NORMAN Rookwood, an outstanding resident of Gordon Town in St Andrew, stands as a beacon of unwavering dedication and a profound reminder of the impact one individual can have when committed to the service of others.

For the past 50 years he has been a driving force behind the community’s development, shaping not only the landscape but also the hearts and minds of its residents.

Rookwood is being acknowledged for long and faithful service to the community and is among 150 individuals who will be recognised by the Government this year with honours and awards for outstanding service in various fields.

He will be conferred with the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards at King’s House on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21.

Rookwood’s long stint of service began in 1967. Motivated by a deep concern for young men in his community who seemed disconnected and disengaged, he helped to establish the Young Men’s Association under the mentorship of the late Eric Coverley.

This organisation empowered young men to advocate for meaningful change, and sought to educate members about political, social and economic issues. Three years later the association welcomed women, transforming itself into the Gordon Town Young People’s Association.

“Empowerment and engagement were at the core of our mission. We wanted every voice in our community to be heard,” Rookwood told JIS News.

But his vision did not stop there. He believed that the organisation needed to represent all ages, which led to its final evolution into the Gordon Town Community Development Council.

Rookwood is also being celebrated for his role in establishing a community centre in Gordon Town, which came to fruition in 1973.

Alongside local leaders, he galvanised community members to volunteer their time and skills, thereby ensuring that the centre became a hub for various functions and gatherings.

As the years progressed, Rookwood’s passion for serving continued to grow. In 1989 he was appointed chairman of the development council, a position he held with pride for over two decades before transitioning to the role of public relations officer, which he currently holds.

Under his leadership Gordon Town has benefited from initiatives that address pressing needs, including successfully securing land to establish a dedicated football field in 1990.

“This was very important because our young people did not have a proper playing field in the area. There is a playfield at Gordon Town All-Age School (renamed Louise Bennett-Coverley All-Age School) but it is not really a proper place as they cannot do a certain number of activities there. So, it was important that we secure a property which can really cater to a lot of sporting activities,” Rookwood explained.

His tenure of service also extends beyond sports. In 2002 he identified a significant gap in health-care access and took action to repurpose an old public works building. This facilitated the establishment of a medical practice that has served the community for 15 years.

“We needed to prioritise the well-being of our residents. At the time, people who needed to see the doctor had to travel to Papine for medical attention, but having a medical office in our own community meant that there would be no need for persons to travel that far,” Rookwood explained.

He is also keen on cultural preservation. This passion resulted in his leading a campaign in 2012 to erect a statue of Jamaica’s beloved storyteller, Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverley, in Gordon Town Square.

“Miss Lou represents the essence of our culture; it was important to honour her legacy,” he said.

Each December, Rookwood organises a Gordon Town Christmas tree lighting ceremony — a tradition that has fostered community spirit and spiritual reflection for over two decades.

Additionally, he has initiated a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate Independence, to which dignitaries are invited and which fosters a sense of national pride.

Through it all, Rookwood has engaged in efforts to engender unity among the different religious denominations in Gordon Town.

For the past 15 years he has organised monthly ecumenical prayer meetings, focusing on issues of national significance and promoting fellowship among community members.

Today, Rookwood continues to serve his community as a justice of the peace, church leader, and board member at St Martin de Porres Primary School.