Speech
Presentation of Mission to Seafarers (Auckland) Life Memberships
Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)
I also extend greetings to you Chairman of the Mission to Seafarers, Captain Chris Barradale; Life Membership Award recipients, Pat and Ron Barker and Honorary Life Membership recipient, Major David Millar.
As Patron, it is pleasure to be here this evening to present three Life Membership Awards, and to be hosted by The Mission to Seafarers of Auckland.
With my commitments as Governor-General, my wife Susan and I have the opportunity to travel a great deal around New Zealand. However, our travels would pale considerably in comparison to those sailors who have been welcomed to the city of Auckland by the Mission to Seafarers over the years. Yours is a standout organisation with a prominent profile, over a lifetime, in my case.
The work of this charitable organisation is possible only through the dedication of a network of volunteers who provide a warm welcome to weary seafarers looking for some time away from their ships.
These volunteers play an important role. They are often the first point of contact in this country for many seafarers, and so they also represent New Zealand. Given the importance of first impressions, it is pleasing to know the Mission boasts such friendly, helpful volunteers.
This evening, we are honouring three of these volunteers. The first two, Pat and Ron Barker are deserving recipients of the Mission to Seafarers Life Membership Awards for their work for their service over 27 years. Mainly working during the evenings at the Centre, Pat and Ron have shown exceptional dedication to the Mission and its work.
Major David Millar has been involved with the Mission for 12 years as Chaplain. His work, in addition to that with the Chapel, involves calling on visiting ships to outline the Centre's facilities. I am told that he too has been a valuable volunteer to the Auckland Seafarers Centre over the years and is a deserving recipient of an Honorary Life Membership.
Before I present these awards I would like to finish with a quotation from William Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of Venice:
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world.
For many years these three recipients have provided a welcome light for people who are far from home. I commend them once again on their service.
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