Stephen Fisher, the 29-year civil service veteran who will retire next Friday, says naming Hong Kong's highest award was his most memorable career experience.
Speaking to the media for the last time in his official capacity as Social Welfare Department director, he said he got an 'interesting' call while working as deputy director of the civil service's administration wing just before the 1997 handover.
'One day, someone from the provisional chief executive's office asked if I could think of a name for the highest honours awards for the SAR government, which would be issued on July 1,' he said. The awards were to replace the British honours system and recognise people's life-long and highly significant contributions to the well-being of Hong Kong. 'I was told there is one requirement - that the name should appear majestic,' he said.
Mr Fisher got his inspiration from Hong Kong's dollar coin. 'There is a bauhinia on one side of the coin, so I thought: 'How about naming it the Grand Bauhinia Medal'. I faxed the name to the office and they said: 'Good' after a few rounds of discussion. It really left a big impression on me and I will definitely tell my grandchildren one day the tale that I named the city's top award.'
Hailed by legislators and social workers for his patience and open-mindedness, Mr Fisher failed to get the promotion many believe he deserved.
On that score, he said: 'If you ask me if I feel disappointed, I will say 'yes', but then I accept the result and I believe the promotion system is a fair one,'
