At least one or two of you may know me.In case you don't,I am Aidan Work from the Dominion of New Zealand.My interest in monarchy dates from an early age,as I was appointed a Six Leader in the Cub Scouts in Fordell,which is located near my home town of Wanganui,which is rightfully the most Royalist town in the entire Dominion.In 1995,I became involved in opposing an illegal occupation of Moutoa Gardens (which is a public park in Wanganui) by Maori Nationalists who camped there for 80 days.As a reward for my fierce loyalty,I became a constitutional ally to Sir Michael Hardie-Boys,who became Governor-General of the Dominion in 1996,after being presented to him at a charity function for the Nelson Mandela Trust at Government House here in Wellington.
Since retiring in 2001,former Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie-Boys & I still remain friends.Although we don't see one another,I always send him a card for his birthday & one for Christmas.He usually reciprocates.Even now,he still regards me very highly,especially in terms of constitutional matters.He & I disagree on some things,but he knows where I am coming from.
Wanganui has a very strong royal & viceregal association,as Prince Edward (now the Earl of Wessex) taught at Wanganui Collegiate School in the early 1980's.
The late Lord Porritt (1900 - 1994) was New Zealand's first native-born Governor-General (as Sir Arthur Porritt) from 1967 until 1972.I am very proud of the fact that he was born in Wanganui.
The nephew of the last Rajah of Sarawak (Sir Charles Vyner Brooke),Antony Brooke,who was the Raja Muda prior to 1946,when Sarawak was ceded to the Crown as a colony,has now retired to Wanganui.
My family & friends tell me that I am the closest thing to a Governor-General that they have,as I am fiercely protective of my viceregal links.They can understand why I am so fiercely anti-republican to the hilt.
Although I was a constitutional ally to Sir Michael Hardie-Boys,I was only ever asked to see him whenever the need arose,so,unfortunately for me,I never got to meet any members of the Royal Family.I've also never met any Maori Chiefs either.
Since retiring as a constitutional ally to former Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie-Boys,I have been busy working in the numismatic trade.In addition to this,I am very passionate about coins & banknotes.Naturally,I specialise in collecting those from British Commonwealth countries,including Ireland & Zimbabwe.Mozambican & Cameroonian items I am not interested in,as they're really foreign countries,not worthy of being in the British Commonwealth.
Aidan.
hope you enjoy being in the forums and be active and we all hope to interact with you guys here. and if you're worried about your english, don't worry, we're willing to help you.
