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Remarks by the President at the 2006 Chateau Historical Association Dinner
27 April 2006

The North Lawn
The Chateau

8.30 PM (WST)

THE PRESIDENT: Good Evening and it is with great pleasure for me to welcome all of you to the People's House, the Chateau. It is always a pleasure to has so many artists, historians, wirters in our mists to celebrate once again the beauty of this mansion.

President Harrision once said, that this house, is not a magnicifent house, it is not the biggest house, manier than most, simplier tna many other castles in the country, but it's the best house, becasue it is the house where people rule with the heart.

Tonight we celebrate history. we celebrate the arrival of memories, form the past, as we go down memory lain and reaccount historical points that happen within these walls. I think the beauty of the President's House is that someone actually lives in it. And yet, so many things takes place here, and any ordinary citizen can visit. It is an amazing place.

I want to welcome the Chief Executive of the Chateau Historical Association who over all these years has been ensuring that the People's House remains open to the public, who has been providing material to our school children when they learn and tour the Chateau. (applause)

I want to honor the historians who have worked tiredlessly to referbish this 352 year old house. I want to thank them for making it what it is, and accounting all the historical things that happen in here.

The next thing which this assocation can be peoud of it the fact that they have brought the Presidency closer to the public. From Easter, which we hosted recently, to Chirstmas and everything in between, tourists form all over the world get to visit this house, and walk through it's hallowed halls. Every weekend, we have over 2000 visitors walk though and per week, we have up to 4000 visits come through those gates. And it is all thanks to the many volunteers and persons working at the association. (applause)

And of course if you add in all the other people who are here on official visits like all of you under this tent and those who work here, we have close to 6000 people who pass through the gates every week. Now which that amount of people, we sure need good referbishers. (Laughter) (Applause)

You are the people that keep the Blue Room looking so stately, and the Marx Guilligan Hall, where countless performances, like the ones we will enjoy later take place. And not to mention the residence, where Linda, Gavin and I make our homes. I would sit down at dinner and ponder the 18th Centuary paintings across from me, or think about how Preisdent Sophyer whould have dinner in that very same room some 250 years ago. I would be working or playing some board games on my desk in the Study upstairs and then I'll remember the table I am using to be the Flandston Table, and all the treaties that have been signed on it. I think it is humbling at those moments, and it is thanks to the historians who work so hard to bring history to life. (Applause)

Once a year, the President hosts a reception like this and he speaks much about the newly refurbished, or restored artifcats aquired over the years. Tonight, I am very peased to thank designer Bill Hickman, a very good friend of ours, for helping me liven up the Family Dining Room, with a new wall paper, and rug. And of course the new colour scheme in the now renamed, Blue Office. (applause) We also want to thank Hickman for doing up our home, our private home here in Metro. It is indeed a georgous place.

This historical assocation plays the most vital role in the non political Chateau and that is to keep the institution of the Presidency alive. It is the very cause you all work for that brings everything to place. And tonight I present a toast to you all.

(A toast is offered)

Thankyou and have a very most wonderful evening.
(applause)

END