Kudos to Margaret Wilson for two solemn, respectful remembrance speeches at Gallipoli.
Speech to Turkish International Service: Mehmetcik Memorial
Speech to Dawn Service: ANZAC Cove
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Congratulations also to Derek Lardelli, acclaimed Maori tattooist, composer & teacher who becomes the first artist in residence at Gallipoli. In what seems a lifetime ago, I was taught East Coast moteatea (pre-European songs, chants, poetry), whakapapa (geneaology), and Aa tipuna korero (histories) by Derek at Tairawhiti Polytech. I credit him, along with Wayne Ngata & George Kerekere, for instilling my lifelong passion for researching waiata tawhito (ancient Maori songs). They probably only remember me - if at all - as a stroppy, arrogant, know-it-all, pain in the butt. Nothing's changed :-) Kia ora!
Hei whakamaumaharatanga
(A remembrance)
Tena koutou rau rangatira ma
Nga tamatoa a Tu-mata-u-enga
kua hinga ki te mura o te ahi
Ko wai ka hua, ka tohu?
i te aroha noa
Ka tauwehe, ka raungaiti nga morehu
ka mapu, maringi noa nga roimata
ka ngau te mamae i ahau
Haere ra!
Takahi atu ra te Ara-whanui-a-Tane
kia u ki a Hine-nui-te-po
kua wheturangihia
We salute you, illustrious ones
The brave progeny of Tu, the angry faced War God
slain in the fury of battle
Who can say? Who can express
this profound outpouring of gratitude?
Desolate at our separation
my chest heaves, my face burns with inconsolable tears
grief gnaws relentlessly within
Farewell!
Tread the shimmering path traced by the setting sun o'er the westward sea
Cleave to the breast of the Great Night Goddess
you shall adorn her sky as whispering stars
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