St John administration building

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: Garry Wilson and Jaimes Wood, Chancellor and Chief Executive respectively of the Order of St John; John Wadams and Stephen Franklin, Chairman and General Manager of the Northern Region Trust Board; Venerable John Marcon, Archdeacon and Chaplain; Representatives from the community and business; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Thank you for the invitation to my wife Susan and I to this event to officially open the new St John Administration building in Mt Wellington.  As Prior of the Order in New Zealand, I have been given the privilege of unveiling a plaque and cutting a ribbon later in the proceedings.

I would first like to acknowledge the selfless efforts of St John members past and present during this, an important anniversary year of St John which has been operating in New Zealand for 125 years.

This building in which we are gathered and which opens formally today, is the latest of many that  provide shelter for St John people as they provide service to their communities.

Reverend Thomas Flavell first established St John in New Zealand in 1885.  A newspaper report of the time said the objective of the new St John branch was to render assistance to sufferers from accident or wounds, in time of peace or war.

St John can be said to have continued to pursue this objective and to have developed into an innovative and large national organisation which is trusted by the New Zealand community that this new administration building will serve well.

Those who served in times gone by would, I am sure, have been very proud to see the wide range of services that St John is able to provide today.  It is fitting that as well as housing the services that are moving St John forward, this building will also house archival material and thus preserve awareness of St John’s proud traditions.

Susan and I have enjoyed meeting many different St John people during this 125th year in a number of parts of the country and gathering a sense of the many varied talents of those who make up this multi-faceted organisation.

We have been delighted to attend a number of St John events during this year - Investitures in Tauranga last month and the Future Care Conference in Christchurch in May, when the Grand Prior, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, and the Lord Prior, Professor Anthony Mellows, were welcomed to New Zealand.

Seeing St John Youth divisions in my role as Prior has been a particular highlight, and I continue to be impressed by the possibilities for a bright St John future that the growing number of these young people promise.

Today, on entering this building I passed through a guard of honour formed by cadets of the St John Northern Region.  That was a pertinent reminder of the asset that young people are for our general community and how they are also helping to secure the future of St John.

Thanks are also due to all members of St John, and to the people behind the scenes for the work each of you is doing for the community.

The Northern Region Trust Board has, in constructing this building, developed a splendid base for the wider St John team that is in turn supporting the community across the country.

Lastly, I would like to thank community representatives for their continued support of St John. Funding support, for example, from the Lion Foundation, I am advised directly contributed to St John being able to build this new facility.  St John finishes this calendar year and moves into 2011, working together in the community and business, the efforts of which also call for commendation.

And thus on a note combining congratulations with anticipation of a bright future, I will close in New Zealand’s first language, offering everyone here greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.