G.G. Colville Young Retires!

Sir Colville Young officially left the Office of the Governor General today at an official ceremony held to honor his life of service to the people of Belize. The Governor General handed in his resignation last month after almost three decades as the representative of Queen Elizabeth the second.

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

As he arrived at the House of Culture in Belize City to officially demit office of the Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young was welcomed with the royal salute – a musical greeting and mark of respect for the man who has served as the representative to Belize’s Head of State Queen Elizabeth the Second for twenty eight years.

He was installed as Belize’s second Governor General on November seventeenth 1993 and has been the longest serving Governor General in the Commonwealth.

Sir Colville Young served as G.G. under the administrations of former Prime Ministers Manuel Esquivel, Said Musa and Dean Barrow, and six months under Prime Minister John Briceno until he gave notice of retirement.

The official farewell for his departure from the office of the Governor General was full of pomp and circumstance – lead by the Belize Defence Force Band and the Guard of Honor made up of B.D.F. soldiers, Coast Guards and Police officers, as well as representatives from the scouts and girl guides of Belize.

Prime Minister John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber, Acting Chief Justice Michelle Arana, other government officials and members of the diplomatic corps were in attendance today as they honored the esteemed statesman. And today, as he retired he gave thanks as he reflected on his years or service.

Colville Young

Sir Colville Young, Governor General

“In saying thanks, above all I remember the young people of Belize. Whether scouts or guides or musicians taking part, like Dr. Villanueva mentioned…sometimes they surprised me.”

But his life of service to Belize began before he became the beloved and respected Governor General. During his years as an educator Sir Colville was the founding president of the then University College of Belize.

Lynn Young

Lynn Young, Son

“I don’t think he hesitated because he has a tremendous love for the country. I would have to say that he has the kind of make from the George Price, the Philip Goldson and so came from and so it was country before everything else, right.”

And he also loved music – a passion that forged into a mission to propel the creative arts in Belize – spanning decades of work that have helped to define and promote Creole culture.

Felene Cayetano

Felene Cayetano, Librarian, Belize National Library Service

“Doctor Young has contributed to the literary arts, among these, chiefly has to be his contribution as a writer, as an author of plays and short stories of music and …also seek to emulate and his plays.”

But his involvement in the arts continued during his tenure as Governor General – it just took on another form. He will be remembered for his music in schools program; pushing other music like the steel pan and the band fest.

And like the way his interests touched lives, like his work with the scouts, Sir Colville Young will be remembered as a man who connected with the people:

Eric Neal

Major Eric Neal, Former Aide De Camp

“He is just that type of man, humble, compassionate individual who understand the importance of knowing people and where needs be providing just those words of assurances for others. It is not, I will say from my experience he never allowed the role to fill his head.”

And now that G.G. Sir Colville Young retires – Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie will act as Governor General until the Froyla Tzalam is installed as the next Governor General of Belize. She received the outgoing G.G.’s blessings as he departed office.

Sir Colville Young

“Uneasy is the head that wears the crown….during my tenure of office as governor general of Belize.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.