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'Wonderful day' for GG Achievement awardees

Published:Wednesday | November 17, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The following are recipients of the Governor General's Achievement Award at the pinning ceremony and reception held at King's House, St Andrew, yesterday. Back row (from left): Clasford Woolery, Dr James Peart, the Rev Dr Robert Daley, Sylvester Bryan, Stanley Skeene, Archibald McCalla and Rion Hall. In centre row: Paul McNeil, Dr Cindo Nicholson, Hugh Perry, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Lady Allen, Linda Sutherland, Patricia Pringle-Baker and Dr Trevor Hacker. At front: The Rev Father Dr Barrington Buchanan. - Rudolph Brown/Photographer

Of the 14 individuals honoured yesterday at the 19th annual Governor General's Achievement Awards for community service, Paul 'Pablo' McNeil's tears were what touched the hearts of attendees.

McNeil, or 'Coach' as he is fondly referred to, is most famous as high-school coach for Usain 'Lightning' Bolt and Lerone 'Seabiscuit' Clarke.

"Today is a wonderful day in my life," he said, his eyes watering.

However, as Herbert Elliott - who has known McNeil since 1962 - puts it, "Everyone seems to have forgotten that McNeil is famous in his own right."

McNeil was once a cricketer who played on the national team and for the West Indies. He also represented Jamaica at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics, as well as the Pan-American Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, the West Indian Championship, the Canadian National Championship and the Commonwealth of Nations Games.

In 1965, he was a co-record holder with Olympic gold medallist Herb McKenley.

McNeil said that, despite feeling forgotten for a number of years, he was honoured.

His eyes watered again and he chuckled, saying, "I'm highly emotional."

Others honoured

During the ceremony, held at King's House in St Andrew, 13 other persons were honoured at the national level for their contributions to their communities and, by extension, Jamaica.

They were Sylvester Bryan of Clarendon; Stanley Skeene of Manchester; Linda Sutherland of St Mary; Dr Cindo Nicholson of St Ann; Hugh Perry of Portland; Dr Trevor Hacker of Westmoreland; Archibald McCalla of St Catherine; Patricia Pringle-Baker of St Thomas; the Rev Dr Robert Daley of Hanover; Clasford Woolery of St James; Rion Hall of Kingston; Dr James Peart of St Andrew; and Rev Father Dr Barrington Buchanan of St Elizabeth.

The national honourees under the youth award for excellence are Merritt Brian of Hanover; Pherone Griffiths of Trelawny; Charlene Jackson of Manchester; Jason McNeish of St Catherine; Fitzroy Hamilton of Kingston; and Michelle Gordon, also of Kingston.

Buchanan said he, along with the awardees, was privileged.

"We have been enabled to contribute to the various communities," he said.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen acknowledged the recipients and their achievements.

"Today's (yesterday's) function, however, is to applaud and celebrate some of the outstanding contributions that Jamaicans are making in their local communities across the island.

"I am extremely proud of the strong community spirit that exists in the parishes, and I am sure you will be inspired by the service and work of these award recipients," Sir Patrick said.