STAFF at the Nation Publishing Company bid farewell to a prized treasure last Friday.

Described by her colleagues as "caring, considerate and polished", Jewel Belmar, former group human resources manager of the Nation Corporation, was given an official send-off during the monthly staff meeting after retiring at the end of 2007. Belmar, who was with the company for 25 years, was remembered for her "meticulous" work during the formative years of the newspaper, where she was instrumental in bringing administrative order to the group of journalists.

Publisher and chief executive officer Vivian Anne Gittens also highlighted some of the invaluable changes that Belmar instituted during her tenure at the company, such as lobbying for better pay, training and development for staff and paternity leave.

Other associates also commended Belmar for her tireless support for outreach programmes, most notably the Healthy Lifestyles Extravaganza as well as for her dedication to being the official "party co-ordinator" for the company.

Belmar thanked members of staff and those who paid tribute to her for their kind words and support during the years.

"This company has made me who I am today, and I will always be a part of THE NATION," she said. (LW)