Tuesday, May 01, 2007
It’s a pleasure to be here tonight, and it’s a pleasure to be able to support these awards to recognise the pride people have in their workmanship.
While we are recognising the people, who take pride in their work, we are also doing two things.
First, the awards remind us that it is important to salute good work, as well as the people who carry it out. Any object that has required hard work and skill in its creation deserves appreciation.
In this instance, the employers are the people best placed to appreciate good workmanship – after the worker-creator that is! So secondly we are recognising the employers who do this and who are aware of the vital importance of letting their people know that they and their work are appreciated.
So it’s a celebration of good work all round, the people who do it and the people who recognise it as well.
And that’s where the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley comes into it.
If it were not for the efforts of this club there would not be the justly deserved recognition given to people who take pride in their work.
This is a wonderful project, and the club is to be congratulated for it. It is fitting of Rotary’s ethos.
I also want to congratulate Selig Real Estate for their support.
The Council welcomes this initiative and any and all initiatives that will develop pride and achievement in our community, be that in the workplace, in our sporting and cultural life, in our physical environment or our social or spiritual lives.
However the focus tonight is on the recipients of the Pride of Workmanship Awards.
Ladies and gentlemen you are skilled and talented craftsmen. It takes time and effort, frustration and patience to develop the sets of skills needed to make good work. Because of this, you should take pride in your work and you should be recognised for your quality of work.
Taking pride in your work and enjoying your job makes for a happier and more fulfilling life. It also builds a strong company where people want to work and a strong community where people want to live. You become role models in your places of work.
The club and your employers are important, but tonight is your night and you deserve to be congratulated.