At a special function held at the College on Sunday afternoon (16 February 2020), to welcome all our new Members and their families, the 2020 President of the Member's Association, Remin Reji Mathew gave a most impressive speech. This is what he said to an audience of around 400 people ...
He aha te me-a nui o te a-o. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
Like the sun in the sky, like the fish in the ocean, we are what makes St Margaret’s College light up the night sky.
In the middle of last year, I laid my first step on the soft, warm carpet of St. Margaret’s. Coming from a polytech, it was my first time being with people of my age. I was really nervous, but also excited at the same time. I was eager to meet everyone and could not stop the smile on my face. I thought to myself “even if I could make one good friend, I will be happy.” That’s when I met my first friend – Erfan, and he introduced me to the rest of the College. I felt warmth from this beautiful family. As the old people say: "Home is having somewhere to go. Family is having someone to love. And a blessing is having both."
A part of my family is the Executive team. We are a bunch of enthusiastic people, who are here to support and make fun events throughout the year. We are your family and we are here for you.
I think many of you would be feeling the same excitement and nervousness that I felt when I first arrived. I was quite disorientated. The unfamiliar faces, the quirky college leaders, George’s slick hair and Dr. Tustin’s bright socks. It won’t be long till you are all going to tutorials in your PJs. It also won’t be long until Dr. Tustin’s pie chart enters your dream. Margs will become a second home, and when you leave, you will miss the constant buzz. It will feel weird to eat breakfasts alone and people will be shocked when you ask for dinner at 5 o'clock.
During the summer break, I decided to stay here at St. Margaret’s. I watched everyone leave one by one after their final exams. The dining hall became empty, the VCR was silent, it was just me and the college cat – Athena. It felt like St. Margaret’s had no soul. You see, without you guys it’s just a building.
Many of you would have just graduated high school, and now is when your roads are open: Now is the time we take on the world, to find and pursue our passion, and to respect the time we are given in this world.
As my mentor use to say: “What makes life valuable is that it doesn’t last forever, what makes it precious is that it ends. I say it today of all days to remind us that time is luck because remember that every great individual began as an average person – like you and me. And they achieved greatness by being wise with their time. We can all achieve greatness, whether that is recognized by the world, or just by a few. Greatness comes from the friend reaching out to us. Those who go out of their way to be thoughtful. They are the true unsung heroes. If there is anything you take from today is that to leave a legacy and achieve greatness is not to get money and get recognition, it is to leave those you cross paths with a little more happiness and hope. Our time together here will not be remembered by grades, popularity, likes or favorites – but by our relationships – the kind of person that you are. These. Are legacies. The most important legacy to leave.
He aha te me-a nui o te a-o. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata
I am Remin Reji Matthew and from the bottom of my heart I wish you a good year ahead.
