Speech
St John Property Pride Award 2011
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 the afternoon (Sign)
I then specifically greet you: Garry Wilson and Jaimes Wood, Chancellor and Chief Executive respectively of the Order of St John; Emmet Daly, Jackie Watson, Jane Maxwell and Mary Mulcock from the Cheviot St John; Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to Government House in Wellington for this year’s St John Property Pride awards. An apology is provided by Susan who is this afternoon presenting prizes at the International Kids Quiz Final in Hamilton.
This is time number five for an afternoon reception for St John at Government House regarding Property Pride Awards to national winners.
After serving as Prior for the last five years, this will be my final presentation. Each time Susan and I have attended or hosted a St John event we have been pleased to meet people like you who have made a substantial civic contribution to St John and its community. Cheviot, with its 1500 people, is like so many places in our country where St John helps to provide what can be called the glue for contemporary New Zealand life.
I want to thank you all for your own contributions to St John and the Cheviot community. The four of you have contributed a total of 66 years of combined service to support the work of St John.
The national Property Pride Award that I am presenting today acknowledges what has gone into the care of your local facility in Buckley Street.
I understand the award judges noted things such as:
• Attention to detail in a well presented property;
• The care taken to acknowledge the past and to provide for the future having regard to changes in service delivery and community needs; and
• How both the functional and cultural needs of the St John family were catered for.
The importance of pride in property has been a recent theme for us here at Government House with the building reopening in March after a 30 month Conservation Project.
The work here has in its own way also been about preservation, pride and presentation of an historic building to make sure it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations of New Zealanders.
Your pride in what you have in Cheviot demonstrates a commendable attitude towards your team, your organisation and your community.
Congratulations to you, and to all your colleagues, as national winners of the St John Property Pride Award for 2011.
I hope you enjoy our hospitality this afternoon.
And on that note I will close in New Zealand’s first language offering everyone 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.