Christchurch Businessman's Club Jubilee Dinner

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island, Niuean and Tokelauan.

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

More specifically I greet you: President of the Christchurch Businessman's Club Dr Terry Fullerton; Chairman of the Jubilee Committee Alan Williams; John Midgeley Patron and Member of the club for 50 years; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and myself here tonight to share in the Christchurch Businessman's Club Jubilee Dinner.

As a judge and Ombudsman in former occupations I have always enjoyed visiting Christchurch, a city properly renowned for its beauty, its strong cultural heritage, world-class education facilities, and of course famous sporting events.

The city's charm is particularly apparent in its parks and gardens, which have won a number of national and international awards, earning it the widely recognised nickname of "the garden city".

In a similarly green vein, Christchurch leads New Zealand by supporting scientific programmes at the International Antarctic Centre.

This centre, which has twice been judged New Zealand's top attraction, is the base for American, Italian and New Zealand Antarctic programmes and it is from here that most Antarctic missions are planned.

Christchurch, New Zealand's numerically second largest city, also plays an important role in the business and economic growth of our young country - as you are all aware.

Canterbury has the second largest proportion of people of working-age in the country, and the highest labour force participation rate with the majority of workers actively employed.

Christchurch is especially known for its successful small to medium enterprises. I am sure many of you here today work, or have worked, in some of Christchurch's leading businesses. 

The Christchurch Businessman's Club, as with other similar business clubs and societies, provides an important forum for businesspeople to meet and discuss issues relating to businesses and the economy in our local communities - in this case the flourishing city of Christchurch.

That this Businessman's Club has been in existence for 75 years is testament to its ability to remain germane in a world where people are becoming increasingly disengaged from such societies .

75 years is a remarkable milestone for any society or organisation in New Zealand. It represents the value of the club's network, vision, and its capacity to change and stay relevant to New Zealand throughout the years.

I am advised the club was originally formed in 1931 by a group of creditors who met informally to discuss businesses that were a credit risk.  Today, in 2007, it consists of 120 members from a variety of occupations and backgrounds, many of whom have been members for more than 25 years.

As well as being a regular social event and opportunity for businessmen throughout Christchurch to discuss matters of the day, the Club also makes annual donations to local Christchurch charities namely the Crichton Cobbers and Cholmondeley Home charities.

Your contribution to these charities and the support and friendship you provide each other as club members is something for which you, as members, should be proud.

Organisations such as yours provide much-needed support for our charitable sector.

I encourage you to maintain this club for the next 75 years, growing its membership and continuing to provide an important network for current and retired businessmen in the Christchurch area.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight and share in this celebration.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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