Speech
Bishopdale YMCA Recreation Centre opening
I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, CookIsland, Niue and Tokelau. Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni
Greetings to you all; President of Christchurch YMCA, Ed Heald, former CEO Terry Hill, CEO Peter Tindall, past and present YMCA members and invited guests. Thank you for inviting me here today to celebrate the opening of this wonderful facility for the people of Christchurch.
As Governor-General I am often asked to speak at the opening of community facilities such as the Bishopdale YMCA Recreation Centre. I am always honoured to be a part of such ceremonies. I am pleased also to stand here with you though as someone who is a present YMCA member in Auckland and as someone who has had an association with the Y starting when at primary school and in the middle time with a YM jogging and latterly walking group.
It is an organisation with a properly respected name in New Zealand. These occasions not only celebrate a new beginning for the communities they serve - they also celebrate the spirit and hard-work that results from people working towards a common goal. The events remind me how much we can achieve when we work as a community. They tell me that we must continue to push back on the global trend towards increasing disengagement from the community groups and organisations that have served us so well in the past.
Indeed, the completion of this building reinforces the very real need we still have for such groupings as the YMCA - and by extension, all those individuals who make up the wider YMCA family. The recreation centre is the physical embodiment of this community spirit. It reminds me of a well-known Maori proverb, I quote:
E raka te mau, e raka te katau.
Translated literally this means the right hand is adept, the left hand is skilful. The saying demonstrates how a community can use all the skills of its people whatever those skills may be. It is through co-operation that we are able to achieve great things.
The YMCA aims to build strong children, strong families and strong communities and when I look around the Bishopdale facility today this is certainly what I see. I see young people exercising, building healthy bodies and minds and having fun. I see children thriving in a caring and stimulating environment and parents happy in the knowledge that their children are being well cared for so they can attend to their work responsibilities.
This recreation centre will be the heart of your community. I understand there are many in the audience today who have been instrumental in helping finance the centre and I thank you for your generosity. Everyone here should all be proud of the part you have played in a helping create a facility which future generations of Christchurch people and visitors will enjoy.
Many others among you will have contributed to this project with your time, energy and support. I urge you all today to look around and reflect on what you have collectively achieved, and to celebrate this.
Congratulations again on a wonderful community facility and thank you for inviting me to be part of the celebrations.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora koutou katoa I now declare the Bishopdale YMCA Recreation Centre officially open._