Sir George Elliot Scholarships

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 morning (Sign)

I then specifically greet you: Hon Sir Ian Barker, Chairman of the Sir George Elliot Charitable Trust and your fellow Trustees, Geoffrey Clews, Steve Corbett, Linda Fox, and Dr Stuart Middleton; scholarship recipients, and your families; representatives of three well known and respected Auckland schools, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you all to Government House Auckland for the presentation of the 2010 Sir George Elliot Scholarships.

These Scholarships bear a longstanding tradition of association with the office of Governor-General, and it is a delight, for the fifth time in my term of office, to present these scholarships.

However before doing so, I would like speak briefly about Sir George Elliot’s philanthropic endeavours and the importance of continuing education.

Sir George was a highly successful Auckland businessman, who was involved in many high profile companies, including the Bank of New Zealand, of which he was a director for more 20 years.  He also served on a number of government boards and commissions of inquiry and was knighted in 1923.

Sir George used his personal wealth to promote the ideals of individual prosperity through community prosperity.   He believed that individuals can only thrive, if they are members of a thriving community.

He also held another particular passion about the value of education.  He made significant donations to two Auckland schools, as part of his commitment to supporting educational institutes that contributed to national prosperity through education.  Those donations were both made anonymously and only became public very much later.  This matter of doing things privately was symbolic of Sir George’s philanthropic activities generally.

Sir George died in 1956, and this Trust was established in his honour.  The Trust’s purpose in supporting community work and education mirrors the interests of its benefactor and continues, to this day, in promoting continued education through its scholarship programme.

More than 100 years ago, in 1909, the then Minister of Education and then MP for Grey Lynn, another Sir George, Sir George Fowlds, commented on the need to help students who might find it difficult to afford tertiary study.  The Minister’s observation reads as follows:

“You must realise that, in the future, University Colleges will be increasingly used by the children of people of moderate means to give them equipment for the battle of life, and that… it is absolutely essential that adequate provision should be made at the present stage.”

It is true that education equips us with the tools to question the world around us and to form our own standing.  That education begins from the moment we are born, and is carried on through primary, intermediate and secondary schooling. It is at the end of secondary school that a decision comes to be made on whether or not to take the next step into tertiary education.

Tertiary education can be viewed as a ticket to life-long learning.  It gives us an opportunity to realise potential and in doing so becoming able to contribute to our country’s society, economy and democracy. 

A well-educated population is the key to a strong and prosperous nation.  New Zealand and its people are known for innovation and adaptation.  We consistently do better than one could expect of such a small and remote country on an international stage and this success can be referred back to the success of many individuals – those that have committed to life-long learning and creating their own way forward.

Without individual thinking, innovation and creativity cannot exist.  Without education, the tools to develop out own standing, cannot exist. The two go hand-in-hand, but it all rests on the importance of education.

A well known figure in education in the United States – Dean of the Yale Law School and later Chancellor of the University of Chicago, Robert Maynard Hutchins, once said that: “The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.”

To this end, the Sir George Elliot Charitable Trust offers three outstanding students, who might not otherwise be in a position to undertake tertiary study, with the means and support needed to continue their learning at tertiary level.

The three outstanding young people from Auckland Grammar, Western Springs College, and Northcote College, who this morning are being awarded a significant contribution towards the costs of their tertiary education have been chosen after a rigorous selection process.

It is at this point that a reminder is appropriate.  Each of you will receive this award because of your academic prowess and because of what have been discerned as your exceptional leadership qualities. Therefore, an obligation is attached.

In its more than 50 years of existence, the Trust has remained committed to aiding the community.  As part of this, it is awarding scholarships with a view that the recipients will contribute to the well-being of the community. 

As well as congratulating you on your success in being awarded these scholarships and wishing you all the best for your future studies and careers, I also remind you that there also arises a duty on today’s recipients, to shoulder and honour a trust that is being put in you – that you will continue to do your own best but assist others as well.

I would also like to acknowledge all three of the schools where these young people have studied, and the recipient’s families and friends.  It is your combined efforts that have enabled these young people to unfold all their potential.  There can be no doubt that without your encouragement, the exceptional individuals that stand with us this morning, would not be here today.

In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the trustees, Sir Ian, Stuart, Linda, Geoffrey and Steve. The careful and wise administration that you provide ensures that Sir George’s legacy continues to flourish.
I hope that you will all enjoy your morning and these congenial surroundings of Government House to which Susan and I again welcome you most warmly.

And on that note of anticipation in the success and contributions that these fine young people will make to this country, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, by 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.