On September 1st, 2010, The Taronga Foundation, one of BTG’s most beloved wildlife charities, celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a dinner to thank the tireless Governors and Patrons for their ongoing support. BTG, a founding Governor, was overseas this night and thus very sad not to be able to accept this special invitation, or agree to the organisers’ request to speak to the impressive assembly of honoured guests. However, determined not to disappoint those who have meant so much to him, BTG agreed to send a short address of thanks to be read out by the Taronga Foundation’s venerated Chairman, Dr Maurice Newman, AC, one of Australia’s most respected businessmen and philanthropists, and also one of BTG’s dearest friends. What follows is the transcript of BTG’s extraordinary remarks, as delivered with heroic deadpan by the august Maurice Newman, respected Chairman of both the ABC and the Australian Stock Exchange. This unlikely combination of dignity and fiendish wit was the hit of the night, and, when you read the script, it’s easy to see why this performance brought the house down

Read the speech here