Dereck Rogers BEM
Tristan's Veterinary Officer Dereck Rogers was awarded a British Empire Medal |
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Administrator Alex Mitham led the tributes and said: I am delighted that Dereck Rogers has been recognised for all his tireless work on Tristan da Cunha and been awarded a BEM. This is richly deserved, and I know the whole community will be pleased to hear the news. |
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Dereck has been a keystone on Tristan, and is instrumental in supporting the community; From all his work in the Catholic Church, the charitable endeavours, at Island Council, in agriculture, and as the only Vet on the island – he has been kept continually busy for many years. I have seen how much Dereck cares for the livestock and pets on the island, being called out night and day to tend to their well being. Dereck has shown real dedication and commitment in ensuring that not only the animals on Tristan remain fit and healthy, but horticultural practices are maintained and sustained on the island for generations to come. (I have also been fortune enough to receive Dereck's expertise in looking after the Residency dog Nelson with much patience!). Dereck should rightly be admired for his support of the community and his unflagging endeavours to safeguard the island. Well done Dereck, and I look forward to congratulating you in person when I return. |
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Dereck in 2015 |
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Soon after Dereck was promoted to Head of the Agriculture Department he was seen driving the department tractor homewards from the Potato Patches on a sunny Saturday afternoon in 1983. In those days there were very few vehicles and only one in private ownership, so 'Decky' as he is always called, led the way to help as many with transport as he could. The man with a blue cap is one of Decky's older colleagues Gabriel Lavarello - and it is a tribute to him that he commanded respect from his elders who he was responsible for managing. |
Dereck volunteered join a St Mary's School |
Former Tristan Administrator Sean Burns (now Acting Governor for St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) added Having commenced work in the Agriculture Department at the age of 14 some 43 years ago, Dereck became Head of Department and has been the island’s only vet for over 30 years and so has played an essential role in this remote community which relies heavily on agriculture for its survival. His work in maintaining a healthy and productive breeding stock through good husbandry practices has ensured self sustainability of the community into the future. As the island’s only Vet, Dereck was quite often required to work 24 hours per day, having to juggle his various responsibilities and over the years, has been able to establish his own veterinary care unit. Development of horticulture has also featured in Dereck’s work, attending the island’s fresh produce in an adverse environment, battling poor growing conditions and invasive species. His work has included working with the younger generation, teaching them to have an understanding of the environment and horticulture and its importance to the community. Dereck has also acted as a Lay Minister for the Catholic Church for over 30 years, helping to raise funds for the construction of the Island’s first Catholic Church in the early 1980s and was also a member of the Tristan Island Council for a number of years. Through his services to the Island, Dereck has become a well respected member of the community and I am sure you will join me and the people of Tristan da Cunha in congratulating Dereck on this well deserved award. |
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Photo of Dereck and Hilary when staying in Dorset in 2005 when visiting Paul and Geraldine Repetto. |
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Dereck's job as Head of Agriculture |
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Two photos of Dereck in his role as St Joseph's Catholic Church Lay Minister:
Left - with Mgr Michael Bernard McPartland, Apostolic Prefect of the Falkland Islands and the South Atlantic Ocean and with fellow Lay Minister Anne Green in 2011; Above: Officiating at the Harvest Festival Service in 2013. |
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Editor's Note: |