Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School

Your Worship, Mayor Hugh Vercoe, Chief Executive Air New Zealand, Rob Fyfe, President of Scouting New Zealand, Geoff Thompson, Directors, Staff, Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island, Niue and Tokelau.

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni

My wife Susan and I are delighted to have accepted the invitation to be here tonight for me to present the prestigious Walsh Memorial Award, known as the Walsh Trophy.

Before I present the splendid trophy I would like to congratulate all those participants of the 41st WalshMemorialScoutFlyingSchool who are graduating today.

I am sure for all of you this course will mark an important way point in a life-long passion for flying and that many of you will go on to pursue a career in aviation. With the benefit of being part of the chemistry of this ceremony and of having worked closely now for nearly five months with a specialist helicopter pilot who is one of the country's Air Force officers as an aide de camp, I can understand that getting the bug for aviation is something that will not end - either easily or ever.  I am reminded of those words of Winston Churchill in 1942 who said, although in another context, about things which go on -  "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

Flying opens a world of possibility and opportunity - both for you and for those you fly. It is an industry which is still, in historic terms, in its infancy and so the future for any aviator can only be exciting.

Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft Corporation has described in colourful terms the humanitarian implications of aeroplane flight. He said:

The Wright Brothers created the single greatest cultural force since the invention of writing. The airplane became the first World Wide Web, bringing people, languages, ideas, and values together.

I urge each of you to embrace the opportunities flying presents.

The Walsh Trophy is the premier award of the 41st WalshMemorialScoutFlyingSchool. The recipient of this esteemed award has been selected as "the best all round ab-initio student in flying, exam and leadership at the school".

The Walsh trophy has been kindly donated by the New Zealand Aeronautical Trusts Ltd whose works have helped perpetuate the names of Leo and Vivian Walsh, pioneer aviators in New Zealand. The Walsh brothers were plane builders and designers as well as teachers of aviation who whilst receiving little enough recognition in their would surely be pleased with the way in which their legacy has carried on.

May I also mention the wonderful made in New Zealand partnership that is represented by Government and private sector and organisations such as Rotary and Scouting New Zealand becoming engaged in something that is so beneficial.

The support of these organisations working together is, I know, greatly appreciated.

The winner will also receive $1,000 from the Allen Williams Trust to assist in furthering his or her flying training.

I understand this award is keenly contested and great kudos goes to the winner.

I am delighted to present the Walsh Trophy to .

Brothers Leo and Vivian Walsh were pioneers of aviation in New Zealand. In 1911 they built and flew a British Howard Wright biplane, and then designed and built a flying boat. In 1915 they established the New ZealandFlyingSchool at MissionBay in Auckland, where many military and civilian pilots trained until its demise in 1924.