A teenager with the gift of the gab will shortly leave for Gallipoli in Turkey to attend the annual ANZAC Day.
Rachel Boyd, a student of the Whangarei Girls’ High School earned the honour as the topper at the ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition, an annual event to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by those who served New Zealand in armed conflicts overseas.
RSA (Returned & Services’ Association) National President Don Mclever and ANZ General Manager (Human Resources) Felicity Evans presented Rachel with a travel ticket, $1000 cash, trophy, laptop computer and a digital camera after the finals.
The 18-year-old girl impressed the judges with her speech on Victoria Cross winner James Ward. Using the heroic war feats of James as an example, Rachel’s speech highlighted the fact that the men who served our country in the world wars were about the same age as her – an age of new responsibilities.
“These young men and women were not deciding if their duvet spread matched their curtains. They were deciding whether to stand up and fight for New Zealand, in a country miles away from home, where life and death wasn’t a sure thing each day.”
Rachel was one of eight Year 12 and Year 13 students to speak in the national final, within eight minutes on ‘New Zealanders at War.’
‘Wonderful demonstration’
RSA Chief Executive Stephen Clarke described the competition “as a wonderful demonstration of New Zealand’s young people honouring the sacrifice and commitment made by so many before them.
“It is a way of keeping the memory alive throughout the generations. Wartime must seem very distant to our young people today, but it is great to see that these students appreciate the courage and commitment of those who served for us,” he said.
Launched in 2010 under The National Bank brand, the Competition is a tribute to Cyril Bassett, VC (1892-1983), the only New Zealander at Gallipoli to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
Throughout his career, he worked at The National Bank, which was purchased by ANZ in 2003 and merged the brands last year.
Ms Evans said the Bank, which has been in New Zealand for more than 140 years, is proud to be involved in this celebration of our country’s history for the fourth year.
“It is a fitting tribute to Cyril Bassett and all the other brave Kiwis who played a role in our wartime history,” she said.
The picture here shows Rachel Boyd (centre) with Don McIver (left) and Felicity Evans (right). ANZ is the Title Sponsor (jointly with Radio Tarana) of the Indian Newslink Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture, scheduled to be held at Stamford Plaza Hotel, Auckland from 630 pm on Monday, July 29, 2013. Vino Ramayah, Executive Chairman of Medtech Global Limited will be the Guest Speaker, with ‘Transparency: Myth or Reality’ as the theme of his address. For more details write to editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
