Order of St John

In responding to the toast, 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 evening time (Sign)

May I then specifically greet you - offeror of the toast: Garry Wilson, tomorrow afternoon to be installed as Chancellor of the Order of St John; your predecessor in that office, Rob Fenwick; Members and guests of St John; Postulants - that is candidates for office or for membership; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a delight to be in position this weekend for an important set of St John occasions - and to have the opportunity to reply to the toast to the Order by Postulant Knight and Designate Chancellor, Garry Wilson.

The Order of St John is described as an ancient Christian fellowship. It connotes a group of people brought together by the same common ideals.  Just about everything the Order does has some historic connection with the medieval Order of St John founded over 900 years ago.

This dinner, for instance, resonates something of that history because of its continuance of the tradition of members meeting for fellowship the night before an investiture-accompanied by postulants or candidates who would dine and then begin a night long vigil before installation on the next day. While this occasion will not be followed by the rigour of a vigil, there is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the commitment that tomorrow's investiture will evidence.

In the spirit of the Order’s insignia - that which is written under its Coat of Arms Pro Fide Pro Utilitate Hominum - literally from the Latin “For the Faith and In the Service Of Humanity” the words resonate three things:-
• (1) care of the sick and the poor
• (2) obedience to the Order and
• (3) being women and men of honour.

Tomorrow, as Prior, I will have the privilege to confer the accolade of Knight on Mr Wilson and to instal him as Chancellor.  The Chancellor has the role of providing leadership for St John in New Zealand within the context of its traditions, its charitable purposes and within the objects of the Order.  Mr Wilson, you are a well known and respected leader with a distinguished past career in public service, and particularly to do with the health sector.  You have chosen to share the St John mission of care.

As Chancellor Mr Wilson will also chair the Priory Trust Board and I look forward to sharing with him and Chief Executive Jaimes Wood the progress achieved by our organisation.

Like all the governance roles in St John, the position of Chancellor is a volunteer role.  It requires commitment to the organisation and carries responsibilities for leadership.  From my knowledge of him, I am confident that Mr Wilson will lead and serve us well, and I am pleased to welcome him to the St John family.

This evening also provides me with an opportunity to pay tribute to our former Chancellor, Rob Fenwick, who completed an extended term a few weeks ago.  A characteristic of Mr Fenwick’s term as Chancellor was that of considerable progress and I would like to record my acknowledgement of the huge contribution that you have made to the Order of St John in New Zealand, Rob, continuing in your case a family tradition of public service - particularly to St John affairs. 

In the 150 weeks or so of my time as Prior thus far there has been hardly a week pass when we have not had some St John matter to further and I want to add thanks to you for your admirable skill and tenacity in your service to St John at this level.  You have also provided friendship and inclusion for Susan. 

Recollection of highlights would take long debate  because of so many settings in which we have worked - urban and rural - in New Zealandese ranging from Timaru to Turangawaewae.  I bring to mind, for example,  the young boy at Holy Trinity who became so excited in the parade that when the Prior and Chancellor came along he saluted with both hands.  I bring to mind the welcome to St John at Turangawaewae.  We would however have no debate on the low point which was at Timaru where prior to the Investiture you managed to install a television set that suggested that the All Blacks had been defeated by France in their World Cup encounter at the Milennium Stadium at Cardiff.  I extend thanks to you for your service to St John and offer very best wishes for the future.

A key objective for our Order in New Zealand is to husband the St John community-that is members meeting and working collegially.  Order Members are bound by rules, but are also bound together by personal desire and a commitment to be part of the fellowship, which is unique in the way it cares for all New Zealanders - and has done since 1883.

This evening’s function provides the senior leadership of St John and the Postulants with an opportunity to meet and more importantly for our Postulants to begin the process of the St John journey, that is coming to know the Order’s governance structure and their role and responsibilities of individuals in it.

It is necessary for us all to work together for the good of the Order and the community we serve. From the Postulants will come the future leaders of St John organisation.

There remains a role for senior members to be mentors, and for Postulants to engage more and more fully in the Order as time progresses.

I would like to lay emphasis on family and friends who are supporting the Postulants over this time.  Postulants cannot undertake their work for us without your support and I register thanks for this.

To close I offer first the Postulants, congratulations and very best wishes as you begin a new journey in the Order of St John.

Secondly to the organisers of this evening who have been led by Dennis Dufty as the Investiture Committee Chair, and to the Northern Region

I offer thanks for your care in making this a very special weekend.

Thirdly Mr Chancellor-designate Garry Wilson I offer you on behalf of us all, thanks for your toast to the Order.

And on that note I will conclude in our country's first language Māori, offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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