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Every June 8th, we Norfolk Islanders celebrate our most important day, Bounty Day.
We celebrate by dressing up as our ancestors, and following the path that they first walked when they arrived on the 8th June 1856.
The reenactment is very important to Norfolk Islanders and will never disappear, for it is our way of showing respect to the Pitcairners that saved the Island, from being a place where convicts were sent to be beaten, starved, cold, sad and worked till their muscles and bones ached and instead changed it to Island Paradise for the entire world to enjoy. So we donate one day to these people.
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At 9.30am Norfolk Islanders assemble at the Pier. As soon as the photographers (the rest of the Island population including tourists) take their photos the reenactment begins. Its starts off with lighter boats in the water, with kids and representatives of the families in them, showing you the trail they took from the "Morayshire" to Kingston Pier.
Once at the Pier the arrivals are met by His Honor the Administrator Mr Messner and his wife who very ably play the part of the Storekeeper and Mrs Stewart.
Everyone then gathers in their family group, all direct descendants of the original families - Adams, Buffet, Christian, Evans, McCoy, Nobbs, Quintal and Young, and whoever decides to start the march, leads.
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We walk down Pier Road and when we reach the Cenotaph at Kingston, we all stop and pay our respects. Then it's on down Quality Road to the Cemetery where Hymns and Songs of Joy are sung to all that have come before.
After a moment of Reflection, it's off to Government House, where tea is offered in the historically correct context just as the original families were offered after they landed. The Best Dressed Family group is then judged, and the children, young and old, have the opportunity to continue the tradition of rolling down the hill of Government House. It is usually approaching Midday at about this time, so the gathering then makes its way down to the compound (the remnants of the exercise yard from 1st and 2nd Penal Settlement) where the family groups have set up a feast.
Before lunch commences there is a speech. This year it was given by David Buffet.
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BAUNTI DIEH 1999
TYUUSSDI D’IETTH "JUUN
"Hetieh Baunti Dieh!!
Nor skworlen; es gud saf.
Salan se rich shor, noen se slep in ‘worta
En orl aklan bin or Gauwent Haus drink ‘tii.
En haes aklan ya f’sing en bigen’ iit.
Es Gordi d’wan laan’mii orlem gehl staip hoel nart mieken’
mada en ‘pilhai en aeno, kuken ‘pig en ‘hoemanenwi.
En maibii samen mein bin miek ‘sup
F’dem kaastaan’ tek ‘sup; Dokta Didls gataa
bohtl en aa behg gatii a or medsin, en hi el kamraun ef wantet
Ai bliiw enibohda si aa behg kamen gwena wael
Wi haew’ tek tuu thing f’pat in auwas hied or Baunt Dieh:-
Fasorf’ Diehs d’ taim orl aklan noe wi gat ‘kamfram.
Staanap. Miek big faret. Dumain salan tork f’aklan.
Sam el tal dems kamfram baetan auwas.
Du yu bliiwet. Hoelap ‘hied en miek shua
auwaswieh es wathen wi kiip f’aklan.
Wan Tedha thing: Ieh smorl said ya – Norfolk Ailen –
es auwas said. Plenti salan want wi thort ent.
En dem el miek plenti nois. Dy yu bliiwet, en hoet orn tait.
Kiip ii tuu thing in ‘hied dumain waa –
Raitya orn Baunty Dieh en orlem tedha dieh."
For those who may not have had the benefit of a Norfolk Island Education, the speech welcomed everyone and sketched the day’s celebratory activities. As well as briefly reminding the Norfolk Island community, especially those descended from the 8 original Pitcairn families, that our genealogy, our heritage is unique, unlike any other, and we must be proud of it and give it the value it deserves; with timely recognition that our heritage leads us to sometimes handle affairs in a different manner to others.
Following David’s Speech this year, the Administrator spoke and John Adams, on behalf of his late Grandmother, "Ma" and Father "Mac" Adams, presented Plute Snell with a shield in recognition of all the effort put into the community for the year, and his help with organising Bounty Days over the years. Grace was sung and the luncheon was enjoyed by all.
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After many hours of feasting and with bellies full, a small group a young men and women played the traditional Cricket Match between the Bounty Boys and Allcomers, in which the Bounty Boys prevailed scoring 4 for 101 after the Allcomers were restricted to 8 for 99 after their 15 overs.
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Some hardy souls continued down at the compound into the night, with the remainder of revellers moving to Rawson Hall to continue the festivities, including the Bounty Ball and singing by the Islands Choir.