Long-serving retirees honoured by VP Faure |01 August 2015
A group of long-serving public servants from different ministries and organisations who have retired or are retiring this year were received at State House yesterday morning by Vice-President Danny Faure.
Vice-President Faure honoured and praised those retirees from the group of 13 who were present for the meeting during which they discussed their long years of service, the different stages of evolution and development which have taken place over the years in their respective work places before he handed them a small token of appreciation and took a souvenir photo with them.
It is now tradition that Vice-President Faure, who is also responsible for public administration, to receive long-serving retirees at State House where he congratulates them and thanks them for their long years of service and devotion to their profession, serving their country and their people.
The retirees were accompanied by their respective chief executives or a member of their management.
The group of 13 retirees comprised Monique Jean-Baptiste (25 years), Marc Brutus (48 years) from the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA); Monette Rose (30 years), Roy Lozaique (35 years) from the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC); Maryvonne Rose (29 years) from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports; Jeanette D’Offay (47 years), Charles Sorry (33 years) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Josta Larue (41years), Josianne Azemia (41 years), Margaret Cesar (34 years), Paula Arrisol (41 years), Noemie Godley (47 years) and Zorina Barbe (43 years) from the Ministry of Education.
The retirees said they have all worked long years and they are looking forward to relaxing, spending quality time with their families and friends and even undertaking personal projects.
Mr Brutus started his career as a police officer in 1966 but was later transferred to the then Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) now SCAA where after being trained abroad he set up the airport fire and rescue services. He has spent the past 20 years heading it.
“Before leaving I worked to ensure there is in place a well-trained team, a plan for the future in terms of equipment as well as other projects,” Mr Brutus said.
He added that he was motivated not only by the financial aspect of his job but the desire to see development and modernisation and his country move forward.
“I did not even realise that so many years had gone by and now that I am not in formal employment I will keep myself busy in some projects that I have already started,” Mr Brutus said.
As for Ms Rose who started working at the SPTC as a bus conductor in 1984, she said she has witnessed a lot of evolution over the years but she still recalls the many challenges that came with her job then.
“This type of work came with its challenges but as I enjoyed my job I overcame all the challenges and when conductors became obsolete several years later, I became a control officer with the same company and I enjoyed what I did,” said Ms Rose, who was based at the Anse Aux Pins office.
She added that she is really making the most of her retirement.
Ms Godley, a primary school teacher who had been in the profession for 47 years, is also enjoying her retirement.
“I really enjoyed my profession because I love children and I miss them a lot but I am enjoying my retirement,” said Ms Godley, adding that her greatest joy during her profession was to have good attentive pupils who produced good results.
Ms Godley said she will spend her retirement at home doing all the things she enjoys and spends quality time with her other half.