NOTED?BROADCASTER?Larry Mayers, one of the recipients on Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year Honours List 2013, said he was humbled by the award for his contribution to broadcasting.
He was one of the outstanding Barbadians who received their insignia from Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave during a ceremony last?Saturday at Government House.
Mayers, an announcer at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contribution to broadcasting which spans over 30 years.
He said the experience was “a signal recognition that people were listening to you” and “when I look back on my life, I think it is the apex”.
Mayers said it was time for people to stop thinking of broadcasting as only music and self-promotion and “look at how we can uplift the society”.
“There are youngsters who fall through the cracks, and hearing us broadcast, we have a right and responsibility to give them something to hold on to.”
Mayers also thanked his wife Nola Bynoe-Mayers, his family, for being there for him through the years, and also acknowledged the contribution colleagues made to his career, including the late broadcaster Peter Wilkinson.
Anthony “Vere” Browne, another OBE awardee, received the recognition for his contribution to culture and industry.
Browne said he did not know the person or people who recommended him but he wanted to publicly thank them.
His job profile included serving as chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation and chief personnel officer of the Industrial Development Corporation.
Joan Lorraine Blackett, a former headteacher of Springer Memorial School, received the OBE for her service to education.
The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson, family members and guests of the honourees.
Those receiving the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) from Sir Elliott were Shirley Vivienne Bell for public service and service to the
legal profession, and Everson Robinson Elcock for his contribution to the business sector.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) went to Victor DaCosta Farrell for service in the field of medical laboratory technology in Barbados and Caribbean
countries and Robert Jeffrey Kinch for service to tourism and hospitality.
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