Changes approved for Gold Award of Achievement

Legislation that allows groups of people to be conferred the Gold Award of Achievement and expands the areas of service for which persons can receive the fourth-highest national award, was passed in the Senate on Wednesday.

The Gold Award of Achievement (Amendment) Act, 2021 got the nod of the Upper House without debate, after being introduced by Senator Kay McConney.

Under the amended legislation, groups are eligible for the honour which is currently given only to individuals who have performed meritorious service to the community or country.

The other change in the legislation is to have the awards conferred on Independence Day or National Heroes Day and not just the latter, as currently obtains.

Additionally, Senator McConney explained, the areas of eligibility have been expanded in the amended legislation.

“We have included other areas of meritorious service or achievement which can be included so that the eligibility for this award would now read: that through diligence, sacrifice, dedication to service and commitment to excellence, that the person or group on whom it is conferred have made an outstanding contribution to community life in Barbados, the improvement of the economic and social conditions of Barbados, or – and this is the additional part – the health and welfare of the people of Barbados,” she said.

Senator McConney stressed the difference between the Gold Award of Achievement and the Gold Trident of Excellence, a similar national award. The latter is given for a body of work, service or achievement over an extended period while the Gold Award of Achievement is specifically for work, service or achievement during the year preceding Independence Day or National Heroes Day.

The highest national award is that of National Hero, followed by The Order of Freedom of Barbados and The Order of the Republic. (DP)