Grand Cayman, 25 March 2022 – History was made on Tuesday, 22 March when a meeting of the Cabinet was held in Little Cayman for the first time ever.

Official and elected members of the PACT Government gathered this week in Little Cayman for three days of meetings and engagement with the Little Cayman community. The attendees included His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper; Premier, Hon. G Wayne Panton; Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson; Ministers, Attorney General and Parliamentary Secretaries.

They were also joined at the social events by the Speaker, Hon. McKeeva Bush, who was assessing the possibility of having future meetings of Parliament in Little Cayman.
          

The visit began with a special service on Sunday, 20 March at the Little Cayman Church. Praise and worship were led by Nurse Charmaine Coore and Brother Fernando Yorke.

The congregation enjoyed a special rendition of “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands,” sung by the only current students of Little Cayman Education Services Jhade and Miguel Thompson Jr. The siblings represented multiple generations of Little Cayman as the great-grandchildren of tourism pioneers the late Mr. Sam and Mrs. Mary McCoy.

Pastor Randy Von Kanel shared a special message on the importance of service and offered encouragement to the Government delegation. The Premier offered brief remarks on behalf of the Government.

On Monday, 21 March, the elected government gathered in the Grouper Room at the Little Cayman Beach Resort for its weekly Caucus meeting.

On Tuesday, 22 March morning, official members of the Government joined the Premier and elected Ministers for the historic first meeting of Cabinet, which was held at the same venue.

The Premier and Minister for Education, District Administration, Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, MP for Cayman Brac East, also hosted a special reception that afternoon for the residents of Little Cayman at the Seahorse Boutique and Coffee Shop, owned by Mr. Ed and Mrs. Gay Morse.

Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Samuel Rose acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Attendees were also treated to a spread of light fare and musical entertainment by Mr. Raymond Walton, while mingling with members of Government.

The most notable part of the evening was the presentation of National Heroes Day awards to three of Little Cayman’s Uniformed Services pioneers. The late Mr. Irvin Bruce Eldemire was honoured with the Early Pioneer award for his outstanding contributions to the Little Cayman community through his multiple uniformed posts, including District Officer. His award was collected by his wife, Mrs. Nelvie Eldemire, and a moment of silence was held in his memory.

The first recipient of the Pioneer award was Little Cayman District Officer, Mr. Tate Adonis McFarlane, for his past contributions as a Customs Officer and his work in his present role. The final award was presented to Mr. Robin Levi Walton for his contributions as a member of the Cayman Islands Fire Service.

The Premier expressed pride in the historic achievement on behalf of the PACT Government. “My vision is for a more inclusive Cayman, one that embraces the uniqueness and diversity of all three islands,” he added.

“We agreed it was important for the Government to experience for themselves as individuals and collectively, one of the world’s greatest treasures – Little Cayman. There was truly no better place to conduct our official business this week.”

Pic #0891: Church attendees take part in the Sunday service.

Pic # 0942: Premier Hon. Wayne Panton gives his address.

Pic#1020: L-r: front row: Attorney General Hon. Samuel Bulgin; Premier Hon. Wayne Panton; Pastor Randy Von Kanel; Minister, Hon. Andre Ebanks and Parliamentary Secretary, Ms Heather Bodden; back row, l-r:  Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Samuel Rose; Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson; House Speaker, Hon. McKeeva Bush; Deputy Speaker and Parliamentary Secretary, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Isaac Rankine 

Pic #1176: District Administration Minister, Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly presented to Mrs. Nelvie Eldemire the Uniformed Services Early Pioneer award that was bestowed on her husband, the late Mr. Irvin Bruce Eldemire, MBE, JP. Seen with them are, from left, Premier, Hon. Wayne Panton, Culture Minister, Hon. Bernie Bush and District Commissioner, Mr. Mark Tibbetts.

Pic #1176 cropped: District Administration Minister, Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly presented to Mrs. Nelvie Eldemire the Uniformed Services Early Pioneer award that was bestowed on her husband, the late Mr. Irvin Bruce Eldemire, MBE, JP.

Pic #1196: Little Cayman District Officer, Mr. Tate McFarlane with his Uniformed Services Pioneer Award

Pic #7528: L-r: Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Samuel Rose; Deputy Clerk of the Cabinet, Ms Davina Wilson; Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson; His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper; Minister, Hon. Kenneth Bryan; Premier, Hon. Wayne Panton; Ministers Hon. Johany Ebanks and Hon. Sabrina Turner; Attorney General Hon. Samuel Bulgin; Ministers Hon. Andre Ebanks, Hon. Bernie Bush and Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly