In both addressing an audience of 170 and in answering questions on a variety of topics, Sir Jerry opened his heart to members and guests in a humble, candid 35 minutes in stage.
Sir Jerry spoke about his own values and what he hopes to leave as a legacy from his five years in the role. He then answered a variety of questions, ranging from the work of New Zealand peace-keeping forces around the world (“you only have to look in the children’s eyes to see just how valued our forces are”), his own children’s reaction to him being the Governor-General to his current reading and music tastes.
His Excellency also discussed what he and Lady Janine would do once his term ended in August next year – most probably time overseas – but deftly declined to talk about the flag referendum and the ISIS issue.
Confirmed speakers for the 2016 Club Otago programme are Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, Australian author and raconteur Peter FitzSimons and Dean ‘Rocket’ Hall, the Dunedin-born creator of some of the world’s most popular video games.