Speech
Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association (RNZRSA)
May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Maori, 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 specifically greet you: Hon John Key, Prime Minister; Ian McKinnon, Acting Mayor of Wellington; RNZRSA National President Robin Klitscher, Hon Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence; Hon Heather Roy, Associate Minister of Defence; Hon Peter Dunne, Minister of Revenue; Hon Rick Barker, representing the Leader of the Opposition; Rear Admiral Jack Steer, Vice-Chief of Defence; John McKinnon, Secretary of Defence; Rick Ottaway, General Manager of Veterans' Affairs;
Ken Doolan, on your first visit to the National Council in New Zealand since last month becoming National President of the Returned and Services League of Australia; RNZRSA delegates; distinguished guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Your invitation to my wife Susan to be here and for me to open the 93rd National Council Association meeting is very much appreciated. This continues the long-standing tradition of a Governor-General representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at this important event, and I would like to begin by reading a message from Her Majesty. It is headed Buckingham Palace and is addressed to your President. Its words read:
‘Please convey my warm thanks to the Chief Executive and delegates of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association for their kind message of loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of their ninety-third National Council meeting, which is being held in Wellington today.
‘As your Patron, I much appreciate your continued support and, in return, send my best wishes to all concerned for a most successful and enjoyable event.’
Elizabeth R.
Each year your Council meets to discuss RSA business, and issues of the day. It is time to remember fallen comrades and the conflicts in which our soldiers and service personnel participated, and which have so tragically cost so many valuable lives.
That is part of our heritage as a nation, and we honour those who served our country by building on their memory for today and looking towards the future which their sacrifices have provided for us.
It seems appropriate to observe, that the theme of this year’s Council meeting is ‘Carrying the Flag to all Generations’. This acknowledges that as the RSA approaches its centenary in 2016, it is timely to take stock of what has been achieved in the past, what is being achieved now and how best to anticipate what lies ahead.
The theme also acknowledges the need to stay responsive to the groups that make up the organisation.
I refer to the 200,000 New Zealanders eligible for RSA support. These include the 14,500 veterans who receive war disablement pensions, the 6000 or so war widows who receive the Surviving Spouses pension, and the many thousands who benefit from RSA programmes, including welfare officers, helpers and hospital visitors.
But to look only at that dimension of the RSA is to see only one part of the picture, and one part of the Association’s activities.
Today’s RSA is a vital, relevant organisation with a history, mana and meaning for many New Zealanders which is quite possibly unique. Adopting the theme of ‘Carrying the Flag to all Generations’ is both a stake in the ground about the Association’s future intentions, and a statement of fact about the present.
Some may see the RSA as a haven for mostly males of a certain age. It may come as a surprise to hear that the RSA has recently experienced not only greater diversification of its membership, but a 3.7 percent rise in membership numbers – the first membership increase since 2002.
The median age of new members joining the RSA is 53 year. For these younger people, membership enables many to tap into a range of advocacy initiatives and support services.
Equally important, at a time when actively participating in the community is identified as essential in maintaining good physical and mental health, membership can also assist in meeting the very human need to belong.
Recognising that many RSA venues are facilities that sit squarely in the centre of communities, the Association has launched new initiatives to support and revitalise RSAs around the country.
As well as honouring the past, this move supports the current membership, serves the community and looks to the needs and interests of future generations.
Every year, as Susan and I attend ANZAC commemorations, we are struck, along with so many others, by the number of young people present at home and abroad.
This year we were privileged to attend and I to speak at Gallipoli. To see a large number of not only young Kiwis and Aussies but also young people from throughout the Commonwealth, and indeed the world, at these services was very moving.
When we see so many young people at the ANZAC events, it is sobering to think that many of them are of a similar age as New Zealanders who have served and died in Europe, Africa, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, and the many other conflict zones.
With this in mind, the RSA has been moving to use interactive technologies to meet young people on their own ground. I understand this year’s ANZAC Day Google Poppy Map of New Zealand, for example, has been hugely popular, and provided for the first time details of where to find ANZAC services online.
Similarly, the Association’s mobile phone Poppy Campaign not only supported the annual Poppy Appeal, but also enabled hundreds of people to post messages on a virtual Wall of Remembrance.
Initiatives such as these are further recent examples of the Association’s ongoing commitment to youth. One such initiative is the American Field Scholarship/RSA Gallipoli Youth Award cultural exchange with Turkey. In this exchange, Turkish High School student Gizem Gencel came to New Zealand and Mt Albert Grammar student, Spencer McGarry, traveled to Turkey.
Spencer had the privilege of speaking The Ode at the ANZAC Day service at Chunuk Bair. On the same day as Spencer was speaking at Chunuk Bair, Gizem Gencel was addressing the ANZAC Day service in Wellington.
I would like to quote from Gizem’s speech because it seems to me it captures the spirit of those young people from the opposite ends of the world, who share a bond forged between two countries long ago. She said:
“We are the kids of war and peace, we are not going to forget that peace is our greatest treasure.”
If we were able to ask those New Zealanders who died in action what they wanted as their legacy, I’m certain the answer would be to support and advocate for veterans, ex-service personnel and their families, stay relevant and look to the future.
In continuing to assist those who have served and their families, by being an integral part of communities around New Zealand, by welcoming new members and proactively engaging with the young, the RNZRSA honours the past, stays relevant in the present and builds a future from a position of strength.
And on that note, I will close in New Zealand’s first language, Māori, issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavors. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.
I am pleased to officially open the 93rd National Council meeting of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association, and wish all of you well for this gathering, and for the year ahead.