A seriously ill woman was paid a special visit at home by Governor Sir John Vereker yesterday to be presented with the MBE she was awarded in the Queen?s Birthday Honours list.

June Augustus, 76, was surrounded by friends and family at her Hamilton Parish residence as Sir John offered her his congratulations on the honour, which was announced earlier this year.

A former Bermuda Recorder journalist and publisher of Fame magazine, Mrs. Augustus has run a number of successful businesses including hat and dress shops, a guest house, and a museum of Bermudian portraits and artefacts.

She was 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.

She became chairwoman of the Physical Abuse Centre when it opened in 1979.

Mrs. Augustus told at the time her MBE was announced: ?This award was not something I was expecting.

?I?m honoured that I have been thought about by many in the community to receive it.?

The other recipients of Queen?s Birthday Honours, who include former Chief Justice Sir Austin Ward, will attend a ceremony at Government House in October.