Friday, August 31, 2007
Good evening. It gives me pleasure to welcome you to Hutt City for the Huttpex stamp exhibition.
For those of you in our wonderful city for the first time, I hope you are enjoying your stay with us. And to those who have been here before, it’s great to be able to share our city with you again.
I want to acknowledge and thank Leigh Gravestock and the Huttpex Organising Committee for all their hard work bringing this exhibition to Hutt City and putting it together.
Thank you also for the opportunity to say a few words. When I was slightly younger I collected stamps and spent countless hours sorting through my collection and reading my old Stanley Gibbons catalogue, dreaming of the day I might get my hands on a Penny Black.
Another keen stamp collector, former US President Franklin Roosevelt, once said: "Stamp Collecting dispels boredom, enlarges our vision, broadens our knowledge, makes us better citizens and in innumerable ways, enriches our lives".
Using President Roosevelt’s observation and paraphrasing it, I can only conclude that I must be talking to a group of excited, visionary, intelligent people…and looking around the room, I’d say that’s true!
I’m delighted to say that you are in good company, for the people of Hutt City are also known to be excited, visionary and yes, intelligent.
But seriously, we are delighted that you are here and thankful for the opportunity to host this exhibition in our city.
I hope that during your stay, you have the chance to enjoy some of what our city has to offer.
For example, a visit to The New Dowse can't be missed. Located across the road and recently reopened after a multi-million dollar, 18-month refit, it is the most innovative art galley in New Zealand.
Shopperholics among you should check out Westfield Queensgate's 140 shops.
For good coffee or a bite to eat, head to historic Jackson Street in Petone or Eastbourne village.
In all of these activities you will, to paraphrase President Roosevelt again, dispel boredom, broaden knowledge and make you more excited, visionary and intelligent people.
Like our promotional billboards say, Hutt City is "The place where you can have your Pavlova and eat it too".
Just remember: Whatever you choose to do, enjoy doing it.
Again, welcome to Hutt City and best wishes for the rest of the weekend.
Thank you.