Eight Bermudians have been given awards in the Queen's Birthday Honours with Queen's Certificates and Badges of Honour for their work in the community.

Carlton Wilkinson, who has worked for the Fairmont Hamilton Princess for 45 years without taking a day sick, was honoured for his contribution for tourism.

Mr. Wilkinson started in the hotel's laundry department, but over the years was promoted to laundry supervisor and then chief valet.

"I feel humbled. Appreciative and humbled," he said. "I really wasn't expecting this. I'm just really appreciative that my name was even put forward."

Betty Howes was honoured for her service to the community after working with the Sunshine League for more than 60 years. She also said she was humbled and overwhelmed when she learnt she was receiving the award.

"I just do my little part. I'm just grateful that people still need me to do things," she said. "I found out last week and I've been bursting to tell people."

The organiser of Bermuda Tall Ships 2009, John Wadson, was honoured for his service to the community.

While the Tall Ships events were the most spectacular of his projects, the lifelong sailor has spent years working with Sail Training International to promote youth sailing.

"I am deeply honoured," he said. "I need to thank everyone who was involved in Tall Ships and sail training efforts. This award is for their hard work as much as it is mine."

Renowned Bermudian boxer Allan 'Forty' Rego was honoured for his services for sport after training dozens of young Bermudians.

While he said he was thankful for the award, and for the people who nominated him for it, he said the real prize was the difference he made in the lives of those he trained.

"If I have kept one man from going up Westgate, then I have accomplished something," he said. "These are the things that make me feel good.

"If you're doing something that is positive, then you will get a positive response."

Senior Warrant Officer Neilson DeGraff, who was honoured for his work with the Bermuda Regiment, said he was stunned by the announcement.

WO2 DeGraff joined the Bermuda Regiment Band in 1975, and over the years has become the Bugler for the band, playing during parades and other ceremonies.

"When you do something because you enjoy it and because you want to do the best you can, that's one thing. I would do this for free," he said. "To be recognised for this, that's just over the top."

Julia Patton was honoured for her role on the Board of Immigration for both the PLP and the UBP for 24 years.

"It's a great honour and a complete surprise," Ms Patton said. "I had absolutely no idea this was going to happen."

And a statement announcing the awards said: "The knowledge that she imparts to the Board is second to none.

"Her sound decision-making skills and thoroughness in analysing files, applying the rules and policies of the Immigration department evenly and fairly during the Board's deliberation is beyond compare.

"Her sacrifice to attend Board meetings twice weekly for 24 years equates to thousands of hours of service."

Dr. Juanita Guishard was honoured for her service to the Island's health care. Over the past 50 years she has worked as a nurse at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital; at the Prospect Geriatric and at St. Brendan's Hospital, now known as Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

Dr. Guishard has a Master of Science degree in Counselling from Indiana University and she earned her Doctoral degree in Mental Health Counselling and Administration from Columbia Pacific University in California.

She has been a mental health-care professional for decades and she has been a leader in helping the community understand the importance of mental health.

Dr. Guishard remembers when cocaine was introduced to Bermuda in the late 1970s and early 1980s and when only six people in Bermuda were known to be addicted to the substance.

She also remembers when the smoking of marijuana started to become popular in the community.

Vivienne Mary Lorina Jones, better known as 'Aunt V', was honoured for her contribution to business. Jones Dry Goods Store, on Glebe Road, in Pembroke, is believed to be one of the longest continually run businesses on the Island.

Ms. Jones inherited the store from her father, who was a well-respected tailor in Hamilton.

She has been a successful businesswoman in the community for generations and in 2007, the Pembroke community hosted a block party celebration in her honour.

The store is seen as a community gathering place where members of the community, and often other people from all over the Island, gather to celebrate good news, or to commiserate over bad news in the neighbourhood.

A statement announcing the award said: "For Miss Jones, it was never about making money, but serving her community.

"Even on days when she felt unwell, she would ensure that her store opened to serve the community. On her overseas buying trips, she willingly acted as a personal shopper for members of her community and whenever people were unable to pay for what they needed, Miss Jones would give them what they needed anyway."