2008 Secondary Schools Speech Competition

‘New Zealanders at War — Honouring Their Service’

2008 will be a significant year to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of New Zealanders — both the living and the dead.

Tribute08 — A Vietnam Commemoration (Queen’s Birthday Weekend, Wellington) is a Government-sponsored event to honour our Vietnam Veterans and their families contribution to New Zealand.

Armistice Day 2008 (11 November 2008) will mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice at 11am on 11 November 1918, ending hostilities on the Western Front and ultimately the First World War. Today, Armistice Day commemorates the sacrifice of those who died serving New Zealand in this and all wars and armed conflicts.

To mark this significant year for Vietnam Veterans and the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice, RNZRSA is sponsoring a National Secondary Schools Speech Competition. Regional Finals will be held during July and the National Final will be held at Parliament on Monday, 25 August 2008.

The Competition

Speech subject:

‘New Zealanders at War — Honouring Their Service’

In view of the significance of Tribute08 students may wish to embrace New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War, either in its totality or they may choose to profile an individual New Zealander’s experience, examine the legacy of Vietnam for New Zealand, or an aspect of its commemoration.

In recognition of the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice students may alternatively wish to consider New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War, either in its totality or they may wish to concentrate on a particular campaign, such as the final dramatic liberation of the northern French town of Le Quesnoy in November 1918, examine the legacy of World War I for veterans, families, communities or the nation, or consider why we continue to remember today.

‘New Zealanders at War — Honouring Their Service’ is not confined to the above subjects and students are invited to consider New Zealanders who served overseas at any time in our nation’s history: the South African War, World War I, World War II, the occupation force in Japan, the Korean War, operations in Malaya and Borneo, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and numerous Peacekeeping operations such as East Timor and in the Middle East.

Speechmakers may choose a particular war/operation or to cover them collectively; or they may choose to profile a veteran; examine the legacy of war for New Zealand society; or an aspect of the commemoration of war.

Eligibility: Year 12 and 13 students who are able to travel independently to Regional and National competitions. Travel and associated expenses to the Regional Finals and the National Final will be met by RNZRSA.

Speech duration: 6–8 minutes

Competition prizes:

• Regional Winner $1,000 and $1,000 for the Regional Winner’s School.
• National Winner $5,000 and $1,000 for the National Winner’s School.

Competition process:

Students wishing to participate in the competition should express interest with your Heads of English/History or the Principal.