Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Awards

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is afternoon (sign).

May I then specifically greet you: Dr Alastair MacCormick, Chairperson of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and your fellow trustees; Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector; Trustees and Fellows, Distinguished Guests otherwise, Ladies and Gentlemen.

As Patron of the New Zealand Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, it is with pleasure that my wife, Susan, and I welcome you to Government House Auckland for the Trust’s Fellowship Awards Ceremony.

May I also warmly welcome those present who are to receive Certificates as Fellows of the Trust.

Every two years or so, recipients are presented with Fellowship certificates by the Governor-General, and it is a pleasure to continue the tradition.

Sir Winston Churchill’s experience as British Prime Minister during the Second World War, convinced him that world peace and a greater international understanding could be assisted through ordinary people traveling to other countries, and experiencing other cultures.

In 1965, the year of Sir Winston's death, an Act of the New Zealand Parliament established the Trust, with the aim of enabling up to twenty Fellows a year to travel overseas for short periods, and to bring home new knowledge with which to enrich our community.

Including the current year, there have been some 720 Fellows since 1966. Then, as now, Fellows are chosen from all walks of life and they have gone on to achieve and contribute in many ways.

It is one of the greatest strengths of the Trust that Fellows represent a diverse range of occupations and interests.

Over the years community workers, farmers, scientists, business people, actors, teachers, members of religious orders, artists—to name a few—have all been Fellows. They include, for just four examples, Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Nathan Guy; my predecessor as Governor-General and former Mayor of Auckland, Dame Catherine Tizard; author and historian, the late Dr Michael King; and noted dancer, Michael Parmenter.

I hold the view that this is a model of which Churchill —who was variously a soldier, painter, landscaper, war correspondent, horse breeder and bricklayer—as well as Nobel Prize winner and statesman, would have approved.

He would have recognised the competitive advantage that nations can gain, especially in a globalised world, when their people are encouraged to acquire broad ranging talents and experience.

He would have understood the strength within diversity, and that diversity can be the stimulus for creativity, innovation and excellence.

And Churchill knew that it is in the strengths of the many that ensures victory over challenges.

He, himself, was a man born into privilege and once famously rallied his troops in the First World War by saying: “Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we’re fighting for, it is Champagne!”

Despite the rarified upbringing he became one the most influential leaders of the 20th Century although he would have a lifelong battle with depression, and periods when he was both loathed and adored by the public.

Throughout he maintained a legendary memory, energy, wit, curiosity for life and of course, tenacity.

You are all here today because you successfully presented proposals for the Trust Board’s consideration, and the Board selected them because they were outstanding.

The Board believed you could make a difference to your trade, profession, business or calling, and to our community, that you could follow your interests through and that you could be assisted by a short period traveling overseas.

Churchill had a particular penchant for travel and, as always, had something to say about it. If you travel the Earth, he once said:

“you will find it largely divided into two classes of people. People who say: ‘I wonder why such and such is not done?’ and people who say: ‘Now, who is going to prevent me from doing that thing?’”

As Trust Fellows, each of you aimed to find ways to get things done in a better fashion, and I congratulate you on the spirit represented by that.

I also commend and thank the Chair of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Dr Alastair MacCormick, and fellow Trustees, for the work they do to ensure its work continues.

As volunteers, they do this because they recognise the Trust as both a national memorial and living tribute to Sir Winston, whose example is our inspiration.

And on that note I will close in New Zealand’s first language, Maōri, by offering greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.