The Last Word

By Harry Bezett | Posted: Monday March 10, 2025

It’s a privilege to stand here before you today. In this speech, I want to talk about two qualities that will define not just your time here at Otago Boys', but the rest of your lives: resilience and courage.

Firstly, I will start with resilience. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? Resilience is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. Resilience is the ability to get back up when life knocks you down or when something doesn't go your way. There will be times when you want to give up, whether it's because of a poor academic performance, a setback in sports, or something far more serious in life.

But success isn’t about avoiding failure. It’s about how you respond to it. The most successful people in the world aren’t the ones who have never failed; they’re the ones who refused to stay down. Every All Black, every world-class businessperson, every great leader you admire, at some point, they’ve all faced failure. But what sets them apart is their ability to push through it.

Resilience is built through experience. Every challenge, every setback, every moment when things don’t go your way - it’s an opportunity to grow. The question isn’t whether you’ll face obstacles; the question is, how will you respond?

In December last year, I was hit with glandular fever. That meant I couldn’t attend the Mainland Basketball camp in Christchurch, or compete in the Gillette Cup, two events I had worked tirelessly for all year. It was a tough pill to swallow. But in that moment, I had two choices: dwell on what I had lost or find the courage to move forward.

Resilience meant accepting the setback, even though it was disappointing. Courage meant shifting my focus, looking for new opportunities, and refusing to let one obstacle define me. Life will always throw challenges our way, but it’s how we respond that truly shapes us.

And that brings me to courage. Courage isn’t just about running into battle or standing up to a bully. It’s about making the tough decisions when it would be easier to say nothing or walk away. It’s about standing up for your mates, speaking out when something isn’t right, and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

Courage is walking into an exam you feel unprepared for and giving it your best anyway. It’s putting your hand up in class even when you’re not 100% sure of the answer. It’s having the guts to say, “I need help” when you’re struggling. And yes, sometimes it’s even about making the right call when your mates are pressuring you to do something you know isn’t right. That takes real courage.

So why do resilience and courage matter? Because life isn’t easy. The world outside these walls isn’t always fair, and you won’t always get what you want. But those who succeed—the ones who build great careers, strong relationships, and meaningful lives—are the ones who learn to adapt, persevere, and face challenges head-on.

Right now, you’re at a stage where you’re shaping the man you’ll become. Every time you push through difficulty, every time you stand up for yourself or others, every time you refuse to quit—you’re building the character that will define you for the rest of your life.

So, I challenge you: Be resilient. Be courageous. Whether it’s on the field, in the classroom, in your friendships, or in life, face every challenge with the mindset that you will overcome it.

Lastly, I will end with a quote, “Resilience is a choice. It’s choosing to rise above your circumstances, no matter how difficult, and become the person you’re meant to be” - David Goggins.