The annual Norfolk Island Awards

The annual Norfolk Island Awards were presented at a ceremony held at the RSL Club last Saturday, 15^th June 2024. This occasion also officially ended Bounty week and Anniversary celebrations.

The John Adams - Lifetime Achievement Award – at the Presentations, this is the last of the eight awards to be announced and presented and is the most prestigious. The 2024 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Mr Mervyn Buffett. Announced and presented by Elder Margaret Adams, to great acclaim and pride coming from the audience. The citation reads “This award goes to a person who has made an outstanding contribution by sharing knowledge, skills and continuously practising these ways over his life to maintain and retain the Norfolk history, aklans culture and ways.” As we all know, Merv does all these things every day – not only currently but has done for all his life. He has contributed to the community in developing apiaries in the Island. Through studying bees and his ability to articulate his findings, Merv with Claire has become an established and respected figure internationally for his knowledge on the importance of bees to mankind.

Merv has also documented planting, cultivating, recording and preserving of multiple endemic and native food and plant species with published books. A knowledgeable and active member of the Norfolk Language Commission. A poet and writer as well as a fine (and some time cussed) orator of our history, tales and legends. Always a prominent figure at our Anniversary Day parade and picnic. Over the years a talented and champion athlete – running, tennis, horse racing and Show rider. A long time member of the volunteer rescue association – his common sense, his practical capabilities, calm & gentle manner and physical strength ensuring any stricken person would be reassured as well as rescued.

You could write for pages and still not include all that is Mervyn Buffett. A fine example to all for his humility, his generosity, his extending the hand of friendship and welcome to everyone, his sense of humour and his great strength of character. Thank you Mervyn f’ all you do f’ aklan and for this beautiful side we call Norfolk Island and hoem.

The other seven Awards, and which also delighted the audience for the worthiness of the recipients were:-

Aunt Selina Buffett Youth Award – to a person under 18 years of age who is proactive in social and community situations, especially to others within the cultural aspect.

Announced and presented by Elders Rhonda Griffiths and David Buffett, it was with much delight we saw this Award for a Norfolk Island young salan, presented in 2024 to the delightful Zaria Evans. Zaria has always been an active participant in the Norfolk culture with just some activities being drumming and dancing. She is always conscious of using our Norfolk language as much as appropriate and her lovely Island accent is always a welcome thing to hear. Zaria was very surprised at the announcement of this award and her delightful acceptance speech endeared her all the more. Delightful, charming, endearing are just a part of this strong, gentle and fiercely proud Norfolk Islander.

Thursday October Christian Sport Award – to a person (or team) who truly demonstrates the value of Sportsmanship, as well as aspiring to excellence, participation and

representation under the Norfolk Island Flag. Thursday was an exceptional young man, the first born of our salan in 1790 at Pitcairn; a natural and well loved young leader with a very strong physique.

Announced and presented by Christian elder, Adam Davies, the 2024 Sportmanship Award is to Kayden Judd. Kayden excels in his chosen sport of Clay Target Shooting – a sport his family also participate in. He has been committed to learning not only the sport, but the running of both club and major shoots. He has represented Norfolk Island twice in the New Zealand Nationals, taking out the Junior Trophy Award recently. This year Kayden won the annual Norfolk Island International Clay Target shoot in February, scooping a pool of over 100 shooters from Norfolk Island, Australia and New Zealand. The annual Norfolk Island Clay Target Shoot has been held for 44 years at the Anson Bay club and Kayden is only the third Norfolk Island resident to win in those forty-four years (the previous two winners were Basil Vercoe and Clinton Judd who is father of 17 year old Kayden.) Congratulations Kayden – a great example of personal commitment and family involvement along with a dedicated Club.

