1 April 2010

Meaghan Li © MARCUS ADAMS, TRAVELLING LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY LTD

Student on way to Gallipoli after winning The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition

Wellington: Auckland student Meaghan Li (17) of Macleans College, of Manukau today won the national final of The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition.

Veteran’s Affairs Minister Judith Collins announced Meaghan had won after the eight regional finalists spent the morning delivering their speeches at the National War Memorial in Wellington.

Meaghan will now travel to Gallipoli as an RSA representative on the official New Zealand delegation to Turkey for the 95th Commemoration of the Anzac Landings at Gallipoli.

She said she was “speechless” at winning the competition and also paid tribute to her fellow competitors.

“I am just stoked. It's extremely humbling, and was not expected. It is an absolute honour considering those who spoke today. I'm pleased and proud to be representing New Zealand on this trip."

The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition is a partnership between the RSA and The National Bank, aimed at promoting among young people a deeper understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by those who have served New Zealand in wars and armed conflicts overseas.

It is also a tribute to Cyril Bassett, VC, (1892-1983) who was the only New Zealander at Gallipoli to be awarded the Victoria Cross, and who worked his entire career at The National Bank. Members of his old regiment, the 1st New Zealand Signal Regiment, also attended today’s final.

RSA president Robin Klitscher was “dumbstruck” with the talent and said that Meaghan’s speech about the Unknown Warrior was excellent, and brought home how connected young people are to our Anzac Heritage.

“It will be a great pleasure to accompany Meaghan, an outstanding young New Zealander, to Gallipoli and I know that she will appreciate the significance of being there this Anzac Day.”

ANZ New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Jenny Fagg said the standard of speeches was impressive and a credit to the students and to their schools.

	Dr Jenny Fagg CEO ANZ New Zealand, Robin Klitscher National President RNZRSA with competition winner Meaghan Li of Auckland. © MARCUS ADAMS, TRAVELLING LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY LTD

“Congratulations to Meaghan and to all the talented young finalists from around New Zealand who gave us speeches of such high calibre. The National Bank is immensely proud to be part of this competition in honour of Cyril Bassett VC who was one of hundreds of National Bank staff who served New Zealand overseas, many paying the ultimate sacrifice.”

The winner will represent the RSA and travel with the official New Zealand delegation to Turkey for the 95th Commemoration of the Anzac Landings at Gallipoli. The winner will also receive an additional $1,000 for travel expenses from The National Bank; a laptop and digital camera to record their experience.

Regional winners of The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition won a National Bank account worth $1000, and youth RSA membership, while their school received $1000 and a military history book.

Hon Judith Collins Minister of Veterans Affairs with competition winner Meaghan Li of Macleans College Auckland, Dr Jenny Fagg CEO ANZ New Zealand and Robin Klitscher National President RNZRSA © MARCUS ADAMS, TRAVELLING LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY LTD

To watch a report of the Final see www.3news.co.nz

About Cyril Bassett VC

Cyril Bassett won his VC for bravery as a member of the New Zealand Divisional Signals Company (now known as 1st New Zealand Signal Regiment). One historian summed Mr Bassett’s contribution thus: “No VC on the (Gallipoli) Peninsula was more consistently earned…this was not for one brilliant act of bravery, but for a full week of ceaseless devotion.”

One historian summed Mr Bassett’s contribution at Gallipoli in 1915:

“During the ferocious battle for Chunuk Bair, Mr Bassett and a handful of companions laid and subsequently repaired a telephone wire to the front line. In full daylight and under continuous and heavy fire, Bassett 'dashed and then crept, then dashed and crept again, up to the forward line'. The lines were cut again and again, but Bassett and his fellow linesmen went out day and night to mend them. He was always modest about his actions, later claiming, 'It was just that I was so short that the bullets passed over me.'

He reportedly was always reluctant to talk about the VC award saying, 'All my mates ever got were wooden crosses.'

In Cyril Bassett’s honour, The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition invites Year 12 and year 13 secondary school students to pay tribute to the men and women who made sacrifices, and in many cases died, in the service of New Zealand.

Students competed in regional competitions, and then a national final in the lead-up to Anzac Day 2010. The competition winner will travel to Gallipoli to attend the 2010 Anzac commemorations, and will also win a cash prize for the school and a laptop computer and digital camera so they can record their experiences at the hallowed ground where so many New Zealanders lost their lives.