Pamela Gordon tops the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List, with the Queen recognising her historic role as Bermuda's first female Premier by appointing her a Dame of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE).

Dame Pamela was recognised along with seven other Bermudians whose appointments were announced late yesterday. Included in the honours was clinical pathologist Dr. Keith Cunningham and patron of the arts George Elliott, who were both appointed Officers of the British Empire (OBE). Famed Bermudian sailor Alan Paris was recognised as a Member of the British Empire.

Recipients of this year's Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour were philanthropist David Barber, nursing veteran Cynthia DeSilva, volunteer extraordinaire Joan Dismont and Bermuda's dog warden Leonard "Shinah" Simons.

Dame Pamela has been honoured not only for her historic appointment to Premier in March 1997, but also for her service to Government, both as a Senator and a Government Minister.

A Senator from 1990 until her election to the House of Assembly in October 1993, at which time she had already been serving as the Minister Of Sport and Recreation for a full year.

She would later head up the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Recreation, and then serve as the Minister of the Environment, Planning and Natural Resources, the position she would hold until her appointment as Premier.

With the change of government in November 1998, Dame Pamela became the Leader of the Opposition United Bermuda Party.

She held that position she held until her resignation from politics in 2001. Dame Pamela's public life also encompassed service on the Tourism Board, the National Drug Strategy Committee, the Youth Advisory Council, and Leaders of Tomorrow as well as the deputy chairmanship of the United Bermuda Party.

Geoffrey Elliott's OBE appointment comes not for government service but rather for his outstanding contributions to Bermuda's cultural heritage. With his wife Fay, Mr. Elliott has made invaluable donations of Bermuda themed art rendered by acclaimed artists, including the Thomas Driver Collection of Bermuda watercolours.

The Elliotts' collections are currently exhibited at the Bermuda National Gallery as well as the Fay and Geoffrey Elliott Room they donated to the Commissioner's House in Dockyard.

Also appointed OBE is Dr. Keith Cunningham who first entered the medical profession as a clinical pathologist over 30 years ago when he was the only black male doctor at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Since that time Dr. Cunningham has dedicated his life's work to developing pathology in Bermuda.

He ensured the availability of sickle cell anaemia screening on the Island and has helped to raise the local blood bank to international standards.

This year's honours list also recognises Alan Paris solo voyage around the world, a first for any Bermudian.

In addition, Mr. Paris serves as the director of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

One of Bermuda's most active philanthropists is receiving the Queen's certificate at the age of 91. David Barber's generosity has reached across the spectrum of Bermuda's community, funding countless projects throughout the years including Warwick Academy's Sixth Form Building, the Cardiac Wing at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, three exhibition rooms at the Maritime Museum, and the Physical Abuse Centre.

He also enabled Project Action to provide free transport to senior citizens, through three vehicles he donated in memory of his wife, the late Mary Barber.

Cynthia DeSilva received recognition for her dedication to nursing for the past 28 years as well as her contributions to related areas of the community. Entering the nursing profession in 1975 and specialising in geriatrics, Mrs. DeSilva served as the Senior Nurse at the Pembroke Rest Home and provides home wound care for King Edward VII Memorial patients. For her service to the KEMH, she was recognised as Employee of the Quarter and Nurse of the Year. In addition to nursing Mrs. DeSilva has also tutored with the Reading Clinic for several years.

The End-to-End Super-Star Joan Dismont received honours this year for completing her 18th charity walk ? at the age of 74.

Over the years this grandmother has raised over $25,000 through her participation in the event, and is the only person to complete all 18 of the walks. In addition to her walking prowess, Mrs. Dismont has distinguished herself as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, The Botanical Gardens Visitors Centre, The National Trust and Department of Tourism Visitor Industry Partnership programme.

Mr. Leonard Simons, JP, is best known as "Shinah" Simons, the dog warden, but has had a varied and interesting professional and community life. Prior to his career as a dog warden, Mr. Simons served in the Police from 1979-1987 and is currently the Department of Education Attendance Officer Co-ordinator.

Mr. Simons has also been notably active in the community, serving as a leader of the Bermuda Boy Scouts Association from 1981-2004 and is currently the Assistant Commissioner. He is also the director of the Bermuda Dog Training Club and the Bermuda Kennel Club, saxophonist and director of the Somerset Brigade Band, drummer with the Bermuda African Dance Company and treasurer of the 100 Black Men of Bermuda

One can also add hero to the list of Mr. Simons' accomplishments: he saved a drowning man's life at Horseshoe Bay for which he received a Bermuda Bravery Award in 1976.