Speech by Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK
Your Excellency…
….Your Worship…
...Mr President…
..Ladies and Gentlemen...Tonight, we have celebrated the Isle of Man at its very best.
The award winners this evening embody the spirit of the Island.It’s a place where they get constant encouragement from the Government.
It’s a place where they see innovation every day.
And more than anything else…
….it’s a place where individuals and businesses…
...have the freedom…
…. to flourish.It has been fantastic to see winners..
... from all parts of our Island community:Young and older.
Public, private and third sector.
New and well established.
They have an invaluable contribution…
... to this great place we call home.We have two more awards this evening.
I will shortly announce the winner of the Freedom to Flourish Award..
...sponsored by the Isle of Man Government.But before I do that…
...on behalf of everyone here…
...I want to say something that is very important indeed.To Trudi Williamson…
...and her team from Isle of Man Newspapers….
….Thank You for organising this marvellous event.It has become a vital part of the Manx Calendar.
The Freedom to Flourish Award recognises the organisation that has…
... over the past year…
... best demonstrated the values we stand for as a nation.These values include independent thinking..
... resilience...
...resourcefulness when faced with challenges…
... and a robust loyalty to our community.We have an impressive shortlist of potential winners.
And the winner is:
ADVENTUROUS EXPERIENCES
Many congratulations to Adventurous Experiences.
Since setting up…
...it has constantly grown its client list…
...and its reputation.They are now contributing enormously to our important visitor economy.
In the best possible way…
….they are making the most..
...of the freedom provided by our unique environment…
...to well and truly flourish.As you all know…
...the Isle of Man has really experienced some challenges.We have been under fire…
... from people who question how we conduct our business.I have this to say to them:
We will continue to raise our profile…
... and we will continue to protect our reputation…
….a reputation that we are rightly proud of.I know everyone here in this room...
….will play a part in that.The motto of the Isle of Man is Quocunque Jeceris Stabit.
Let me give you…
...an up-to-date translation of that phrase.It now means this:
If anyone tries to knock us over….
...whether it’s the Guardian Newspaper…
…. the BBC…
... anyone else….
...we will always…
...get right back up again.We will always be….
….a proud independent nation…
...proud of its buoyant economy…
….proud of its identity…
...and proud to do business all over the world.As a Government…
...we are striving to create an Island of enterprise and opportunity…
...that’s inclusive and caring…
... that’s healthy and safe.
...that’s responsible and sustainable.Tonight, we have seen inspiring examples of these values.
We want to grow our economy.
We want to increase our economically active population.
And we want to encourage a skilled workforce to relocate….
….to the world’s most welcoming Island Nation.With the skill, talent and drive among our people…
... the future of the Isle of Man is in very good hands.We will continue to grow.
We will continue to flourish.
And we will continue to be…
….truly outstanding.
