NASSAU, The Bahamas – Acting Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and Minister of Education the Hon. Desmond Bannister said, on June 24, 2010, that the future of competitive swimming in The Bahamas continues to look “very, very promising.”

 “It is important for all sporting federations and associations to groom new talent, so that the sport continues to experience positive growth, as the constant infusion of young talent into the sport is very necessary to keep the sport vibrant,” Minister Bannister said.

 Minister Bannister was speaking during the official opening of the 39th Annual Royal Bank of Canada Bahamas National Swimming Championships, at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.

He added that the importance of the meet could not be over emphasised.

“The Nationals is an opportunity for the collective pool of young talent to demonstrate their physical prowess and ability in healthy competition,” Minster Bannister said.

He told the swimmers that he wanted to impress upon them the importance of self-discipline, personal integrity, commitment and dedication to achieving their goals, not only in sports, but also in life.

“These attributes, along with the guidance and direction of your coaches and the support of your family and the extended sporting community will, undoubtedly, propel you to ‘higher heights’,” Minister Bannister said.

“I could not help but notice that the last two Primary School Students of the Year are also swimmers.”

He congratulated the Bahamas Swimming Federation for the job it has done and continues to do, as it is one of the Federations that continues to “shape in a positive manner the youth of our nation.”

He wished the swimmers the very best and commended the Royal Bank of Canada for its continued support of the event and the development of Bahamian youth.

“The Royal Bank of Canada’s consistent commitment serves as a powerful example of the difference corporate social responsibility can make and the positive impact you can have on community development,” Minister Bannister said.  “Please continue to lend your support.”

“It gives me much pride as I observe the large number of eager and excited young swimmers who are awaiting the opportunity to compete,” Minister Bannister said.

The Ministry of the Environment along with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Physical Planing held a town hall meeting to discuss the Planning and Subdivisions Act 2010 and Forestry Act 2010 on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at Epiphany Anglican Church, Prince Charles Drive.

From left are GIS Analyst, Daniell Hanek Williamson; Environmental Officer; Director of Physical Planning, Michael Major and at lectern making presentation is DPS of Ministry of Environment, Christopher

FREEPORT, G.B. – Come July 10th The Bahamas will observe its 37th anniversary as an independent nation and on Grand Bahama Island every effort is being made to sensitize Bahamians on this most important part of the nation's history.

Two weeks ago, the Honourable Neko C. Grant, Minister for Works and Transport, who also has responsibilities for Grand Bahama Island introduced the Grand Bahama Independence Committee to the Bahamian public, noting that there are a number of new faces on the committee, designed to bring fresh ideas and get people excited about the celebration.

While introducing the Committee, headed by City of Freeport Administrator  Don Cornish, Mr. Grant, who is the Member of Parliament for Lucaya Constituency on Grand Bahama, assured residents that the 2010 celebrations promises to be the best ever and that the Committee had already drafted an exciting program.

He was also keen on pointing out the theme for the 2010 Independence Celebration, “Celebrating Independence Through The Eyes Of Our Youths,” and stressed that every effort will be made to ensure young people's participation in the celebrations.

The Grand Bahama native also called on the Committee to ensure that persons from Sweetings Cay in the east to West End build some enthusiasm for the event. To that end both West Grand Bahama District Council and the East Grand Bahama Local Government District Council are involved in the planning of the celebrations.

On Tuesday, June 22, a number of youth leaders from throughout Grand Bahama joined committee chairman, Mr. Cornish, and cultural affairs and entertainment chairman Kevin Tomlinson at encouraging Bahamians young and old to take part in the many activities planned, during a press conference at the Office of The Prime Minister.

Among those lending support were Jonathon Rigby of the Sea Grape Youth and Sports Association; Julian Laing of St. Matthew's Baptist Church in High Rock; Bruce Russell, Assistant Youth Pastor at Calvary Temple Church; Ms Peandra Knowles, Super Model of The Bahamas and Ms Tempestt Stubbs, the reigning Miss Grand Bahama.

While encouraging persons to take part in the overall celebrations the young persons was particularly keen on drumming up support for the Fit Nation Fun Run Walk and the Youth Rally which kicks off a week of Independence activities beginning Saturday July 3, 2010.

In her remarks, Miss Grand Bahama pointed out that Independence celebrations are enticing to all Bahamians, especially the youths.

“Our youths today must gain the importance of our independence and this year we are setting the foundation,” she stated.

Directing attention to the theme for the celebrations, she said that in Grand Bahama young people have the opportunity to participate and engage themselves in all the activities planned from July 2 to July 10.

 Bruce Russell, Assistant Pastor at Calvary Temple, noted that the Youth Explosion (rally) which takes place after the Fun Walk at the Tori Gate in the International Bazaar promises to be a fun time.

He said  invitations were sent out to all the churches “and we are really hoping that we get a good turnout from all of the youth groups.  I hope that everybody turns out.  This is a time when we as young people can come together and really show that we are a nation under God, a Christian nation and to let God’s glory shine and just to express our love for God.

