January 18, 2008

Valedictory time set aside at council meeting for Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary will be honoured at Environment Canterbury’s February 7 council meeting, its first for 2008.

ECan Chair Sir Kerry Burke has placed a valedictory debate for Sir Edmund Hillary on the meeting agenda and will formally move a motion for the Council to consider. He is suggesting that about four councillors could make speeches, as well as especially invited representatives of the community, to pay tribute to the life and work of the famous mountaineer and former New Zealand High Commissioner to India.

These people, some representing groups which Sir Edmund was involved with in Canterbury, could include Antarctic NZ and the New Zealand Alpine Clubs as well as Ngai Tahu and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, in his capacity as chair of the Canterbury Mayoral Forum.

Sir Kerry has suggested that other regional councillors to speak could include Deputy Chair Jo Kane, herself an endurance athlete, Cr Bronwen Murray, who lives in the Mackenzie District, close to the Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park where Sir Edmund honed his mountaineering skills and Cr Alec Neill, a former MP representing the Aoraki/Mount Cook area.

Sir Kerry said the debate would be formally transcribed and sent to Sir Edmund’s family as a tribute to his legacy in the Canterbury region.

The valedictory for Sir Edmund Hillary is set to begin around 9.45 am February 7 and will be open to the public.

ENDS

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