Bounty Day dawned overcast and windy but as so often happens the clouds part and the sun shines and this year was no exception and after the landing of the weary travellers onto the Pier where they were greeted by Mr and Mrs Stewart, Captain Denham and the Speaker of the Assembly, the parade of Bounty folk in the usual wonderful array of Bounty clothing set off on their Bounty Parade stopping at the Cenotaph for the laying of wreaths, and at the Cemetery for families to pay their respects to their ancestors while Islanders sang their favourite hymns with great gusto; all of which combined to make for a happy crew with a great thirst to wend their way to Government House to enjoy a cuppa before the judging of the Island families to see who this year would take away the much coveted Bounty Plate. His Honour the Administrator and Mrs Walsh this year awarded the trophy to the Young Family, which included visiting Pitcairn Islanders.
Bounty Day would not be complete without the families gathering in the Compound for their Bounty Picnic and what a sumptuous feast was again on display. It was with some trepidation that I, in my role of first female Speaker of our Legislative Assembly, made my inaugural speech of welcome to those gathered for lunch; and I thank His Honour the Administrator for his address in reply. It is always wonderful when the Pitcairn Grace led by Island elder Mr George “Kik” Quintal echoes around the Compound walls signalling it is time “for the feast to begin”. The celebration of the 154th Anniversary of Bounty Day concluded with the Bounty Ball at Rawson Hall – a fitting finale to a wonderful day honouring the arrival of the ancestors from Pitcairn on 8 June 1856 and continuing the wonderful culture, traditions and hospitality of the Norfolk Island community.
Assembly documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf
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