SPEECH PRESENTED ON BEHALF OF CENTENARY COMMITTEE BY CHAIRPERSON MRS DIANE DUNCAN AT HCM GALA DINNER HELD 22 AUGUST 2009

The Programme Director, honoured Guests, fellow business people, Ladies and Gentleman and all protocol observed.

On behalf of the Centenary Committee it gives us great warmth & pleasure to have you with us for this commemorative event, celebrating the 100th birthday.  I compare Margate to a very dear lady who has given some of the fondest memories, and found a place in many hearts, for locals and visitors alike, for 100 years.

Birthdays are a time for receiving Presents and tonight the mere presence of business, government and our community is a huge gift to Margate and reinforces very strong partnerships. In particular we must applaud our local government leaders who have demonstrated their commitment and recognition of the significance of Margate on the lower South Coast.

We appreciate that for just a short while ….Margate will be special and enjoy some “moments of glory” whilst it shares its’ “special kind of magic” with all other towns on the South Coast……its inhabitants……and its visitors.

To Our businesses …..

I would like to take this opportunity to share a story that will hopefully inspire us all to make that extra little difference during this centenary year.

It was 09h45 – 15 minutes prior to Mardi Gras shut down. A less fortunate and less privileged young man approached me and enquired about the people with rubbish bags cleaning the street and said he would also like to clean the street. I advised him that there were only 15 minutes to go and the clean up crew had been appointed and were just about to knock off….… He said, “I am sorry mama but I don’t think you understand. I am not asking for payment – I am just wanting to do my 67 minutes in honour of Mandela’s Birthday”.

This display of community participation brought tears to all our eyes.  I challenge you all to give your “67 minutes worth” in honour of Margate’s Birthday, because tonight is just the beginning.

We plan to roll out the red carpet and share these celebrations with everyone who lives in Margate…..  Everyone who works in Margate …..And everyone who visits Margate.

During this centenary year we are using every opportunity to surprise and delight our community and visitors to our town through heartwarming community initiatives and new events.  Some of these special events just may include 2 Guinness Book of World Record attempts.

Your participation and “presence” will be the greatest gift we can give to Margate.

It is through this “presence” into the future that Margate will continue to hold the coveted title as the nation’s most popular holiday destination - which has also lately been referred to as a “premier destination”.

Our Centenary is about upliftment……….tourism…..development and legacy!

Madam Mayor and honoured guests,

Talking about Legacy,

Imagine……

Imagine for one moment I gave you the opportunity, once every Centenary to have a blank canvas placed before you, and let’s say I gave the canvas a name for instance “The Margate Centenary Wall of Fame”?

Your task – an envious one, create, revive,  and stimulate memories – through names… names that make you smile, applaud, cry a little, laugh, but most of all treasure.

Ladies and Gentlemen…..your canvas awaits….CREATE!

Thank you to Esayidi College and their Community Responsive Unit for the manufacture and donation of the Centenary Wall of Fame board to be installed in the new Margate Community Centre.

(Hall of Fame speech written by Arnold Hoffman – Centenary Committee)