Bermuda?s former top judge Chief Justice Austin Ward QC has been made a ?Sir? in the Queen?s Birthday Honours List announced today.

There are also two new MBEs on the Island, while 11 of the 14 members of the Bermuda Independence Commission have accepted Queen?s Certificates and Badges of Honour for their part in preparing the BIC Report.

Of the three Commission members not on the list Gary Phillips confirmed he had declined the award, Derrick Burgess MP said simply ?no comment,? while past recipient Eddy DeMello has not been offered a Royal accolade this time. Receiving MBEs are June Augustus, a leading figure at the Physical Abuse Centre for the past 27 years, and Edwin Wilson who is vice-president of the North Village Community Trust and served for 17 years as an education officer in the Corrections Department.

There is also a Queen?s Certificate and Badge of Honour for hospitality worker Sylvia Celeste Bean who has worked at The Reefs Beach Club since 1952. Bermuda?s former Chief Justice Sir Austin is to become a Knight Commander in recognition of his service to the Island?s legal profession.

Born in Barbados but now with Bermudian citizenship, Sir Austin arrived in Bermuda in 1969, was appointed a magistrate in 1972, registrar of the Supreme Court in 1976 and Puisne Judge in 1985. He became Chief Justice in 1983 and remained in the post until his retirement in 2004.

Now 70, Sir Austin is currently on the Island as part of the Court of Appeal bench reviewing the 'GoldenEye' property case.

He said: ?It is an honour. I feel I did my duty. It doesn't change things for me. It was not a complete surprise as the chief justices who have served any length of time for the past hundred years have been bestowed the KBE.?

Former Bermuda Recorder journalist and publisher of Fame magazine, June Augustus has been made an MBE. During her life she has run a number of successful businesses including hat and dress shops, a guest house, and a museum of Bermudian portraits and artefacts.

A founding member of Project 100, which was established to assist Hope Homes, she donated a journalism scholarship to Bermuda College and provided basic necessities and rent to many destitute families.

When the Physical Abuse Centre opened in 1979 she became chairperson and is now chief executive officer.

Although currently undergoing tests and treatment for a serious illness, Mrs. Augustus told the Royal Gazette: ?This award was not something I was expecting. I'm honoured that I have been thought about by many in the community to receive the award.

?It was a surprise. Because I've been unwell it is something I have wanted to tell people about but I've kept my promise to keep it a secret until the official day.?

The other recipient of an MBE is Edwin Wilson, who sights his ongoing work with the North Village Community Trust amongst the achievements he is most dedicated to and proud about.

He grew up in the North Village area and, together with others in the community trust, is working to recreate a positive neighbourhood where people can work together, help and support one another and particularly assist the youth in ?changing their direction.?

Explaining his life's philosophy Mr. Wilson, 70, said: ?It is all about doing things that are positive rather than simply criticising. Bermuda has become an Island of complainers and critics. I come from a background that you go out and give something back, you don't simply sit at home and criticise, you get out there and help out.

?I like to keep a positive outlook on life. I take the view that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.?

Mr. Wilson lost one of his hands in an accident when he was 11. Despite the disability he went on to be the first vice-president of the YMCA in Bermuda, director of Christian Education for the AME churches on the Island and served in the Civil Service for 43 years.

When the STAR support group for those with HIV and Aids started he helped raise around $25,000 and was president of the Somers Isle Cricket League and assistant secretary to the former Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

A former Sandy's Secondary School deputy principal, Mr. Wilson is currently a member of the Bermuda Housing Corporation and artistic director and president of the Theatres Associates.

The Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour for services to the hospitality sector has been given to the longest serving member of staff at The Reefs Beach Club, Sylvia Celeste Bean who joined the South Shore resort in 1952. Over the year's she has been a waitress, assistant maitre'd and maitre'd. Although she retired as captain of the dining room in 2003, Ms Bean still arranges afternoon teas for guests five days a week.

Eleven BIC members have accepted the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour, namely; chairman Bishop Dr. Vernon Lambe, Dame Lois Browne-Evans, Marc Bean, Crystal Caesar, Rolfe Commissiong, Dianna Kempe, Donna Pearman, David Rowntree, Janet Smith-Bradshaw, Robert Steinhoff and Michael Winfield.

Of the three remaining members who helped prepare the 2005 report on the pros and cons of Bermuda become Independent from UK dependency, Gary Phillips confirmed he had turned down the award but would not say why, while Government MP Derrick Burgess simply said: ?No comment.?

However, Eddy DeMello did not know why his name was not included in the list and claimed he'd earlier been told by another member of the Commission that they were all receiving an award but then heard nothing more.

Mr. DeMello, who received a Queen's Certificate in 1988 for his work within the Portuguese community and providing entertainment, said he would have accepted the award if he had been offered it. He added: ?I don't know why I've been left off.?

A Government spokeswoman said she believed he had been omitted as Queen's Certificates are never given to the same person twice, although recommended Mr. DeMello check with Government House.

BIC member David Rowntree said: ?This award came as a surprise. We worked eight months and did a tremendous amount of work. Yes, we made one or two mistakes but this shows there are those who thought we did a good job. We tried to be unbiased and I'm pleased that someone out there has recognised the amount of work that was done.?

Mr. Rowntree said he was aware some on the Commission had been considering whether or not to accept the honour, as had he, but added: ?I'm a loyalist and if my Queen wants to give me something I'll accept it.?

Other awards announced to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday were a Colonial Special Constabulary Medal to Commandant Huw Lewis, and Colonial Police Medals to Deputy Commissioner of Police Roseanda Young, Chief Inspector Alan Cleave and Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Boyce.