This group of educators was amongst Retired Public Servants honoured for years of dedication during Retirees Presentation of Awards Ceremony held in the Ballroom at Government on Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Pictured seated from third left are Mrs. Jackie Gibson, Minister of Labour and National Insurance and Minister of the Public Service, the Hon. Shane Gibson; and Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Labour and National Insurance and Minister of the Public Service the Hon. Shane Gibson congratulated almost 300 retired public servants for their outstanding years of contribution to nation building.

“We are gathered to celebrate you and to tangibly recognize your years of dedication and hard work to secure our future by charting the course and serving the nation,” Mr. Gibson said. “ We have all benefited from their achievements, dedication to excellence, professionalism and sense of teamwork and collaboration.”

The honourees were recognized during two separate Retirees Presentation of Awards Ceremony held in the Ballroom at Government during the 15^th Annual Public Service & Recognition of Retirees Week, October 14-26 under the theme: “Charting the Course, Serving the Nation, Securing the Future”.

“These words most appropriately describe the approach for the continuity of business in this information age. They encapsulate the strategy required to secure any bright future,” Mr. Gibson said.

He said he was recently told that retirement has killed more persons than daily work . And, that the general perception is that retirees are lonely people who are bored. So family and friends, alike, expect retirees to drop and pick up grandchildren from school and drive them around to their after school activities, run errands, cook meals and serve as a general “gofer.”

The Excellence Award was presented to Kenrick Murray, educator, during the Retired Public Servants Retirees Presentation of Awards Ceremony held in the Ballroom at Government on Wednesday, October 22, 2014. He is pictured receiving his award from Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

“I charge you tonight to change the misconception. Challenge yourself. In the words of an unknown author: “ Retire from work but not from life”. Do those things that work and the rearing of children, prohibited. Volunteer to civic organizations and, of course, your church,” Mr. Gibson said.

He told the retirees that remaining happy would depend upon their individual plans and goals for the months and years ahead.

Mr. Gibson also told the retirees that their “To Do List” is not a “Must Do List”. He admonished them to set their own goals and target and dismiss pressures to meet any deadlines.

“Essentially, retirement is a time to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, where you want to do it and how you want to do it,” he said.

Furthermore, he advised that a happy retirement requires them to be healthy and fit.

“If you have not started already, I charge you to start an exercise routine. Join a gym, walk for thirty minutes a day, and make healthy food choices. It’s okay if the group is talking faster than it’s walking – you’re moving.”

He also challenged the retirees to keep up with technology such as getting a Facebook account, twitter, Skype and sign up for online banking facilities.

Mr. Gibson finally encouraged them to guard their money, as their budgets would be slighter tighter; create a budget and stick to it.

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Mr. Gibson again thanked the retired Public Servants for contribution to this country.

Some 287 Public Officers retired from the Public Service. The honourees, who served a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 49 years worked at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Department of Education, the Parliamentary Registration Department, the Prison Department, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

A Special Award was presented to Dr Cecil Thompson, Deputy Director of Education, and Ministry of Grand Bahama. The Excellence Award was presented to, Sherlyn Hall, Deputy Parliamentary Commissioner and Kenrick Murray, educator. Minister Shane Gibson and Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General, presented the awards.

The Excellence Award was presented to Sherlyn Hall, Deputy Parliamentary Commissioner, during the Retired Public Servants honoured for years of dedication during Retirees Presentation of Awards Ceremony held in the Ballroom at Government on Wednesday, October 22, 2014. He is pictured receiving his award from Minister of Labour and National Insurance and Minister of the Public Service, the Hon. Shane Gibson. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)