Recognising commitment to island life

We have known of the couple’s departure from Government House and the island for a while, but the weekend seemed to signal the start of the ‘farewell tour’ as the Lt-Governor hosted his fifth and final garden party to mark the Queen’s Birthday and the islanders recognised in the birthday honours list.

It was a day and an occasion to be grateful for. Aside from the five people receiving MBEs, CBEs, OBEs and a British Empire Medal, also recognised were two charities who earlier this month received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the local branch of the RNLI and Clip (Creative Learning In Prison).

What stands out among those who earned awards is, unsurprisingly, their commitment to the island’s voluntary sector, and making life better for others, whether that be through sport, heritage, education, health or making people comfortable in the last few days of their life.

Once again we pay tribute to them, and give a thought to how our island might be without these inspirational people and the valuable causes they support.

Sir Ian and Lady Corder also, indirectly, paid tribute to other islanders by inviting them to take part in the day’s activities.

Organisations as diverse as the Guernsey Old Car Club, Gadoc and the flash mob dancers from the Guernsey Retro Festival were involved on the day.

As Sir Ian said, they had chosen to invite those organisations they had been most impressed with, or become most attached to over the past five and a bit years in the island.

Islanders who come into contact with our Lt-Governors tend to end up feeling similarly attached and grateful for their time spent in the island and service to our community.

Each Lt-Governor will have their own way of operating, but without fail they commit themselves to the island, frequently through our charitable sector, and do truly play a part in island life.