By PETER GREEN
In October 1978, the then Chief Justice Sir Isaac Hyatali commented on the low salaries and unattractive conditions for judges making it difficult to attract top legal talent. He warned that the country was heading for a situation where “the brandy will have to be watered considerably to fill future vacancies on the Bench.”
Well, right away, my mind went straight to this year’s National Awards list. I was flabbergasted that Sylbert “Bellman” Robley was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) at the Trinidad and Tobago 57th National Awards Ceremony.
So what did this Bellman do to earn this award?
Robley, 78, of Indian Walk, Moruga, received the medal in recognition of more than five decades of community and Spiritual Baptist service. But his main contribution was ringing the bell at all UNC meetings. He was most present at UNC meetings during the 2025 election campaign. So ringing a bell does bring rewards.
the Prime Minister
Next UNC meeting, I am offering my services as I have a bell too. I hope I would be in line for a National Award in 2027, eh Prime Minister!
Talk about watering down of the brandy!
But Bellman is not the only surprise for me on that list. I am happy for the five journalists who were honoured. I am especially happy for Andrea De Silva as she made her mark internationally. Jai Parasram was a stalwart in the early days of TTT. I cannot remember any big story coming from Omatie Lyder, but she served 43 years at the Express.
Wade Mark was obviously rewarded for his 35 years in the Senate – in and out of Government. He even served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and now President of the Senate – casting his vote when necessary. But what about Dr Suruj Rambachan. In all my years in and out of the government system, I tried everywhere to find out what Rambachan did to deserve this award and moreso the ORTT, our nation’s highest award. He was a Government Minister – failure. He was Ambassador to Brazil – nothing much achieved. He was Mayor of Chaguanas. I am still looking. Many persons have other worse things to say about him but let’s leave that there for now.
Some people are saying that Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, as chairman of the National Awards Committee, gave himself the award. But all Chief Justices get the Order of the Republic (ORTT) and before that, the Trinity Cross. It is the same for all Presidents.
DESERVING AWARDEES
* Among the deserving awardees were Shamsudeen Ayube and Vallence Rambharat of the Hunters’ Search and Rescue Team. This team has been the saviour for this country. They have been tracking down missing persons with great success. When the police and Defence Force personnel failed, the Hunters Rescue Team prevailed.
* Rawle Raphael pioneered athletics in Trinidad and Tobago for more than 50 years. A co-founder of the Hampton International Games, he is a distinguished figure in Caribbean athletics and is known as “Mr Hampton”. He served as President of the Hampton Athletic Club up to 2010, a club that produced elite athletes such as Edwin Roberts and Hasely Crawford.
* The Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force, established on May 10, 1910, is one of the nation’s longest-serving youth development organisations. For 116 years, it has developed disciplined, responsible and service-oriented young citizens through leadership training, mentorship, community service, camps, vocational training and ceremonial service. It currently serves more than 2,300 cadets and recruits nationwide.
* Destra Garcia has made a lasting contribution to the development and representation of women in Trinidad and Tobago through her career as a soca artiste, songwriter and motivational speaker. Known as the Queen of Soca and the Queen of Bacchanal, she has taken Trinidad and Tobago’s music to audiences across the Caribbean and internationally, establishing herself as one of the genre’s most recognizable female voices.
