JAMAICANS in Bermuda have come a long way in only a few years. Once laughingly dismissed as "jump-ups", they have since established themselves as pillars of our community, gaining recognition for the many worthy contributions they have made to the island.

Such will be the focus of the Jamaican Association's celebrations this weekend as they commemorate the 40th anniversary of their island's Independence. Guest speaker at the banquet is Courtenay Rattray, deputy chief of Mission at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, DC.

"The theme for the banquet is preservation of a nation," Association president Ralston Wright said, "through these celebrations, through the Association, we're preserving our culture, our heritage. We'll look back and see how far we've come over the last 40 years; how, despite the struggles and through the good times, we have risen."

Judith Morgan Swan, the Association's 40th anniversary banquet chairman and its immediate past president, echoed his sentiments: "We have grown," she said. "A lot of Jamaicans now own businesses and houses here.

"We've come a long way from being described as 'jump-ups'. We laugh about it now. We're no longer intimidated by that kind of mentality. Where before, many looked at us as if we didn't belong, they now recognise that we're being invited to come on board because of the many things we have to offer to the community.

"I think we broke through when, for the first time, Jamaican (police) officers came here two or three years ago. It was the first time Bermuda had hired from Jamaican forces. It showed that they could use our talent and expertise.

"Look at the Jamaicans we have in positions in Bermudian society - in the prisons, in the hospital. We have restaurants, such as the Jamaican Grill which is a household name, owned by Jamaicans. All of this has helped support us and elevate us."

Jamaica gained its independence on August 6, 1962 under Sir Alexander Bustamante, who became the island's first prime minister as an Independent. The Jamaican Association (Bermuda) was established in the late 1970s as a result of problems faced by a Jamaican national, the late Eunice (Nicey) Fisher, who was married to a Bermudian.

Unable to bring her children from a previous marriage in Jamaica to the island, she turned to her fellow countrymen for help. The Association that formed has around 150 paid members today, although there are about 3,000 Jamaicans living on the island.

"She was going through really difficult times," said Mrs. Morgan Swan. "As a result, people came together and formed the Jamaican Society to help her. They formed this Association to give support and encouragement as it was obvious that strength could be found in unity."

Even today, the organisation exists with that as its aim.

Explained Marlene Flynn-Simmons, a member of the Association's executive who also sits on the 40th anniversary banquet committee: "One of the big things for us even today is to give our strength and support to local and overseas causes.

"We recently donated US $5,000 to the Portland Parish Council in Portland, Jamaica because there had been some flooding there and assisting others in need has been something we've done for many years."

The registered charity, she says, has an education fund through which it regularly presents scholarships to students in need, it deals with any immigration issues that might arise, has a team in the Commercial Cricket League, maintains a regular clean-up at Shelly Bay Park and provides support to locally imprisioned Jamaican nationals, indigents, struggling familes and Caribbean islands in difficulty.

"Basically, we focus on issues that arise or concern Jamaicans or friends of Jamaica," explained Mrs. Morgan Swan, "but we're not exclusive to Jamaicans. What we provide is a forum for open discussion where people can come together."

The Association, its president added, was not immune to Bermuda's politics, especially those issues such as Caricom which carried a Jamaican connection.

"Caricom is good," he said. "Jamaica is one of the forerunners in Caricom but my personal view (as to whether Bermuda enters the Caribbean Community) is that it's up to the Bermuda people and the Bermuda Government to decide on that.

"I think it can be very good for Bermuda in the area of sports, art, education and travel. And especially with the many Jamaicans working here, Bermuda and Bermudians have a strong link with the Caribbean."

In addition to the speech given by Mr. Rattray, tomorrow evening's celebrations will see a performance by dancers from the In Motion School of Dance. As well, the night will pay homage to those Jamaicans on the island who have made contributions to the Bermudian community. The event, said Mrs. Morgan Swan, was similar to those being held wherever there was a Jamaican presence.

"It really is a milestone for us," she said. "When Independence came about, the then-Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, was quoted as saying it was an opportunity for us to face our own destiny and the need to rely on ourselves in so doing. Jamaicans are very patriotic. It's the land that we love and so we celebrate. Here in Bermuda, we make a big thing about it every five years but in Jamaica they do it annually.

"Forty years is a real milestone and so we're going all out and doing something special. Celebrations are not only being held here, but world-wide wherever Jamaica has a presence."

Those interested in attending the 40th anniversary celebrations at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel may purchase tickets either at the In-Between Boutique ( 292-5528) or by calling Mrs. Morgan Swan at 799-1033.