That is the opinion of Cabinet Secretary Mr. Leo Mills who was presenting merit awards to Government officers last week.

Mr. Mills encouraged the 22 recipients of the annual awards to continue to act as models for their fellow workers.

He said: "A couple of months ago somebody said Bermuda needed more role models. I have never believed this to be true. People who say that are just looking in the wrong places.

"Quite often people have a tendency to say that only those with a high profile are entitled to the appellation `role model'. That is not true.'' The merit award winners are chosen by their heads of department. This year there were 22 winners out of an original selection of 39 names.

Mr. Mills said the winners did not just have good skills for their jobs but they were prepared to "go the extra mile''.

He said: "That is important and that is the way you establish yourself as a role model. Your colleagues can look to you and see what you have accomplished.'' The winners represented the new wave of the public service, according to the Cabinet Secretary. Most of them are fairly young and very talented.

Mr. Mills said: "On that basis the future of public service in Bermuda is assured.

"In future you will go from strength to strength and will continue to make a significant contribution to the public service and Bermuda in general.'' Director of Personnel Services Mr. Malcolm Gregory had some good news, saying the Accountant General Ms Heather Matthews had agreed to increase the total cash for the awards for the first time since they were introduced in 1987.

Award winners are: Kendaree Fray (Accountant General); Glen W. Tucker (Audit); Diana Madeiros (Cabinet); Karen Hollinsid (Computers); Lewis Symonds and Hillary Rodill (Customs); Kelly Trott (Education); Dianne Marson and Zeila Paulos (Immigration); Linda Beek (Judicial); Annette Simmons (Labour and Home Affairs); Patrick Burgess (Libraries); Barbara M. DeRosa (Marine and Ports); Sheila Tyrrell (Personnel); Lorraine Swan (Post Office); Carol-Ann Clarke (Prisons); Pamela Adams (Registrar of Companies); Steven Holdipp (Statistics); June M. Dupres (Tax Commission); Sandra Talbot (Transport Control); June Rogers and Cranstone Warren (Works and Engineering).

ROLE MODELS -- Seventeen of the 22 winners of the annual Government Merit awards. Also pictured are, far left, Director of Personnel Services Mr.

Malcolm Gregory, centre, rear, Cabinet Secretary Mr. Leo Mills, and, second right, Accountant General Ms Heather Matthews.