John Evans Award - for help exceeding expectation. For a person who does not hesitate to do their duty to help others. Finding courage to fulfil a role and always there to lend a helping hand.
Announced and presented by Elders Mrs Edith Christian and Arthur Evans, their citation read “Despite health challenges, this person continues to be available to help out where needed; has initiated several 'Go Fund Me' fundraisers to help those in need, runs her Online Newspaper from home providing additional information to the community. She is a popular and warm welcomer to visitors, as were her parents. She and her tintoela are a large part of the success of the annual Heiva, by organising, setting up, manning and clearing up the all important cold drinks stands. Another very popular awardee of the evening – Alison Christian Kennerley. (Some o’ yorlye may not know that Alison es kinda shy gairl some time, but she did come up to accept her award and allow her charisma to come through in an acceptance speech.)

William McCoy Business and Innovation Award - for a person who is a visionary and or game changer in their field. Who makes a sustainable and good impact on our society and economy

and who recognises, retains and connects lorng f orl aklan.

Announced by Elders Shane and Catherine McCoy, the 2024 award went to Agnes Hain. Unfortunately, Agnes was unable to be at this year’s Presentation Dinner. Agnes is both a visionary and superstar in the Norfolk Island business world and the entire community which she has supported and so wholeheartedly been part of for most of her life. She also has successfully utilised her business acumen internationally and our community has benefitted greatly from this too. She has singlehandedly developed and owned some of the most successful businesses on Norfolk. She began her first business as a very young person, the iconic Mini Golf. Expanding later to the Bounty Toy Shop. Also built up a successful travel business as well as other interests. Through the years Agnes accumulated a large, loyal and professional team of employees and is a caring and compassionate employer. Agnes Hain is also well known for generous donations of funds to many charitable and community organisations. She has either initiated or been a major sponsor of almost every visitor festival. For many years she has, and continues to sponsor and fund a prestigious annual scholarship for tertiary education which has enabled a large number of our school’s students go on to excel in chosen fields and so benefit our community. A staunch supporter of Norfolk Island and committed Island community member, good salan and innovative business woman – Agnes Hain.

The George Hunn Nobbs Award - is for a Norfolk Island group or organisation which plays a vital role in the social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being of Norfolk Island. This award is named for an Irish man who settled at Pitcairn Island and married Sarah Christian, granddaughter of Mauatua and Fletcher. He was welcomed to the community and soon became accepted as the teacher, healer and spokesman for the people.

Presented in 2024 to Chris Magri - for several years from its inception, the President of the Norfolk Island People for Democracy organisation. The role played is indeed vital to retain our culture and for the wellbeing of our environment and heritage. Chris himself brings business acumen and also economic awareness gained as an elected member of the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly. Chris’ overwhelming poll to recently be elected as a Norfolk Island member of the governance committee no doubt has brought insight into the working and manoeuvres of outside intrusion. As ever, at the forefront of our Norf’k fight f’ our democracy. Thanks yorlye. Thank you and continuing strength to you Chris.

Arthur Quintal Award - Arts : for a person who practices and champions the strengthening of the Norfolk Island/Pitcairn Island/Tahitian link within our culture –

through language, crafts, literature, performing and/or visual arts and the media. Arthur Quintal was another outstanding young man of the first generation born of our people. Much is written of him – his wisdom, his adherence to his Tahitian culture and music, and his ability to learn to read and write in the English language.

Presented by Elder Mrs Gaye Evans, the 2024 award is to Miss Ivy Carr (herself a Quintal descendant). Ivy’s award was received on her behalf by her Mumma, Rebecca. Ivy is currently in Hawaii as part of the Norfolk Island delegation to FestPac 2024, the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. Ivy has been an Island dancer since early childhood; she is an accomplished choreographer, drummer, poet and singer. She speaks in the Norf’k language. Already in her young years, she has made a number of voyages on oceangoing traditional wa’a, practising the ancient skill of her seafaring Polynesian ancestors who travelled the vast Pacific Ocean which is the “highway” that connect us and bring us together. She has studied with Maori in Aotearoa to further her knowledge of navigation, seafaring, foods, etiquette and other Polynesian traditions. As mumma Rebecca said on receiving the Award for Ivy “Ivy se peppa! And Ivy tal some of dem speech at FestPac se laan identity and language ent negotiable! Which more than ever will resonate in this Award for Ivy and all aklan.”

