Stirring RSA speeches

110316PBBassett AT the ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition regional finals are (from left) RSA District President, Glover Anderson, ANZ Marton Branch Manager Louise McFetridge, Victoria Bruce, Mikayla Cadman, Grayson Nepia, Margaret Wells, Michael McLeod, Chenchen Huang, Aiofe Broad, Michael Galvin, Zachary Morder and Adair Valentine-Robertson. PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS

Ten articulate, intelligent, informed and idealistic young people stood before an assembly at the Wanganui RSA last Friday to deliver speeches in the ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition regional finals.
The students, from 10 secondary schools in the Wellington West Coast Taranaki district, had one theme to cover - 'New Zealanders in WW1', a subject that embraces Kiwis who served or were involved in The Great War.
Michael McLeod of New Plymouth Boys High, Mikayla Cadman of Hawera High School and Grayson Nepia of Wanganui Collegiate School, were awarded first, second and third respectively. Speeches had to fit within six to eight minutes timeframe and were judged by local toastmasters Tony Sisson, Peter Ramsden and David Hughes. The speakers were introduced by RSA District President, Glover Anderson.
The Merewether Lounge held a good crowd of students, family members, well-wishers, RSA dignitaries, with Lousie McFetridge, branch manager of ANZ Marton, representing the sponsors.
The regional winner chosen on the day received $1000 plus $1000 for their school. The national winner receives a laptop, a smartphone and a trip to Gallipoli.
Aiofe Broad of Wellington Girls' College spoke about Leslie Andrew, VC. She put modern concerns and activities into the context of a time when a war engulfed the world, trivialising what we would now call 'first world problems', then told the story of Wanganui's hero.
Michael McLeod of New Plymouth Boys' High began his speech with a spirited Ka Mate and spoke of the haka's role in the Maori Contingent, later known as the Maori Pioneer Battalion. Michael's great great grandfather, Albert Victor Waetford, second lieutenant to that battalion, was his personal link to World War 1.
Michael Galvin from Wellington College talked about Dave Gallagher, captain of the 1905 'Originals', the All Blacks team that toured the British Isles. Ten years after that tour, Gallagher was back in Europe. He was killed at Passchendaele in 1917. Michael asked if Gallagher was a war hero or a rugby hero, and he compared the two.
Chenchen Huang of Hutt Valley High School spoke of what it means to be a New Zealander, his obvious heritage adding either an irony or a truth to the subject, depending on your perspective.
He began with the flag debate and spoke of the nationalistic fervour of 1914 that gave New Zealand its identity.
Margaret Wells of Sacred Heart Girls College New Plymouth took a new look at World War 1 by talking about Anzac girls. She described two people in an old photograph - a boy dressed in uniform, the girl similarly, but her uniform the red and white of a nurse. Heavily emotive, Margaret's speech was about the strength and courage of the women who went as volunteers to do a necessary duty.
Adair Valentine-Robertson, New Plymouth Girls' High also tugged at the heart strings with an account of Jack Condon and his return to New Zealand as a disabled man and that he was not recognised as a war hero because he returned alive. She called it 'The living death'. Adair delivered a passionate speech that brought tears to many in the audience.
Wanganui Collegiate School's Grayson Nepia spoke of respect. Using her school as a reference point and former students who went to war, she wondered why there was not more respect for them and what they did. Grayson's indignation turned to anger and the audience was gripped by her fury. "Respect has been lost because of the ticking of the clock," she said.
Zachary Morder of Onslow College spoke of his great, great uncle, Captain Bruce Somerville Hay.
Victoria Bruce of Paraparaumu College also personalised the war when she talked about the heroism of Henry John Laurent VC and the lasting effects of the war on those who came back.
The last speaker, Mikayla Cadman of Hawera High School, used the words of a World War 1 soldier writing to his wife added to her own thoughts to ask why we only put aside one day a year to remember the heroes of war, saying that what happened 100 years ago was just as relevant today.
The regional winners compete in the national final in Wellington on March 23.