Speech
Girls and Boys Brigade Queen's Award Ceremony
Opening remarks:
May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign)
May I then specifically greet you: Christine Brunt, National Commissioner of the New Zealand Girls’ Brigade; Margaret Cundall, National Queen’s Award Convenor; Les Bouterey, National President of the Boys’ Brigade; Graham Creahan, National Director; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Award recipients; Ladies and Gentlemen; Boys and Girls.
It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I warmly welcome you to St John’s in the City for this ceremony for the Queen’s Award—for the Girls’ Brigade and the Boys’ Brigade.
As the Patrons of each organisation, the Girls’ and Boys’ brigades respectively, it is with pleasure that we again host the presentation of these awards, continuing a tradition of Governors-General and their spouses in holding this ceremony.
Normally, of course, this ceremony would have been held at Government House. However, the House is currently closed for a major conservation project.
I will now like to invite Christine Brunt from the Girls’ Brigade to come forward and begin the proceedings.
Thank you.
Conclusion of Awards ceremony speech:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Award Recipients, Distinguished Guests, Boys and Girls. Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa and welcome to St John’s in the City.
I would like to first congratulate every Queen’s Award recipient here today. This Award is evidence of the face that you possess qualities such as commitment, dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm. Its also requires an attitude towards serving the community and, within that, individuals who are in need of a helping hand.
The programme also requires a great degree of time in addition to the already demanding education and work schedules which each of you has in a 2009 setting.
The work you have completed in order to receive the Queen’s Award is diverse and includes such tasks as voluntary service, service to the company, and initiative and leadership tasks. This is a reflection of a broad approach being taken by both the Boys’ and Girls’ brigades in the 21st Century setting to shape young characters.
It is the aim of both organisations to teach young people how to be leaders, both among their peers and later in life as adults. This vision has been pursued for a considerable time and both organisations can look back on proud histories, both internationally and here in New Zealand.
The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow, Scotland in 1883, with the organisation being started in New Zealand three years later.
A decade after the Boys’ Brigade, the Girls’ Brigade began its life in 1893 in Dublin, Ireland and begun here in New Zealand in 1928.
Last year saw the Boys’ Brigade’s new homegrown kiwi programme, ICONZ, go from strength to strength. This year the programme has similarly continued to grow and develop significantly.
Following on that success, the Girls’ Brigade have this year launched the ICONZ programme which I am sure will be as exciting and successful as it has been for the Boys’ Brigade.
May I now take the opportunity to pay tribute to all those who have served in an administrative, operational or other capacity for the brigades in the past and in the present. That history is much of your award today.
This is also an opportunity to acknowledge the families and friends of today’s Award recipients and the sacrifice you have made to enable these young people to realise their potential. This supportive spirit is of great encouragement to these young people as they carry out their duties as members of the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade. Without this foundation, I have no doubt that the recipients would not be here today. This, therefore, is an opportunity you to stand proud and share in the achievements that this ceremony honours.
When designing the motto and crest for the Boys’ Brigade, founder William Smith, drew inspiration directly from St Paul’s letter to the Hebrews (6:19) in the King James Version of the Bible where St Paul said: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast..." Likewise, the phrase from the Gospel of St Luke (2:52): “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”, underpins the Girls’ Brigade.
These words are timeless, but they link back to the values and attributes that underpin a successful recipient of a Queen’s Award, which is that of leadership imbued by Christian faith.
To end this afternoon’s ceremony, there is something I would like to bring to mind, said by my predecessor Viscount Cobham who served as Governor-General from 1957-1962. Cobham was deeply involved in the establishment of New Zealand’s Outward Bound movement whose vision is similarly to help create 'better people, better communities, [and a] better world’.
He said in a speech to young people in 1958: “…you are not looking one way and going another; your face is turned toward the light of the new world which with God’s grace we hope to create. You are the answer to the poor misguided young people who think they are ‘tough’ by walking about in gangs and damaging property.”
And so I offer you a similar challenge – to continue being leaders in your community. As Cobham rightly pointed out, your influence on young people around you is the way to a generation that is not frightened of silence and is not frightened by the dark.
Rather yours is the time described by a favourite writer of many including myself.
“Youth is the time to go flashing from one end of the world to the other both in mind and body ; to try the manners of different nations ; to hear the chimes at midnight; to see sunrise in town and country; to be converted at a revival; to circumnavigate the metaphysics, write halting verses, run a mile to see a fire, and wait all day long in the theatre to applaud Hernani.” And so it goes on.
May Susan and I wish you all the best: celebrating your achievements, I will close in our country’s first language, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your future endeavours.
No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa