3 January 2017 | Comments
‘I am pleased to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has conferred the award of an MBE to Mrs Ivy May Yon in recognition of her services to the voluntary and tourism sectors and the teaching profession in St Helena.
‘Throughout her life, Ivy has supported and helped many people in the community who were less fortunate than herself, especially those who needed help in bringing up their children when times were more difficult than they are now. In the voluntary sector, Ivy was a member of the Girl Guide Movement for over 60 years, having been a member of the Brownies, Girl Guides and Ranger Units, and subsequently serving as a Brownie Guide Leader for 45 years. She continued in this position after her retirement, before finally relinquishing the role in 2014. Her contribution to the development of so many young girls over this 45 year period of service is immeasurable when considering the many skills the girls attained and use in their lives as a result of Ivy’s teaching and guidance.
‘Ivy has worked in the Tourism sector as a guide for the Napoleonic properties for a number of years, making herself available for tours of Longwood House and developing an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of Napoleon’s life – in particular the years that he spent on St Helena. Ivy has spent many hours talking to tourists, journalists, members of the public and schoolchildren as she conducted her tours and her significant contribution to this aspect of the Island’s tourism sector cannot be underestimated.
‘Ivy has also made an unstinting contribution to the life of the Church by fundraising and being a member of the Choir and Parochial Church Council.
‘Alongside her voluntary work, Ivy was employed in the teaching profession as a Primary School Teacher for 18 years prior to retirement, guiding and developing the Island’s children.
‘I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Ivy on this well-deserved Award.’
Lisa Phillips
Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
30 December 2016
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