Valued couple awarded life membership of RSA

Devonport couple Howard and Joy Mace have been made life members of the local RSA for their hard work and advocacy in more than a decade of active membership.

“Over that relatively short period, they have made an enormous contribution to the organisation,” said Mike Wardlaw, who nominated them for the honour. “Both are passionate about the RSA and continue to spend a significant amount of their own time serving and advocating on behalf of the organisation in a variety of ways.”

Howard served as Devonport RSA secretary in 2015-16 as well as being on its executive up to 2018, when he became president for three years. During that time, he initiated and oversaw a refurbishment of facilities at the Victoria Rd clubrooms, and improved its organisation and strategic direction, leading to the appointment of a part-time manager. This had helped the RSA to develop in keeping with the times.

Wardlaw said Howard was widely recognised in the community, where he was a strong advocate of the RSA, through his involvement in Rotary, golf and the Devonport Business Association. He had represented Devonport RSA on numerous occasions, including at Navy events, to the RSA’s national council and at Auckland District level.

“But what makes Howard and Joy unique is the unrecognised work that they both do behind the scenes,” Wardlaw said. “Joy, in particular has ruled the kitchen for many years, organising catering of all descriptions as well as always undertaking the hard yards, arriving early, preparing lavish spreads and then selflessly cleaning up on completion, often with her only helper being Howard.”

She also volunteered to help members in a range of activities and, like Howard, was a great RSA advocate through her community connections.

From staffing the bar, to mowing strips of lawn on Windsor Reserve, the couple willingly pitched in as needed to help with a myriad of tasks. They were the RSA’s “Tiger Team”, said Wardlaw, being available at short notice, hardworking, dependable and strongly committed to the RSA. They exemplified and practised the values and traditions of the Devonport RSA, he said.

The organisation’s annual meeting supported their life membership. Muzz Kennett was re-elected as president.