Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen has appointed veteran Dermatologist Dr. Patricia Dunwell as Custos Rotulorum for the parish of St. Andrew. Dr. Dunwell was sworn in at a brief ceremony held at King’s House on Thursday (June 30). Her appointment becomes effective on July 1.
Sir Patrick Allen in his remarks said he was satisfied that the new Custos was “sufficiently seized with the honour and service which accompany this office,” and encouraged her to use her wisdom and best judgement to ensure that the needs of all the people are met. He assured her that she would not be short of assistance through King’s House and her colleague Custodes among others.
The Governor-General also expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Commander John McFarlane for his oversight of the parish as acting Custos since December 2015. This followed the appointment of former Custos the Hon. Donna Parchment Brown to the Office of Political Ombudsman in November.
In her response after taking the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office, vowed to place emphasis on training in mediation at the community level to help settle conflicts before they escalate. She highlighted the example of the Grants Pen community in the parish where mediation sessions have been successfully used by Justices of the Peace to help maintain law and order.
The ceremony was attended by the Hon. Delroy Chuck, Minister of Justice; Mrs Carol Palmer Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Justices of the Peace and a host of relatives and friends of the Custos.