Speech lands teen in Gallipoli

Huanui College's Richard Young, 17, was nervous before his winning speech about the role of poetry and music during World War I. Photo / John Stone

A Northland teenager who has earned an opportunity to travel to Gallipoli may be given the chance to make a speech at the Anzac Day centenary commemorations.

Huanui College's Richard Young, 17, took out the regional final of the 2015 ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition in Whangarei on Saturday.

The win means he will travel to Gallipoli, in Turkey, in April as one of eight Youth Ambassador's from around the country to attend the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing by Anzac troops.

"I was really surprised because I personally didn't think I spoke that well," Richard said of his win. "Right before it I got extremely nervous."

The speech, titled O Valiant Hearts after the hymn by Sir John Arkwright, was about the role poetry and music played in both depicting the horrors of war and uniting countries during WWI.

The speech was partially inspired by his love of music - he plays principal trumpet in the Whangarei Youth Music orchestra - but also his family history. Richard's great grandfather, who was South African, played a concert for troops in Monte Carlo during WWI.

"Music has been a really big part of my life," he said. After participating in the competition last year, Richard had spent the holidays thinking about this year's entry.

"It's sort of just a way of remembering the things that people have done for us," he said. "I was really excited because it was something I had been thinking about for a long time."

Richard will compete at the national final on March 12 for the privilege to speak at the Anzac Day centenary commemorations in Gallipoli on April 27.

"I think it will be a trip of a lifetime," he said. Richard finished his almost eight-minute speech by reminiscing about the time he was 10-years-old and played the Last Post at his primary school Anzac ceremony. At the time he had no appreciation for why teachers, parents and grandparents came to him afterwards with tears in their eyes and lumps in their throats, he said.

"Now, at the age of 17 I have a greater appreciation of the images those haunting notes conjure up in the minds of New Zealanders. It is not just one little boy playing a tune, but it is the image of shared history, of loved ones lost, victories won and a fight for freedom."

The speech competition was established in 2010 as a tribute to Cyril Bassett, VC - the only New Zealander at Gallipoli to be awarded the Victoria Cross.