“I believe that this is something that is very important, that as young people we need to come together and make a stand to let this island and let the country and the world know, that they throwing us away, but we are going to stand strong and let them know we are here and we are not going to give up and we are not going to the dogs,” he said.

The island-wide Independence Celebrations begins July 2,  which is designated National Pride Day, where the Committee is calling on businesses to position the Bahamian Flag at their businesses and homes and decorate the building in the colours of the flag.

Likewise this is also T-Shirt Day and residents are being invited to wear their Bahamian Independence T-Shirt on that day.

On Saturday, July 3, the Fit Nation Fun Walk event will begin at 7:00a.m. at the Tori Gate in the International Bazaar onto the Justice Centre round-about and back to the Tori Gate.  Then at 10:00a.m. is the Youth Explosion at the Tori Gate with the special guests being the Minister of Youth Sports and Culture.

Also on Saturday, July 3 a Family Fun Day is planned for St. Stephen’s Park in Eight Mile Rock, starting a 6:00p.m..

Then beginning at 7:30p.m., there will be the Artistic Expression “Voices” at the Rand Nature Centre, and the special guests there will be the Honourable Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Mrs. Symonette.

On Sunday, July 4 there will be an Ecumenical Church Service at Central Baptist Church, Eight Mile Rock beginning at 3:00p.m..

On Monday,  July 5 is the One God, One People, One Bahamas Concert to be held at the Freeport Bible Church.  This is a bow tie affair and is being held under the patronage of Their Excellencies, the Governor General, Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulkes.

On Tuesday, July 6 there will be a “Bahamian Theatre” at Count Basie Square in Port Lucaya beginning at 8:00 p.m..

On Wednesday, July 7 there will be a Pre-Independence Flag Raising and Reception at Sweeting’s Cay beginning at 3:00p.m..  A similar event is being planned for the High Rock community.

On Thursday, July 8 the Ministry of Tourism continues with its Summer Junkanoo Festival at Taino Beach.

On Friday, July 9 beginning at 8:00p.m., a special Flag Raising Ceremony/Cultural Extravaganza, Police Parade and Fireworks will take place at the Independence Park.

On Saturday, July 10 a Float Parade will take place beginning at 10:00 in the morning from the YMCA on to Mall at ending at the Independence Park where an all Day Family Fun Day is planned.

YOUTH INVOLVEMENT – Young persons are being encouraged to take an active part in this year’s Independence Celebrations.  Pictured lending support during a press conference at the Office of The Prime Minister are: Jonathon Rigby, Sea Grape Youth and Sports Association; Ms Peandra Knowles, Super Model of The Bahamas; Ms Tempestt Stubbs, Miss Grand Bahama;  Don Cornish, Chairman G.B. Independence Committee; Kevin Tomlinson, Chairman Cultural Affairs and Entertainment Committee; Bruce Russell, Assistant Youth Pastor, Calvary Temple; and Julian Laing of St, Matthew’s Baptist Church in High Rock.

Despite the current economic climate, more than 150 private and corporate entities nation-wide contributed to a life-saving fundraiser for high risk, premature, or critically ill new borns.

Organized by the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, The Rotary Club of East Nassau, Doctors Hospital, The Tribune Media, and Tile King, the "Breathe Easy Campaign" raised nearly $400,000.

The funds purchased eight ventilators and three incubators for Princess Margaret Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the only NICU in the region.

The cost of one ventilator is $42,296.65, the cost of one incubator is $19,087.02.

Racaro Clarke, who was born June 18 at 24 weeks, weighing just two pounds and 12 ounces, touches the hand of his mother yesterday.

The equipment has immediately made an impact on the lives of neonatal infants like Racaro Clarke, who was born June 18 at 24 weeks, weighing just two pounds and 12 ounces.

His parents, High Vista residents, visit his incubator and ventilator that keeps him alive every day, marvelling at his health and development.

Racaro's mother, Venus Clarke, a grade five teacher, reached into the incubator and touched her baby for the first time yesterday.

She whispered: "It's so good to have this equipment here."

Launched in September last year, the campaign aimed to raise $300,000 for four ventilators and six incubators for Princess Margaret Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

However, after realizing the critical need for new ventilators at the hospital the campaign5

organizers decided this crucial equipment should be the focus. An added bonus of the ventilators is that they are portable and can also be used for other Intensive Care Unit patients - a long term benefit for PMH.

Individual donations ranged from $25 to $45,000, and were supplemented by international and local grants.

President of the Rotary Club of East Nassau Michelle Rassin said: "It is so important that we have the resources to keep our neonates alive. We had a great response from the Bahamian community and we are pleased to be able to offer these infants their first breath."

With two successful nationwide campaigns, which collectively raised more than $700,000 in charitable funds, the group shows no chance of slowing down.

Ms Rassin said that organizers are currently in discussion with hospital administration concerning major needs of its new expansion.

She continued: "There are a lot of companies, corporate citizens who want to give back. And unlike the US where you do get concessions for donations, these companies do it out of their hearts, looking to help build a better Bahamas."

Although the Breathe Easy campaign has concluded, anyone interested in donating to the hospital can make cheques payable to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.

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