Members of the community who have gone above and beyond in their special field can now be nominated for recognition in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

The honours recognise those who have made “outstanding achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Bermuda over a sustained period of time”, Government House announced this morning.

Where possible, nominations should be for persons who are still active in their chosen activity, have recently retired or who have had a recent notable achievement.

Honours are awarded twice a year, on New Year’s Day and in June, to mark the Queen’s birthday.

Anyone can put forward a nomination. Typical categories and achievements include:

• Making a difference to their community or field of work;

• Enhancing Bermuda’s reputation;

• Long-term voluntary service;

• Innovation and entrepreneurship;

• Changing things, with an emphasis on achievement;

• Improving life for people less able to help themselves;

• Displaying moral courage and doing difficult things.

Honours are given to people involved in different activities, including:

• Community, voluntary and local services

• Arts and media

• Health

• Sport

• Education

• Science and technology

• Business and the economy

• Civil or political service

“The honours are a tangible way of rewarding those people whose service to the community, in one form or another, has been exceptional,” Governor George Fergusson said. “Those to whom Her Majesty awards honours have usually shown a lifetime commitment to the work they do on behalf of others, or have demonstrated an extraordinary degree of excellence.

“I hope members of the community will take this opportunity to nominate people whom they think deserve recognition so that they can be considered.”

Premier Michael Dunkley said he was pleased to support broadening the scope of people who could submit names for consideration.

“Bermuda is fortunate to have a number of people who work consistently to help others in the community. For these individuals, the work is usually its own reward, but the Honours system is a way for the community to say thank you for their outstanding effort and to recognise those special individuals who put country and people first for the betterment of Bermuda.

“I encourage anyone who knows someone who is deserving of an honour, to please take the time to nominate them for an award.”

Queen’s certificate nomination forms can be downloaded from www.gov.bm.

Completed nomination forms must be received by May 31, 2015 to be considered for the 2016 Queen’s New Year Honours List.

As a precaution, those who nominate an individual they consider worthy of an honour are requested not to advise the individual or discuss the matter with them.