Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen has installed the Honourable Icilyn Golding, CD, JP, as the new Custos for the Parish of St. Catherine. The Installation Ceremony took place on Tuesday morning, November 23 at the National Police College of Jamaica at Twickenham Park.
Commenting on Custos Golding’s suitability for the post, The Governor-General said she knows the Parish very well. He added that her involvement in community development spans over 40 years, therefore she is well-placed to provide the leadership to inspire and instill a strong sense of direction for the population of over 518,000 persons.
The Governor-General presents the Honourable Icilyn Golding with the Magistrate’s Roll at her Installation Ceremony as Custos Rotulorum for the Parish of St. Catherine on Tuesday November 23, 2021 at the National Police College of Jamaica.
Speaking on the responsibilities of a Custos, Sir Patrick said the role is not all about prestige and privilege but is also about the opportunity to serve and make a meaningful contribution. “By accepting the invitation to serve, each Custos indicates his or her willingness to assume the role of The Governor-General’s representative in service to the people of the Parish and ensure that The Governor-General is well-represented on occasions when other duties of the Office prevent his attendance,” Sir Patrick said.
The Governor-General observed that in recent times the role of the Custos demands specific attention to areas of national and civic life. This he said provides a platform for Custodes to help inculcate in young people the values which will motivate them to eschew the things that are wrong about Jamaica and embrace what is helpful for growth and development.
In her remarks, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and Member of Parliament for St. Catherine Central, who represented Prime Minister Andrew Holness, welcomed Custos Golding to her new post. The Minister pointed to the Custos’ community work in the Parish and expressed confidence that the Parish would benefit from her leadership.
Responding to her appointment, Custos Golding thanked The Governor-General and the Prime Minister for allowing her the opportunity to serve at this level. She expressed gratitude to her predecessors Custodes Jeffrey McKenzie and Sophia Azan for nurturing and guiding her even as she served as a Justice of the Peace.
“This opportunity will assist me, even more, to help the people in their community to rise…if we play our part we will make the difference…it oftentimes begins with the youth,” Custos Golding pledged to serve young people through education and using The Governor-General’s I Believe Initiative. She made a stirring call to action from the business community to continue supporting the development of the Parish.
Custos Gentles, who was sworn into office on September 26, 2021, replaces the Hon. Jeffrey McKenzie, CD, JP.