The Hannah Young Award – for a person who is making a significant contribution to the preserving, development and sharing of knowledge for the beneficial progression and growth of Norfolk Islander ethos.

Elders for the Young family, Mrs Robyn Butterfield and Ross Quintal, announced and presented this award in 2024 to Curtis Buffett. This young Norfolk Island man is a teacher at our School which provides the opportunity to share knowledge and demonstrate our ethos to our young people. Curtis said in his acceptance he feels so lucky in what he does in his work. It is obvious his burgeoning knowledge of his culture, heritage, family histories and customs equip him well to beneficially progress awas wieh.

That was the final of the eight award categories. However, this year there were some additional acknowledgments to be made to some remarkable people and groups.

Elder Arthur Evans presented Appreciation Awards to the Norfolk Language Commission – consisting of Mervyn Buffett, Joseph Adams, Kane Anderson, Allan Bataille,

Wesley Quintal, Jane Rutledge, Ngaire Sheridan and Louise Tavener. This very cohesive, very diligent and committed group has systematically progressed their brief from the Council of Elders by meeting together almost every single Monday since July 2022! No mean feat and a wonderful example. Mention was made of the guidance given by Professor Peter Mulhauser and grateful thanks conveyed for his invaluable advice given humbly and with insistence that final decisions were to be the Commission’s. The Council of Elders brief was formulated following a poll which indicated a preferred system and with this mandate the Language Commission has come successfully to this stage. Congratulations yorlye.

A second Appreciation Award was to a couple from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, who were here on-Island. With their family they have been visiting for the past forty years. They have been quietly of help and assistance wherever they can to Norfolk and Norfolk Islanders, often seeing where assistance can be given before we even know we need et. Clive and Lorelle Plater – we saw how shocked they were to be called to the stage and the usually very composed and articulate pair were very emotional in their response. More recently, Clive and Lorelle have found the changes imposed on our governance and intrusion into our customs are distressing and of little or no benefit. They have become warriors f’ aklan by spreading the word where they can, supporting tent embassy and offering the firm and unwavering hand of friendship. Prinke f’ aklan, Clive and Lorelle.

Next, was Mr Ken Christian to acknowledge and reiterate this years Anniversary Day Bounty award, which was posthumously awarded to dar mighty pine tree, Albert Buffett. The first Bounty since his recent passing was difficult for his family and filled us all with sadness.

President of the Council of Elders, David Buffett, paid a special tribute to Albert who had been President of the Council of Elders for many years until ill-health caused him to resign. David, on our behalf, thanked Albert’s wife, Jeanette, and family for attending and the honour this was. A gentle and devoted family and community man, Albert rose and excelled as leader of the Elders during the 2015 unwarranted and unwanted takeover of our government. His visits to Canberra, London and New York with presentations and petitions to politicians and to the United Nations are initiatives which are continued. David presented a bouquet of beautiful flower to Jeanette with thanks for her support of awa much loved and missed Albert.

And to a group of very young people - we kaa f’get how we were entertained by them in Louise’s play which had premiered at the recent Theatre Festival. This beautiful work, with our young people playing their ancestors with so much feeling and love, follows their leaving of Pitkern, sea voyage and arrival at Norf’k. Thank you Lou, Rose and the great cast.

Thanks to Georgia Douran and band of helpers who set up and decorate the club and dinner tables - each year different and always sensational. Thanks to the RSL Club, committee and staff. To Vuni in the kitchen f’ good thing f’ eat and wonderful young wait staff.

Congratulations and thank you to all recipients of the 2024 Norfolk Island Council of Elders Awards.