Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased on the occasion of Her Majesty's Birthday and on the advice of Her Majesty's Saint Lucia Ministers, approved of the following Honours in the Birthday Honours List 2000

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

D.B.E.

Marie Selipha Sesenne DESCARTES

SLMM, BEM

For services to Folk Culture and Arts and to the Community, on the occasion of the observance of the twenty-first anniversary of St.Lucia's Independence.

Marie Selipha Sesenne Descartes, is truly a Saint Lucian cultural and folk icon. She has over the years been referred to as Saint Lucia's "Queen of Culture" and "Queen of Folk", titles which she has won by popular acclaim. An accomplished folk singer or "chantwelle" known for her extraordinary vocal range, she has been instrumental in bringing Saint Lucian folk music to the attention of regional and international audiences through her numerous stage performances. She has served as a veritable ambassador for Saint Lucia overseas, and at home has promoted and popularised the folk arts, folk traditions, and other indigenous cultural manifestations with unwavering passion through her cultural activism.

Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St.Michael and St.George

C.M.G.

Cornell Waldemar James Christopher CHARLES

For services to Business and Commerce

Mr. Cornell Charles has played a major part in the business and commercial life of Saint Lucia for over 40 years.A successful entrepreneur, his interests have covered the broad spectrum of commerce, manufacturing, banking and real estate development.Government has over the years made extensive use of his knowledge and skills by appointing him to numerous Boards and Committees with responsibility in such areas as Broadcasting, Air and Sea Ports, National Insurance, Agricultural Development, Banking and Housing. He has also served as President of the St.Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and Chairman of the St.Lucia Save the Children Fund.

Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

O.B.E.

Michael Peter BARTLETT

For services to St. Lucia

Mr. Michael Bartlett has been for the past twenty years a very active St.Lucian resident in the USA where he has dedicated his life for the St.Lucian community. He has participated at leadership level in the major associations of St. Lucians in the USA and has provided selfless, yeoman voluntary service to St.Lucia's two diplomatic missions in New York. He has also actively facilitated increased contact between St.Lucian organisations and other Caribbean and African-American communities in the USA. He has been a prime organiser of a continuous annual flow of toys from New York for underprivileged children and students in St.Lucia at Christmas time, both in depressed communities and through home-based community and service organisations. Even in ill health, he has remained true to the cause of unity and constant contact between St.Lucians in the USA and at home.

Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

O.B.E.

George Stanley Oliver CHARLES

For service to the Armed Forces,Sports and to the Community.

Mr. Oliver "Smokey" Charles has lived a life of dedicated service to Britain and to St.Lucia through active duties as a soldier and policeman, and in the field of sports. He enlisted and served in the Second World War. He also served the Royal St.Lucia Police Force for 34 years, rising from the rank of Constable to that of Superintendent. He was also active in the island's Scout Movement, rising from an early organiser in the 1940s to Deputy Chief Commissioner in the 1990s. He has been active in organising and participating in national sporting activities for the past 55 years, especially in the football arena, serving as a national player for 22 years, and as Captain and Coach of successive successful police and Community teams. In addition, he also has the distinction of being a pioneer of Women's Football at the national and Olympic levels.

Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

M.B.E.

Martha PIERRE

For service to the Community and Education

Miss Martha Pierre has dedicated all of her adult working life to service in education and related fields. That journey started in 1951 at the tender age of 15 when she joined the teaching profession as a Primary School Teacher. She quickly rose through the ranks of the teaching service as a result of her dedication and hard work. In 1973 she became involved in the field of educational administration at the national level as a District Education Officer, and ten years later in 1983 was appointed Deputy Chief Education Officer. In 1987 she was appointed Registrar of Saint Lucia's lone tertiary institution, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. She formally retired in 1999.

Her community service was also exemplary, focusing on the development of young women. She was an active and leading member of the Girl Guide Movement and served as Island Commissioner on two occasions 1974 - 1975 and 1987 - 1990.

Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

M.B.E.

Laurie Michael Emmanuel AUGUSTE

For service to Public Administration and Sports Development

Mr. Laurie Auguste has committed himself to national and community service for the past 55 years, serving as a Civil Servant and as a Sports administrator and coach at home and abroad. He gave dedicated national public service in the fields of agriculture and human resource development and served the St.Lucia Civil Service Association at various leadership levels for many years His service to sports at the national and community levels spanned several disciplines, including cricket, amateur athletics, women's cricket and International Olympics, as well as netball, football and table tennis He has also been an active participant in the development of carnival activities.

Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

M.B.E.

Percival MC DONALD

For dedicated Public and Community Service.

Mr. Percival Mc Donald has provided dedicated public and community service over the years - as Administrative head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Co-operatives and the Environment; the Ministry of Health, Housing, Information and Labour; and the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and International Financial Services; through the Church, and through community groups.

Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

M.B.E.

Rupert Martin POLIUS

For service to Sports

Mr. Rupert Polius is best known for his contribution to Saint Lucia in the field of sports, in particular football and cricket. That contribution spanned a period of approximately fifteen years during which time he served as a role model for colleagues and younger sports enthusiasts. His dedication and excellence in both disciplines earned him a continuous place on National Teams (10 years in football and 8 years in cricket) as well as on the Windward Islands Team (4 years in cricket). Rupert Polius has twice served as National Cricket Captain, was voted Footballer of the Year twice, National Cricketer of the year once, and Windward Islands Cricketer of the year once.

British Empire Medal

B.E.M.

Pius BASTIEN

For services to the Community

Mr. Pius Bastien has been a very active community worker for a number of years serving through the Church and in the field of sports administration. He remains a committed educator and administrator with over 20 years experience as a School Principal.

British Empire Medal

B.E.M.

Lucy HONORA-GASPARD

For services to the Community

Ms. Lucy Honora-Gaspard has been an active and dedicated community worker for a number of years. As a midwife and Community Health Nurse she was very well placed for social engagement with the community and provided valuable and dedicated community service through the Church, in the field of Adult Literacy and to the elderly.

British Empire Medal

B.E.M.

Augustus Obed Belmar REGIS

For services to the Community

Mr. Obed Regis has been very active in community development affairs and on representative bodies dedicated to the village's interest. He has been recognised over the years for his contributions, at the national and community levels, to farming and to the organisation of farmers. He has served as a leading member of successive Local Government Bodies in his village. He has also been very active in Christian activities, as well as in the organisation of mothers and fathers, and married couples, to serve as role models.