Speech
Sir Jon Trimmer
May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Sir Jon Trimmer and Jacqui, Lady Trimmer; Anne Blackburn, Chair of the Royal New Zealand Ballet Board and your fellow board members; Amanda Skoog and Gary Harris, General Manager and Artistic Director respectively of the Company and your fellow staff; Minister of the Crown, Luamanuvao Hon Winnie Laban, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs; Ian McKinnon, Deputy Mayor of Wellington; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to Government House Wellington for this reception to celebrate Sir Jon's 50 years of service with the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company.
As Patron of both the Company, and the Friends of the Royal NZ Ballet, I would like to speak briefly about the significance of today's reception, about ballet and the many people who support the Royal NZ Ballet.
Sir Jon Trimmer has been a mainstay of the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company for many of its 53 years. He has danced throughout the world and with some of the world's finest dancers.
A multi-talented artist, he has appeared in many roles, not only as a dancer, but also as an actor on the stage and television, winning several awards that culminated in his knighthood in 1999.
The Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, once said: "As is the case in all branches of art, success depends in a very large measure upon individual initiative and exertion, and cannot be achieved except by dint of hard work."
These words describe well Sir Jon's approach to dance. A defining characteristic of Sir Jon's career has been his dedication to excellence. I have been told that in the late 60s, a friend saw Sir Jon dancing in Copenhagen when he was with the Royal Danish Ballet. In one scene, a dozen male dancers were on stage performing the same steps but were wearing hoods which disguised their identities. Even so, she had no difficulty in identifying Sir Jon due to his unique technique and finish.
I am advised he has never been one to rest on his laurels or to shy away from hard work but is very much a people person, who takes an interest in people, regardless of whether they're a fellow principal or member of the chorus.
On many levels, dance is a form of communication. There is, of course, the delight for the audience of watching the communication between the dancers themselves.
While it may seem almost effortless, in reality beautiful dance is the result of hours of practice. It is an art form in which even the most accomplished performers never take a moment for granted, keenly aware of their position, relative to that of their partner and others on stage.
Dance and ballet also speak to us about deeper meanings. They speak of human emotion, communicating joy, love, despair, sadness and anger. As 20th Century icon, dancer and choreographer, New Yorker, Martha Graham, once noted: "Dance is the hidden language of the soul."
Sir Jon's style and dedication reflect these deeper truths. Sir Jon has also been a role model to following generations of young New Zealand dancers and has directly helped many other dancers for whom he has been a mentor, sharing his knowledge, skills and sage advice.
His professionalism will be on stage for all to see when the company tours its latest production, Don Quixote, throughout the country very soon.
I am sure it will be a fantastic and stunning success, due in no small measure to the support the company receives from the Friends of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
The Friends not only fundraise for the Company but volunteer their time assisting with workshops and other events, particularly when the Ballet is touring throughout New Zealand. You also play an important role in networking and spreading the good word for the Company. I therefore congratulate you on your ongoing support.
There is another reason that this reception is particularly special, and that is because it is one of the last to be held before the House closes in a few days' time for a conservation project that could last last 100 weeks or could last even longer than that, even maybe 150 weeks.
The House has served New Zealand for almost a century and has been home to 19 Governors and Governors-General prior to our arrival in August 2006. After the formalities are complete, I encourage you to look around the public areas of the House and enjoy the art works and ambience.
Finally, given that today is a Sunday, I hope it will not be out of place if I close with a Biblical quote which seems quite appropriate, given we are celebrating the career of a great dancer who has given so much to a much loved ballet company. It's from Ecclesiastes and goes: "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance."
And on that note, I will I close in New Zealand's first language, Maori, offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.