Architect Paul Thorbourne of the architectural firm Paul Thorbourne Associates, has been declared the winner of the Hugh Shearer Monument Design Competition organized by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. Thorbourne’s design ‘Tower of Stature’ was the unanimous choice of the judges, according to Senator The Hon. Oswald Harding who gave the judges’ report at a ceremony to award the top three competitors at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Wednesday, December 13, 2007.

The winning entry had “a strong design concept, good artistic expression, was extremely buildable, offered ease of maintenance and was the most complete of all the entries.” Senator Harding said in his report.

The design showed two intersecting wings, widening as they rise, signifying Mr. Shearer’s dual achievements as trade unionist and politician/diplomat while recalling his tall physical stature. The design had grooves at points along the monument identifying career landmarks of the former Prime Minister.

A Rotarian, in addition to heading his own architectural firm, Mr. Thorbourne is also a singer, composer, arranger and plays keyboard and guitar. He has been Deputy Director of the Methodist Chorale for many years.

Second place in the design competition was awarded to Mr. Christopher Whyms-Stone of Corner Stone Designs while third place went to Mr. Robin Baston Associates. All three competitors are members of the Jamaica Institute of Architects.

For Mr. Thorbourne, winning the competition was especially sweet as this was his fourth attempt to design a monument for the National Heroes Park. His closest previous attempt was when he placed third in the competition to design the monument to the Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Guest Speaker, Minister of Health and the Environment Hon. Rudyard Spencer invited those present to “view the creation of this monument as the latest means to stir our memories of a man whose courage and love for Jamaica were unquestioned.

His greatest struggle for the weak and disadvantaged took place in the trade union movement and in particular the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU). He was as consistent as he was courageous in placing and keeping workers’ rights at the front burner of the national agenda,” Minister Spencer remembered of Mr. Shearer.

Minister of Information, Culture Youth and Sports Olivia Grange welcomed those in attendance among who were Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Ken Baugh and Mrs. Baugh, Minister Dwight Nelson, House Leader Delroy Chuck, Minister of Education Andrew Holness, Tom Tavares Finson, Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer widow of the late prime minister, former JNHT Chairman Professor Verene Shepherd, Director of Culture Mr. Sydney Bartley, IOJ Executive Director Vivian Crawford, Seragh and Effie Lakasingh.

The monument which is being built by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, in the National Heroes Park, is slated to be unveiled on July 5, 2008 on the fourth anniversary of Mr. Shearer’s death. Hugh Lawson Shearer was Jamaica’s third prime minister who served from 1967-1972.

Winner in the Hugh Shearer Monument Design Competition Architect Paul Thorbourne accepts his certificate of Excellence from Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, widow of former Prime Minister Hugh Shearer at an awards ceremony hosted by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust on Wednesday February 13, 2008 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, widow of former Prime Minister Hugh Lawson Shearer, has the full attention of the top three finalists in the design competition for a monument to the late trade union leader and national icon, organised by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. They are (from left) second place finisher Christopher Whyms-Stone, winner Paul Thorbourne and third place finisher Robin Baston. The event was a reception to award the men organized by the JNHT and held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on February 13, 2008.

President of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) Kavan Gayle (left) views the model and presentation drawings of the top designs for the Hugh Shearer Monument with former trade unionist and Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Senator Dwight Nelson (second left), Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, widow of former Prime Minister Hugh Shearer and Lloyd Goodleigh, secretary of the Joint Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU). They were at a reception hosted by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust to announce the winner of the Hugh Shearer Monument Design competition at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday, February 13, 2008.