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Venue: Manukau Memorial Gardens, 357 Puhinui Rd, Papatoetoe.



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

· Noelene Mudgeway, manager, Manukau Memorial Gardens
· Colin Topp, National Vice President, Royal New Zealand RSA
· Representatives from the various RSAs in this region
· Ross Robertson, Member of Parliament for Manukau East
· Ladies and Gentlemen


It is a pleasure to be here this morning, at the Manukau Memorial Gardens. This is a very special place for many people.

It is where a very special memorial is to be built.

I am of course, referring to the memorial planned by the various RSAs in our region.

There is quite a bit of history to the project. It’s been on the drawing board for some time.

The mayor of Manukau City, Sir Barry Curtis, for instance, has promoted over a number of years, the idea that an RSA memorial be established in the Gardens.

More recently, the South Auckland RSA Cemetery Trust has been a driving force behind plans to build a memorial.

The concept behind the memorial is sound, and even slightly unusual.

It is planned the memorial will be a symbolic place of remembrance for everyone who has served their country as army, navy, and air force personnel.

It will mark the debt of gratitude we in New Zealand owe everyone who has served our country in a war or emergency.

Unfortunately many New Zealanders did not return from those overseas theatres, and their service is honoured in various memorials that have been established overseas.

But for the many who did return and who have subsequently died, their service will be remembered here, in these Gardens.

It will enable us, and succeeding generations remember the conditions under which our veterans served and the personal sacrifices they, their families and friends made.

Because we know we cannot begin to understand the impact such service had, and in many cases continues to have, on their daily lives.

That’s why I am pleased as the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, to contribute today this cheque for $20,000 towards the building of the memorial.

The money comes from a smallish Minister’s discretionary fund available to me to access as I deem appropriate.

I believe this memorial is a timely, valuable project and one which I am honoured to be able to contribute.

I speak on behalf of the Prime Minister, Helen Clark – a strong advocate for our veteran community – and as a strong endorsement of the work of the cemetery trust.

I also speak on behalf of Sir Barry Curtis – who very much regrets his absence this morning due to a prior engagement – also a strong endorsement of the proposed memorial.

The memorial will cost rather a lot more money to complete than I am able to hand over today.

But I hope this cheque is a step along the way to the South Auckland RSA Cemetery Trust realising their goal.

I look forward to returning at some later date – along with Sir Barry and the Prime Minister – to the official unveiling of the memorial.

I’d like to now give the cheque to Colin Topp for his safe keeping.

Thank you very much.

 

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