British Empire Medal awarded to arts and community champion
JUST four words, 'I can't believe it', were uttered by Joan Ozanne as the Lt-Governor secured a British Empire Medal to her jacket last night.
The humble, but deserving, great-grandmother was watched by family, friends and dignitaries as she was honoured for her 'outstanding service' to the community and arts in Guernsey, during a formal ceremony at Government House.
The Lt-Governor Air Marshal Peter Walker, who said The Queen had recently told him she was so pleased to see the British Empire Medal re-introduced in 2012, was among those who praised the tireless work of Mrs Ozanne, which has spanned decades and involved so many groups, committees and community roles.
'It is absolutely overwhelming,' said Mrs Ozanne, after the presentation. 'It is such an honour. It is a strange experience, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it.'
The long and wide-ranging list of committees and groups that Mrs Ozanne has been involved with in her dedication to arts includes establishing the Guernsey Arts Council, launching the Guernsey Lily Amateur Film Festival and being a driving force behind the creation of both the Guernsey Youth Orchestra and the Millennium Tapestry.
