'If Tobago has the grow, then we must experience some growing pains.'
This was the advice of THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine as he addressed the Tobago Day Awards on Monday at the Shaw Park Complex, where 28 Tobagonians were honoured in various spheres.
The Tobago Day Awards are held during the annual Tobago Day celebrations in recognition of the outstanding achievements and contributions of Tobagonians to the development of the island.
Awards were presented in recognition of Tobagonians who have provided distinguished and outstanding service to the island in public service, culture, sport and education. The Tobago Medal of Honour (gold) is awarded for distinguished and outstanding service to Tobago and the silver is awarded for long and meritorious service to Tobago. The bronze medal is awarded for loyal and devoted service beneficial to Tobago in any field of human endeavour, gallantry or human action. The Chief Secretary's Award is for outstanding contributions and significant achievements towards the development of Tobago.
Augustine said the awardees were 'particularly pleasing.'
'I saw the awards committee making an effort to go at our community leaders, our village heroes.
'This small token is really reflective of a larger society that is filled with brave Tobagonians with heroes who have contributed to our development as an island.'
He said the island's challenges must be owned.
'We have to find comfort in the discomforting fact that challenges are part of those.
'Sometimes, I feel as though we settle, but for us to really grow, we have to own the challenges, take command over them and get over them to really develop.
'Don't see the challenges as necessarily a problem but see it as growing pains as part of the growth process for the island.'
Kyla Keith-Wilson was the awardee of the Chief Secretary award in Sport.
She said: 'I'm still blown away, I am so humbled by the experience of just being considered, it's just mind-blowing, it's still hard to accept.'
Keith-Wilson coached the U18 national team for the recently culminated Commonwealth Youth Games 2023 and operates the only netball academy on the island, resulting in several Tobagonians being a part of the national team.
She continues to encourage a community spirit.
'Stick to it, be committed, give it your all. Young people need people to look up to, they need people to guide them so just come out, give of your time, it has no rewards in it but just that fulfilment of seeing young people grow and glow in the long run. So come out and just give back to young people.'
Coach Terry Williams got the bronze medal for sport. Williams has been a football coach for decades and is the head coach of Phoenix FC, which has produced outstanding players and continues to contribute to sport on the island.
'I am feeling very proud, and I want to say thank you to the people who nominated me - I've been working long and hard in the vineyard, and I am glad that somebody remembers and appreciates me.'
He shared some advice: 'Keep
