Speech
Rural Women New Zealand
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa, good afternoon to Liz Evans, National President of Rural Women New Zealand and the board members, - to John Ayling, Chairman of Access Homehealth Ltd and the board and staff - to Noeline Holt, Executive Director of Rural Women New Zealand and staff - to Life members and past presidents, Margaret Chapman, Ellen Ramsay, Jeanette Tarbotton, and Dame Margaret Millard, - and to everyone here on this elemental Wellington evening.
I am delighted to open the new offices of Rural Women New Zealand and Access Homehealth Limited.
Moving house is a stressful event. You have moved twice recently, first to Willis St in the central city from Hawkestone St in Thorndon, and then to Lower Hutt. I think it reflects the growth and adaptability of your organisation and I congratulate you on another successful move to these new offices.
For me in the last four-and-half-years, it has been a privilege to learn about what Rural Women New Zealand does which is to use a wide range of initiatives to improve rural communities and assist women of all ages.
One initiative is the Enterprising Rural Women Award which celebrates rural businesswomen and promotes their special achievements. There have been another good number of entries and the National Conference in May will be the time to find out the top business.
The use of sails to provide shade at primary schools is another project. Six North Island schools received grants as a result of you partnering with Farmlands and this should result in less melanoma in the future.
Access Homehealth Ltd is the only homecare organisation dedicated to providing homecare services to rural people and it will now shares offices with Rural Women New Zealand. We are all grateful for the reliable caring you give to the disabled, injured and the aged.
Rural Women New Zealand is an organisation which genuinely meets the community’s needs and I am sure that these offices will a hub of busy-ness. I wish you all the best with your plans and activities.
No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.
I would now like you to join me with a long and sustained of applause to mark the official opening of the new offices of Rural Women New Zealand and Access Homehealth Ltd.