RJRGLEANER Honour Awards gets ‘new look’ in 39th year
FORMER GOVERNOR general of Jamaica, Sir Florizel Glasspole, received the first Honour Award in 1980 – 39 years later, this award has proven to be the premier of its kind in Jamaica.
Since then, the likes of Gordon Shirley, the legendary sprinter Usain Bolt, Dr Peter Phillips, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, former Prime Minister Edward Seaga and the former Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, among others, have taken home the accolade, which serves to highlight the distinguished and positive contribution each has made to Jamaica’s development in their respective field of endeavour.
Come the night of Wednesday, February 20, the next chapter will be written, as one of the nine 2018 RJRGLEANER awards category winners will be selected as the RG Platinum Award winner – replacing the ‘Man of the Year’ award, at a posh gala dinner at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
It is a fitting example of the inclusiveness of the multimedia group, and a strong message of the growth of the awards, which is now in its 39th year.
CEO of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, Gary Allen, noted, “Everything we do in this awards programme is for our recipients and the many persons who they inspire through their words or actions. We have the announcement of the winner of the rebranded top award, the ‘RG Platinum Award’, among a number of other new and exciting elements for our guests on Wednesday. The awards represent our partnership with invested stakeholders in Jamaica’s future, and we remain committed to using our resources for the benefit of all Jamaicans.”
The RJRGLEANER Honour Awards recognises the initiative, accomplishment and courage of individuals or organisations that have contributed significantly to improving Jamaica’s quality of life, at any time in the preceding 12 months, or is likely to bring about such a change in the immediate future.
Winners are fêted at two awards functions each, a category luncheon and the gala awards dinner, providing at least two opportunities for them to interact with the organisers and selection committee, as well as to invite persons who have contributed to their success.
BEST OF 96 NOMINATIONS
In addition to the nine category winners, six special awards and one Lifetime Achievement Award are to be presented, representing the best of the best of 96 nominations reviewed by The RJRGLEANER Honour Awards Selection Committee.
Meanwhile, major sponsors Red Stripe and Barita Investments are looking forward to the gala. Red Stripe will present an award to one of the award winners, who they will recognise for their positive impact on Jamaica.
“The Red Stripe STAND UP Award recognises that worthy recipient, be they individual or organisation, which goes against the odds to give back and to positively impact Jamaica. It’s a celebration of those who stand up for what is right, those round pegs in square holes who see things differently, those who possess the drive and determination to change the world,” said Nomonde Donsa, head of marketing for Red Stripe.
Dianne Clunie-Wallace, marketing and client services manager, Barita Investments Limited, noted her company’s delight at being associated with the awards.
“We at Barita are exceedingly bullish about a prosperous future for Jamaica. We believe in excellence and share the governor general’s sentiments that ‘there is nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed by what is right with Jamaica’,” she said.