To listen to the MUSICAL accompaniment to this page, click on the GLOBE above  MARGRAVES GULGOWSKI-DOLIWA
The State Coat of Arms of New Zealand
New Zealand is probably one of the best-kept last secrets in the world. Its mountains, valleys, lakes, meandering roads under exotic trees and mystical birds are even more impressive and enchanting than portrayed in the movie legacies of the Ring Trilogy and the final King-Kong film of Hollywood fame. The vessel on which part of the "Big Ape" motion picture was produced, still takes an extensive nap from its arduous filming experience in Wellington harbor today.
Two 747 Jumbo Jet loads of people in rapid succession spilling out onto the New Zealand country side were, thank God, not enough to inundate this beautiful land and its picturesque towns and elegant capital city.
However, only one impression clearly outranked the serenity of the breathtaking New Zealand countryside, and that was the instantaneous, heart-warming kindness of its inhabitants, in particular the open-arm reception at the Auckland International Airport
by Chev. Basil Count Subritzky-Kusza and later the equally friendly welcoming embrace by his delightful wife Dame Elizabeth Mary Countess Duder-Subritzky in their twelve-column front neo-colonial mansion near the pristine shores of the Pacific Ocean, which never unleashes its harshness on this paradiselike setting, because it is sheltered by an interlocking chain of barrier islands, the most formidable one being Waiheke.
Rising early in the morning in this type of a serene environment while watching a flock of mysterious black birds stalking for food in the evergreen meadows surrounding this divine corner of God's creation alone, was worthwhile the enormous journey from Wisconsin, U.S.A., to the New Zealand Islands, still further southeast than the Australian continent. We had arrived at a place where the mild winds gently moved tall palm trees, where the land, the ocean, the sky and the clouds cooperated with one another in nearly perfect harmony. Having spoken about movies before, Magnum P.I. could have also been filmed here and all television viewers would certainly not have minded. And those who have chosen this plot of land as their final resting place could not be more at peace. The tranquility here is unmatched when compared to most other places in the world today.
Basil and Paul, both being mariners, had much in common, especially the ocean, ships, wind and weather. Basil had served the maritime shipping needs of a galaxy of 40 islands that surround the principal northern island of New Zealand for many decades, basically transporting everything from sacks of cement, fleets of trucks to entire buildings, including at least one church.
The investiture ceremony of the Order of St. Stanislas, Grand Priory of New Zealand, took place on 26 May, 2007, at the Catholic Cathedral of The Holy Spirit on Broadway in Palmerston North. This immaculate white religious edifice dominates the Palmerston North skyline and reminds, at least the local people, of a wedding cake-like romantic church. We thought it to be a gorgeous place of worship and spiritual contemplation.
H.E. Chev. Philip Baron Sherry, JP, GCCStS, serves as Grand Prior of the New Zealand Grand Priory, who possessed a sovereign dignity paralleled by only few, something one might expect only from a seasoned newscaster like him. He is affectionately called the Walter Cronkite of New Zealand.
From left to right: Kevin, Father Sherry, Grand Prior Sherry, young Isaac and Michael during the initial phases of the investiture. (As guests in New Zealand we were especially appreciative by the presence of the U.S. flag that may be observed in the background.)
Next to the beautiful atmosphere of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, this photograph shows all adult promotees of the Order and also newly inducted members. They are Chev. Keith Stuart Mann, MNZM, and Dame Lois (Claire) Stewart, QSO, JP, wearing lighter red mantles. The Chevalier and the Dame at the extreme right corner of this photograph are members of the esteemed Order of St. Lazarus, who attended our investiture services as a rather sizable contingent from the Auckland Commandery under the leadership of Chev. Snow Natusch, Bailiff, KCLJ, etc. Their combined presence demonstrated the inter-Order cooperation between chivalric organizations on the New Zealand islands on behalf of the needy.
In the left front third of this photograph, please note two Dames of the Order of St. Stanislas wearing their artful Polish national costumes underneath their mantles.
