Two dedicated writers of the Bermuda Industrial Union's bi-monthly newspaper the Worker's Voice, this week had an award named in their honor.

Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler said the $500 Doreen Lightbourn/Lionel Pearman Award was established to recognise the two stalwart' efforts.

The award will be given to persons working on a project, or doing original research on an aspect of the Island's history or culture.

Mr. Pearman, who died last April, was the longest-serving member of the BIU and the editor of the Worker's Voice.

He joined the Union in 1973. Through his efforts, the Worker's Voice was transformed from a newsletter into a newspaper sold throughout the Island.

He was aided by Mrs. Lightbourn, a white woman born in Iraq and schooled in the United Kingdom.

"These two stalwart of the media were fearless and relentless in their reporting of the news and bent over backwards to tell the stories of so many outstanding Bermudians while they were alive," said Mr. Butler. "The Worker's Voice today has a wonderful archive of their work which is benefiting historians and students in our schools."

Submissions must be in "the form of a book, a film, a published article or related media".

Persons interested in applying for the 2009 Lightbourn / Pearman Award must do so by February 27. Application forms are available at the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, 81 Court St. For more information telephone Folklife Officer Kim Dismont Robinson on 292-9447.