'Lets learn from Sir Edmund' says mayor

Palmerston North Mayor, Jono Naylor, is looking to mark the passing of one of New Zealand greatest identities, Sir Edmund Hillary, in an appropriate way.

He is recommending that Palmerston North people stop what they are doing for a few moments during the state funeral for Sir Edmund on Tuesday, January 22, to reflect on his life and how they will respond to it.

“While it’s important for us to do this as a mark of respect, I’m suggesting we take our moment of silence one step further,” Jono Naylor says.

“Sir Edmund was someone who didn’t look for the limelight but let his actions speak for themselves.

“There are aspects of his life we can all learn from and it seems to me he would be more honoured if we took up the challenges that are presented to us than by simply remembering how great he was.” 

Jono Naylor says Sir Edmund was undoubtedly someone who believed in making his life count for something and someone who made a positive contribution to the world around him. Something we can all aspire to he says.

“I’m suggesting that while we take a moment to remember the life of Sir Edmund, we also reflect on what we can do to positively influence our community and the world,” he comments.

Another opportunity for people to identify with the life of Sir Edmund is to sign the book of condolence at the City Council’s Customer Service Centre and to view Antarctic - The Big Ice exhibition at Te Manawa which provides photographic and video footage about him.

The President of Local Government New Zealand, Basil Morrison, says Sir Edmund will be revered by people the length and breadth of New Zealand. Our communities have lost a great man, leader of the people and ambassador for New Zealand he says.

“We are honoured that many councils have opened books of condolence to enable everyone to pass on their messages of appreciation of Sir Edmund’s life to his family.”