. Her decades of assistance and curriculum planning to Banyan Park was voluntary unpaid labour of love. Among other things, she has been a chief organizer of our iconic Easter Carnival, encouraged and facilitated the participation of students in the A&H Show and is a driving force in ensuring that the children learn dancing and participate in the Bounty Ball. All these things involve many after hours and voluntary work. And for a number of years she did all this while being a young mother with a full-time job. As a teacher at our School, she has for many decades helped families to raise funds and plan year 6 tours to Australia (and after two weeks of 24-hour living with her students on tour, she becomes so attached to her students that waving them off to their homes is a very emotional – and tearful - separating for her.) In her profession, her community and her family she gives her all. Though recently retired, she remains active and fully participating in all those voluntary roles.

Presented by the Evans Elders, Edie Christian and Arthur Evans. Awarded to ROZ TIERNEY (… thanks f’ us Messus Teeney).

~The John ADAMS Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2025 this award goes to a lady who has made an enormous contribution to the preservation and promotion of Norfolk Island's history across both the British Penal Settlement and the Pitcairn Settlement. She has given many decades of dedicated time to the Norfolk Island Museums by both creating and guiding tours and in conservation work. She has been passionate about passing on the traditional knowledge and culture that has been handed down to her by her forbears. All of those things while easily put into a few sentences require long hours of research, seeking answers, learning of and understanding past ways. Accuracy is paramount. She has spent many hours with our tourist visitors and provided answers or assistance. She has been recognised for her Customer Service a number of times. Despite recent bouts of ill-health, she remains ever ready to have a good laugh, a quick wit and ability to send you on your way feeling happy.

Adams Elder, Margaret Adams presented this Award to MARY COOPER.

Following the NI Awards presentation, two Appreciations Awards were given. Elder Lew Quintal read a citation to the late Duncan Edward. This award was accepted his wife Kim and two of their children, James and Lisa.

"A person dedicated to his beloved Norfolk Island, taking part in numerous activities. A Stevedore here for 44 years, becoming the works supervisor 'Chiefy' before he retired. He was involved in the restoration team as a master joiner on the KAVHA building maintenance team. He was also a member of the KAVHA advisory committee representing the Council of Elders. He travelled to Gallipoli in 2015 and laid flags for his beloved home, Norfolk Island. Above and foremost his biggest love of all was for his wonderful family. This award goes to a lovely person, a true believer, this award goes to no other than our departed friend and colleague Duncan Edward".

Elder Ross Quintal read the second citation. "Tonight the Elders would like also to acknowledge some very important silent members of our community, who without fail, turn up no matter what day, time or weather is thrown at them. Some of these men have committed their time, strength, knowledge and Island respect for over 40 years. One could imagine gut plenty stollii, jokk and good humor that is best kept between this band of men. However, the island could not exist without them. The Council of Elders would like to call the current longest serving volunteer, https://www.facebook.com/vince...

A standing ovation was given these two citations.

To conclude, President of the Norfolk Island Council of Elders David Buffett gave a speech of thanks to all for the whole Awards event and the presentation evening. David made special mention of Mrs Robin Butterfield for organising and overseeing it all. She heads the organising group and she does it all from start to finish.

The evening formalities concluded with the Anthem.

(PS – so much more to say on all the Awardees. And so many good salan make up awa beautiful Island. Thank you all.) And hopefully we can fit in some photos courtesy of and thanks to Gaelene who jumped in as official photographer when told to and with no prior request or warning – thank you).