Tables turned on woman who so often gave the good news
A WOMAN who broke the news to many that they were being honoured by the Queen said it was a strange feeling when the tables were turned on her.
Tina Pipet, who was personal assistant to four Lt-Governors from 2006 until her retirement in April, is made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of her service at Government House.
A personal gift from Her Majesty, the order was created in April 1896 by Queen Victoria, as a way of rewarding personal service to her.
Mrs Pipet received the news in a letter from Buckingham Palace.
‘It’s unbelievably special,’ she said. ‘I gave so many people surprises over the years, it seems strange to be receiving the good news instead of giving it.’
Mrs Pipet began working at Government House in September 2006 on the back of a 10-year career in the civil service.
‘Opportunities like that don’t come up very often and I’ve been very fortunate to do a job that was so special,’ she said.
‘We’ve sprinkled fairy dust for a lot of people, but then there’s been sadness too.'
Probably the biggest example of that was in September 2015 when then Lt-Governor, Air Marshal Peter Walker, died suddenly, which, she said, was not only tragic but particularly difficult and challenging.
While Mrs Pipet has been fortunate enough to meet the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, she never met the Queen, who last visited the island in 2005.
‘That would have extra special, but as I’ve worked for the Lt-Governor who represents her, I feel as though I have worked for her indirectly,’ she said.
As part of a small office team, the role of the PA included responsibilities that would otherwise have fallen to an executive assistant.
She worked in support of both the Bailiwick’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee programmes.
Originally due to retire from Government House in 2021, Mrs Pipet volunteered to stay on for another year in order to provide a degree of continuity through the change of Lt-Governors during the global pandemic and lockdowns.
