Attitude Awards 2012

E kui mā, e koro mā kia ora koutou katoa.  Ladies and gentlemen, greetings.  I specifically acknowledge: Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for Disability Issues; Your Worship Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland; David Rutherford and Paul Gibson, Chief Human Rights Commissioner and Human Rights Disability Commissioner respectively; and Graeme Innes, Australian Human Rights Commissioner.

It is a great pleasure to be here at the 2012 Attitude Awards this evening.  This is the second time I’ve attended these awards that acknowledge and recognise the incredible achievements of New Zealanders living with a disability.  Tonight’s finalists are representative of the more than 600,000 Kiwis living with various forms of disability, who have shown that a determined, positive and resolute attitude to life is a powerful force.

I’m reminded of the words of the 19th century poet Kahlil Gibran who wrote:  “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

And this evening I share the stage with a group of New Zealanders who are examples to us all; New Zealanders who have pushed the absolute limits physically, mentally, and emotionally; New Zealanders who have proven that life and what you choose to do with it, is a matter of attitude.

As Governor-General and representative of all New Zealanders, tonight I acknowledge and congratulate New Zealand’s Paralympic Team whose performance at the 2012 London Paralympic Games was outstanding.  Our Paralympic Team of 24 athletes brought home 17 medals – 6 Gold, 7 Silver and 4 Bronze.

Our Paralympians made us incredibly proud.  The inspiration they provide to peers and to the wider community is outstanding.

The same is true of the finalists here this evening, who through motivation, determination to succeed and hard graft, have achieved excellence on a number of different levels.  This evening we will hear the moving stories of those being honoured, which remind us all that life and what we choose to do with it, is a matter of attitude, not circumstance. 

Kia ora, kia kaha, kia manawanui, huihui tātou katoa
 
Sir Murray Halberg Tribute:

Fifty-two years ago a 27-year old athlete from New Zealand blazed his way to the lead in the 5000 metres at the Rome Olympics. 

Murray Halberg sprinted three laps from the finish – and no one in the world could catch him.  He claimed both Olympic gold and lasting fame as one of New Zealand’s finest middle-distance runners.  Yet, it is his legacy off the track that has surpassed even his sporting achievements.

Tonight, we honour Sir Murray Halberg for the outstanding contribution he has made to the lives of children living with disability.

The organization he set up, fifty years ago, the Halberg Trust, now known as the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, brings sporting opportunities to thousands of children with disability.  To understand the man you need to understand his history.

As a young man, Sir Murray knew a lot about creating opportunity out of disappointment.

As a teenager he was a talented cricketer and rugby player. He was good – a lightweight who should have been in fourth grade but was talented enough to play in the open grade for Avondale College. 

Sport was his life and the All Black dream was in front of him.  But a crash rugby tackle changed his life forever.  The injury was so severe it put him in hospital for two months. His left arm was virtually paralysed.  His dream of a rugby career was over, at 17.

But out of adversity came opportunity.  Grit and determination have always been part of Sir Murray’s character. 

In distance running he found the sport he could excel in.  His talent was identified by Arthur Lydiard.  Along with runners like Peter Snell he became one of Arthur Lydiard’s ‘boys’.

Along with Olympic gold, Sir Murray won two other Commonwealth gold medals and was the first New Zealander to run a sub four-minute mile.  At the end of his running career, on a trip to Canada, he saw what others were doing to raise funds for disabled children.

It got him thinking, and he came back to New Zealand with a new determination.  He knew the frustration of being unable to compete and also the power of sport to transform lives, just as it had done for him.  He wanted to bring that to children with disabilities.

To quote Sir Murray, “I believe every single young New Zealander should have the opportunity to participate and excel in the sport or recreation activity of their choice without exception.”

The Halberg Trust was formed.  One of its first initiatives was to resurrect the Sportsman of the Year awards. Best known as the “Halbergs” – these awards continue today.  They both raise the profile of our elite sportspeople and bring in significant funds that pass through the Halberg trust to provide sporting opportunities for children with disabilities.

As the Trust’s 50th anniversary approaches, it has become a cornerstone of sporting opportunity.  Today it offers a wide range of programmes for children and has invested in adapted vehicles and computers for schools.  This year the Trust has introduced a Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award into the Halberg Awards.

Sir Murray has led the Trust, driving it forward, but his leadership style has allowed others to take the spotlight, to develop their own skills. 

Those who know him talk about a man of quiet reserve, underpinned by a steely resolve.  He has always guarded and protected the reputation of the Halberg Trust, and after 50 years, it is one of the most trusted names in sport.  He is a true leader and in so many ways, has enhanced the lives of young people living with disability.

Sir Murray was made an MBE in 1961, and knighted in 1988.  In 2008, he was appointed to New Zealand's highest Royal Order, the Order of New Zealand.  He was the fourth person to be awarded the Blake Medal, named after fellow countryman Sir Peter Blake, for his more than 50 years of service.

Every honour has come to him, and tonight, we acknowledge him, salute a lifetime of achievement, and add one more honour, Induction into the Attitude Hall of Fame.