RNZ RSA National Council

Thank you John Campbell (National President of the  RNZRSA).

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you and in the languages of the realm of New Zealand:- English, Cook Islands, Niuean and Tokelauan:- Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni. 

In particular, I would like to greet you, Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, Honourable Phil Goff, Minister of Defence and Honourable Rick Barker, Minister of Veterans' Affairs, Judith Collins, representing the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Mayor of Wellington Alick Shaw, Howard Broad, Commissioner of Police, Air Vice Marshal David Bamfield (Vice Chief of Defence Force), Major General Bill Crews (National  President of Returned Services League of Australia), Mr Jack Frost (Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion), Senator Colonel Matt Sarasau, President of the Fiji Returned Services Association, distinguished guests otherwise, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a singular to be here this evening carrying on a long-standing tradition of a Governor-General representing your patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, at a meeting of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association Annual National Council. 

It is the first time that the matter of fulfilling this duty has fallen to me, and I am fortunate that this inaugural attendance occurs in a year when there are two important events to celebrate - the 90th Anniversary of the RNZRSA and the marking the Year of the Veteran.

The importance attached to the RSA, and to our country's veterans, was I think amply illustrated at the other evening's Military Pageant which can be described as truly memorable. 

The spectacular and televised displays and musical performances were underpinned by a recognition among the audience towards all those who endured sacrifice and hardship to ensure we can live in freedom and on our own terms in this country. 

Much has been said about the commitment and dedication of those who served New Zealand, and of the work which the RSA has done during its ninety-year history.  And there is good reason for that.  There is ever present danger that all those sacrifices might one day be forgotten and that what has been done will be taken for granted.  That is to be resisted.

It seems to be an ongoing duty to remind ourselves and the nation -young people in particular - of the character of those who went to serve the country and who lost their lives or were injured as a result.

75 days ago in my first engagement as Governor-General , following my swearing-in, I laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in acknowledgement of this. 

And today, on the 90th anniversary of the RNZRSA, I again wish to underline the importance of events and deeds of days gone by.

When Captain Donald Simson, on the 15th of July 1915,  disembarked from the SS Willochra at Wellington, he did so alongside scores of wounded soldiers back from the Gallipoli campaign.  Captain Simson quickly realised the need for an association of returned soldiers and the following year, he called a national meeting that founded the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association.  The New Zealand RSA became, thereby, the oldest veterans' organisation in the Commonwealth.

The popularity and membership of the RNZRSA has by no means been constant, and it is therefore particularly pleasing that this essential organisation has blossomed again in the past decade or so.  With its solid membership, the RNZRSA remains one of our country's largest voluntary groups and its work in terms of fellowship as well as welfare is legendary.

The RNZRSA provides support and assistance to those in need, to both veterans and their families, and through its actions it represents the very best of the New Zealand character. 

That same character has been evident in those who have served and are serving our country.  In this, the year of the veteran, it is appropriate to focus on what those men and women who wore the New Zealand uniform have done for all of us.  Their tours of duty can be described by words such as courageous, strong, loyal, proud and worthy. 

On behalf of all New Zealanders, I wish to register thanks to all our veterans.  From the battlefields of Gallipoli, the Somme, Paeschendale and Ypres, to later conflicts in later wars later in the last century and indeed into the new millennium, the country remains indebted to you. 

I also wish to acknowledge all currently serving troops, who carry on the proud tradition of our veterans and especially all those who are presently overseas.  Our thoughts are with you and with your families who will surely miss you and await your return.

I now have the honour to share with everyone a message sent by our Head of State, The Queen of New Zealand, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

She  writes and it is dated 6 November 2006:

Please convey my warm thanks to the Chief Executive and Members of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association for their message of loyal greetings sent on the occasion of their ninetieth National Council Meeting which is being held today in Wellington.

As your Patron, I much appreciate your kind words and Prince Philip joins me in sending, in return, our best wishes to you all for a memorable and successful gathering.

Elizabeth R.

I convey what Her Majesty asks and thank everyone for the invitation to be with you here today.  I now declare the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association National Council 2006 open.

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