This photograph shows members of the officiating party to include Father Thomas Sherry, as Dame Subritzky-Kusza is accepted into RCST.
From left to right: Dame Izabella Leokadia Countess Helon-Zielinski de Doliwa, Chev. George Count Helon-Zielinski de Doliwa, Chev. Kevin D. Couling, Esq.
The General Prior and his family: Wife, Lynnette; daughter, Juanita; son, Miguel. The children impressed by being exceedingly well behaved and charming.
All participants of the combined St. Stanislas and St. Teotonio ceremonies with their guests from the Order of St. Lazarus assembled in the rustic halls of the Rydges Coachman Hotel in Palmerston North to celebrate their acceptance and/or promotions into two world-renowned chivalric organizations. With traditional old-English charm and warmth, it was just the perfect place to cater this truly noteworthy event.
Food and drinks were outstanding. Here, too, congratulations are in order to the organizers and hosts of this most festive and memorable event. This high praise naturally includes the skillful staff of the Rydges Coachman Hotel. Without a doubt, at least to our palates, they served the best food in all of New Zealand.
The table round is engaged in amicable talks. The lady in the center, not previously mentioned, is Dame Jane Seccombe. Juanita is flirting with the photographer.
These three traditional Polish noblemen met for the first time in person during the Palmerston North investiture. They embraced each other and instantaneously enjoyed each other's trusted company with highly intellectual, sometimes controversial conversations. Only one other person could have enhanced this challenging discourse, and that person would have been Chev. Commander Valery Yegorov, GCStS, etc., who, regretfully,
could not attend.
The last Subritzky, we absolutely do not wish to withhold from our readership, is Bombardier Daniel Count Subritzky, CStS (with sword), a true hero in his own right, as the medals on his chest prove without a doubt. His family is rightfully proud of him. Being an old soldier myself, I found great delight in chatting with Dan. May the Lord bless him during his exploits for God, Queen and Country.
Last, but definitely not least, the third individual of the triumvirate of giants of chivalry and nobility in Australia/New Zealand is without doubt our
dear and dependable friend Kevin. We are not bashful to admit that without him, his many telephone calls to the U.S. and his guidance while we were in New Zealand, our stay down under would not have been as enjoyable as it ended up to be. Thank you, dear and good friend!
The largest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere, the Central Government Civil Service Building, topped by the Royal Coat-of-Arms of Her Britannic Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, also Queen of New Zealand.
No, it's not a castle of doom out of Ring trilogy, but a building called the beehive, where modern-day government work is done.
Over our lifetime, we have been guests in many world-renowned cities. However, nowhere was admittance to museums absolutely free of charge, allowing classes of school children to receive the closest history education imaginable. Being avid readers, we were astonished by the many well-stocked bookstores Wellington has to offer. These businesses do financially well, because as we could witness firsthand, there was no shortage of customers.
Everywhere one travels in New Zealand and walks in Wellington, one encounters monuments, dedicated to its fighting men and women. New Zealand's soldiers, sailors and airmen remain unforgotten. This was a gratifying feeling for an old soldier like myself.
New Zealand also has not forgotten U.S. Marines who came on shore to defend this island kingdom against Japanese aggression during World War II.
Polish children were welcomed to the peace and tranquility of these islands, while Europe went up in flames during World War II.
Heide in front of the Pamir memorial. The Pamir was a German sailing instruction and wheat transportation vessel, belonging to post World War II Germany.
When she sunk with all hands lost in the Atlantic en route from Argentina to Germany, she, too, was commemorated on Wellington's shoreline, because during World War II she had been kept there as a war price, rendering many transport services for New Zealand during her captivity.
This monument is dedicated to the First People of New Zealand. The Maori are an unchallenged, integral part of New Zealand's society.
Storm clouds grow on the horizon. While it's summer in Wisconsin, winter is knocking on New Zealand's doors.
All rights reserved • Copyright © 2006 by Commodore Dr. Paul Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa • |
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