Current Community Honours Its Most Famous Son

Sir Roland T. Symonette Park Commemorated

(Current, North Eleuthera) - The Community of Current on December 16th, honoured its most famous and accomplished native, Sir Roland Symonette by naming the community’s beautifully landcaped ocean side park in his honour.

Sir Roland Symonette is very well known as being the first Premier of the Bahamas, as well as the longest continuously serving Member of Parliament, having served for 52 consecutive years in the House of Assembly without being defeated. The wealthy Current native, was also well known for his philanthropic nature.

Community members, led by Town Council Chairman, Mr. Theo Neilly, worked diligently over the past 14 months preparing for this most auspicious day. With the motivation of dedicating “the best park in the Bahamas” in Sir Symonette’s name, groups of residents came out numerous Saturdays, planting trees, cleaning up and grooming the space which welcomed the more than 100 guests to the ceremony.

This particular day, December 16th was chosen because it represented what would be the 111th birthday of Sir Roland Symonette (Dec 16 1898 -  Mar 13 1980).

(L-R)  Hon. Alvin Smith, Mr. Craig Symonette, Hon. Brent Symonette and Mr. Joshua Culmer standing in front of the commemorative plaque at the beautiful Current community park named in honour of Sir Symonette,  on December 16th.

The Symonette family was well represented with the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (at the time also serving as Acting Prime Minister), the Hon. Brent Symonette with his wife and family as well as his brother, Successful Businessman , Mr. Craig Symonette with his wife and family, both sons of Sir Roland Symonette. Other extended family members were also present as well as Current natives currently living in the United States.

Sons & Grandsons:  Left -  Mr. Craig Symonette son of Sir Roland T. Symonette stands with his son, Cameron Symonette; Right - Hon. Brent Symonette, son of Sir Roland Symonette stands with his son Andrew Symonette. The men are standing in front of the commemorative plaque at the beautiful Current community park named in honour of Sir Symonette, their father and grandfather on December 16th. 

Officials for the North Eleuthera district, including the Speaker of the House and Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, Mr. Alvin Smith, as well as Administrators Colebrook and Rahming were also on hand to bring remarks during the dedication ceremony.
Long time Current resident and local celebrity Artist, Mr. Eddie Minnis took special part in the ceremony, giving a fresh review of the important part the still operational Current Pride mailboat played in the history of the community and sharing a song created to celebrate some of that history.
Native, Mr. Osbourne Weech shared his personal experiences with Sir Roland Symonette, expounding on his generosity and encouragement.  

International Artist and Musician, Lenny Kravitz, a resident of Gregory Town, also attended showing his support for this North Eleuthera community effort.

Music Icon Lenny Kravitz (Right) who resides in Gregory Town, stands with the Grandsons (Andrew Symonette - Far Left, Cameron Symonette - Center) of Sir Roland Symonette (Dec 16, 1898 -  Mar 13, 1980), the first Premier of the Bahamas, on what would be his 111th birthday.

The Hon. Brent Symonette remarked with great pride of his father’s lifetime of accomplishments and his strong beginnings in the settlement of The Current.

Mr. Craig Symonette, when asked about the significance of this day to himself and his family shared, “To think he would have been 111 today, and so many people have worked so hard to make this happen… I would just like to say on behalf of the whole family how appreciative we are and how meaningful it is to have this park commemorated.”

The community came out to celebrate with the Symonette Family  in The Current - the Eleuthera settlement where Sir Roland T. Symonette was born, and grew up.

He continued, “I just think we have to keep continuing to improve the park.  One of the speakers mentioned the special benches for families, commemorating passed loved ones and we’ve got to keep new swings… It could become a real focal point of the community, and we are very proud to have it dedicated in my father’s name.”


Lenny Kravitz Chilling out in the shade of the playground in the Sir Roland Symonette Park

The Hon. Brent Symonette was very pleased with the beauty of the park and its’ location saying, “It’s a wonderful occasion…and it’s a wonderful idyllic setting.  The committee has done an excellent job, not to mention seeing the children on the swings while I was speaking, it’s already being used and they’re comfortable with it.  And the gazebo out here, hopefully people will really use it and watch the sunset and sunrise and relax.”
Neilly who spearheaded the effort commented, ”We spent 25 Saturdays working together on the park - it’s been just amazing, and such a great turnout; we’ve had a wonderful time remembering the life and service of Sir Roland Symonette from this small town of Current.”

The Oceanside Sir Roland T. Symonette Park in Current

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