June Rita Olive Hansey was the second daughter born on June 30th, 1931 to Doris and Morris Hansey. She attended West End Primary School and Sandys Secondary School. At 16, she became an apprentice at the Bermuda- Recorder Bermuda’s first Black -owned and operated newspaper. She became a journalist, then advertising manager and then managing editor of the weekly newspaper. In 1962, June fulfilled her dream of producing, printing and publishing a monthly magazine, FAME. It was Bermuda’s Ebony. Her love of fashion and hats propelled her to New York where she studied to be a Milliner at the Traphagen School of Fashion. She returned home determined to market her craft made by her own hands. June was an entrepreneur and operated her own business, which she gave the name June Ann’s Dress Boutique it flourished for close to sixteen years. As the proprietor, she found herself producing and commentating fashion shows at Elbow Beach and Grotto Bay Hotels.

June raised a family of six children. She returned to the Bermuda Recorder as Managing Editor in 1970 and met and married Alfred A. Augustus. She was also privileged to host a radio show ‘The June Masters Show’, she co-owned and managed Master View Guest House and opened and operated Bermuda’s first Geisha Restaurant. She took a course in Black History at Bermuda College and produced 25 historical picture cards biographies. June opened a museum containing over 100 portraits of historical figures. She open Balloon-Age with her daughter June-Ann and provided assistance by raising funds for the Special Olympics, and was hostess to such stars as Ben Vereen, Melba Moore and others.

June kept herself extremely active she was a founding member of project 100, a member of Los Casedoras, a worker for Hope Homes and Reach Out Rehabilitation Centre. She was an active member of the Bermuda Business and Professional Women’s Club serving as President for 8 years. She was also a member of Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence, and a member of the Board of Special Olympics, the Consumer Affairs Bureau and Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church. She did work for the Physical Abuse Centre where she served as Chief Executive Officer and their fund raiser. She received numerous awards The International Woman’s Day award and woman of the year from Bermuda Business and Professional Woman’s Association, the Sojourner Truth Award, the seventh-day Adventist Church Community Service Award, The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party’s Drum Major Award and the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour. She was also named one of the Heroes of the Decade by Mid-Ocean News. June was well rewarded for her services to the Island home.

MR. ALFRED AUGUSTUS 1922-

SPORTSMAN EXTRODINARE

Alfred Augustus was born December 31st. 1922 to Mary and David Augustus of Friswell’s Hill Pembroke East. His father was a Mason contractor. He had his early education at Central School (Victor School Primary) and later he attended Berkeley Institute. He was a keen sportsman excelling in Track and Football. He graduated from Berkeley and obtained his first job as a Linotype Operator for the Bermuda Recorder Printing Company and took courses in Linotype Operations in the United States.

In 1945 he enrolled at Howard University in Washington, DC. where he received a degree in teaching elementary School Physical Education while studying at Howard he worked in the Print Industry and also the College Library. He received a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and became a teacher at Francis Patton School in Baileys Bay, and later at Prospect Primary School in Devonshire. He married in 1952 to Juanita Augustus (Taylor) of that union are two children. He later re-married Mrs. June Masters who was the Chairperson of the Physical Abuse Centre in 1979, he became involved with his wife June in the centre where he served as the Secretary. In his career choices he worked as a Probation Officer. He later retired and served in the Community on other boards such as Community and Cultural Affairs, the board of Criminal Injuries Compensations and he volunteered to work with his brother David Augustus 2nd. at one of the Premier Funeral Homes ‘The Augustus Funeral Home.’

He is very active in Mount Zion A.M.E. church and is a member of the Mount Zion Male Voice Choir and the Sanctuary Choir. His greatest pleasures is all types of sports, singing and helping his fellowmen. He received the Queen’s certificate and Badge of honour in 1986 for his work at the Physical abuse centre.

Alfred was not afraid to work hand in hand with his ambitious wife June and his help became invaluable to her. What’s love have to do with it “EVERYTHING”