RSA Spring 2014

SPRING 2014

PORTRAIT PROJECt Looking at a portrait of himself is former British Merchant Navy man Donald Highland, 87, from Otaki. His photo at the Otaki RSA is part of a wider nationwide photography project on World War II veterans. Story and photos page 10.

News

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Remembering

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RSA Life

Photo: Athol Corbett

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What’s New

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Chch Memorial RSA rises from ruin

World War I display opens in Dunedin

Club beats licence impasse

Personal stories bring book to life

Nearly four years after it was destroyed by the earthquake the Chch Memorial RSA is due to open its new building on Feb 17 2015.

A new WWI display has been opened at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin as part of nationwide commemorations.

Paraparaumu RSA has overcome a deadlock around stringent council rules on special licences for the club.

Rampant Dragons traces the development and experiences of a NZ armoured force through until the end of WWII.

Visit us online at www.rsa.org.nz | www.facebook.com/RSANational | https://twitter.com/RSA_National

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RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

News The official publication of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association Volume 90 No.3 Spring 2014 Published September 15, 2014

In this issue 02 News 06 National 10 Families 16 Remembering 24 Lost Trails 27 Health/Well-Being 32 What’s New 34 Classifieds For RSA Review enquiries and subscriptions, contact: RSA Review PO Box 27 248, Wellington 6141 Phone 04 384 7994 Fax 04 385 3325 rsareview@rsa.org.nz www.rsa.org.nz Last Post, What’s On and Lost Trails are placed in RSA Review as a free service.

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RNZRSA accepts no responsibility for loss of manuscripts or photos.

RUATORIA: GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME Karen Phelps

Things are done a little differently on the East Cape. Time perhaps moves a little slower and when change happens, ideas are often hatched over a pint with the bros.

“We’re in a bit of a time warp here,” says Ruatoria RSA secretary Alexander Reedy.

The new Ruatoria RSA (and ‘new’ means it actually opened to the public several years ago, but is still awaiting its official opening) could be seen as a triumph of small-town New Zealand.

Rather than closing because its building had fallen into disrepair and membership was declining, a small group of dedicated Ruatoria RSA members decided it was time to build a new building – and set about working out how to make it happen.

“The floor had a lean on it, so you walked in and by the time you got to the back, you were almost running,” says Reedy. “That’s how bad it was.”

The old RSA hadn’t had a permanent liquor licence for many years, and it was a stern word from the local police sergeant that provided the kick up the pants locals needed to get the RSA back on track.

“We were sitting having a pint when the sergeant came in and said, ‘Close the joint up, you don’t have a licence’,” says Reedy. “We told him we’d finish our drinks first, but he told us to tip them out. So we locked him out and finished up.”

Afterwards, walking up the road to the local hotel, Reedy and mate Eru Paenga (now the RSA president), both Korean vets, and associate member Wilson Kaihe decided a new RSA was the answer to their problems. There was just the small issue of how to raise half a million dollars to fund it.

That was in the early 1980s, and once again time moved slowly to initiate change. By 2000 when the sergeant had tired of the RSA’s series of temporary liquor licences that never seemed to become a permanent licence, the three men received their second kick up the pants to get them moving again.

They applied for and secured the first $30,000 of funding through the Eastern and Central Community Trust. They then had to begin taking things more seriously, apply for resource consents and come up with building plans. A local builder was called in and told that if they liked what he came up with, he could build it. The plans were approved and fundraising began in earnest.

A series of government-funded wanangas

Grog money goes to good cause Aaron Horrell, from Grunts Grog, hands both Alan Day, from the New Zealand Fallen Heroes’ Trust, and Wendy Clarke, on behalf of the RSA, a $1200 cheque from Grunt’s Grog.

The money has been raised from sales of Grunt’s Grog port and craft lager. Horrell served in Afghanistan with the Task Unit Crib 20 New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team Bamiyam. He lost friends when five soldiers were killed and six injured.

The port arose when Horrell and a group of military mates on a hunting trip in Southland got thinking about how they could help the families of those friends.

The Fallen Heroes Trust raises money to support the families of soldiers killed or injured while serving New Zealand since 1999.

Top: Eastern Institute of Technology carpentry design team (from left): Tereora Tapaitau, Major Puoto, project manager Alex Reedy and Lynn Kururangi. Bottom: The new Ruatoria RSA building completed in 2012.

(publicly owned tertiary institutions that provide education in a Maori cultural context) were held at the RSA, serving the dual purpose of teaching locals about aspects of Maori culture as well as raising money to build the new RSA. There were raffles and stalls, and the Lotteries Commission came up with a good portion of the money needed.

The new building was constructed over a few years and completed in 2012.

Reedy says the focus is not on alcohol and the RSA doesn’t offer gaming machines.

“Our emphasis is on food and entertainment. You look at the damage gambling does to the community. We don’t go that way.”

The Ruatoria RSA has a restaurant that seats 200 and serves local delicacies such as crayfish.

The RSA now has a healthy membership of around 200 and Reedy admits it’s a relief that the hard work of fundraising and building is over.

“It’s there for the community – treat it well and enjoy what we’ve got,” he says. “We’re all volunteers (running the RSA). It comes from the heart.”

News

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

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New scooters add zip to RSA FLEET Cathy Asplin, Te Awamutu Courier The Te Awamutu RSA has added two new mobility scooters to its ‘fleet’ of 10. The new scooters replace two older models, says the RSA’s welfare support person, Irene Wardlaw.

“All of the mobility scooters are available to people in need within the RSA – whether they’re veterans, service members or associate members.

Each person is assessed and, if they meet the guidelines, they are put on the waiting list.

“When one becomes available they are provided with a mobility scooter at no cost.

Some people need them for only a short time, perhaps because of surgery or illness, while others need them longer term.”

The two latest recipients – service member Neil Sager and veteran Ian Stuart – both say the mobility scooters are wonderful and provide valuable independence, as they no longer drive. “We go all round town on the scooters – shopping, to medical appointments and, of course, to the RSA,” says Neil Sager. Ian Stuart adds that the RSA is “looking after their own’ by providing the mobility scooters. Without them he would be “stuck at home” or relying on others.

HMS Eagle correction In our story (RSA Review, winter 2014) on Joe Pedersen Royal Navy experiences during World War 2, he referred to the torpedoing and sinking of the battleship HMS Eagle in the Mediterranean.

However, regular reader R.F.Newman FX 562683 has emailed to tell us that the Eagle was, in fact, a fleet aircraft carrier sunk in August 1942 while escorting a convoy to Malta during Operation Pedestal. We apologise for the error and thank Mr Newman for correcting it.

Veteran Ian Stuart (left) and service manager Neil Sager on their new RSA scooters with Te Awamutu RSA welfare support person Irene Wardlaw. Photo: Cathy Asplin

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4 News

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

cITY’S NEW rsa RISES UP, REACHES OUT

By Karen Phelps After the February 22 earthquake in 2011 the Christchurch Memorial RSA building was split into four pieces. Now, nearly four years later and after a long battle with the insurance company, the RSA is completing its brand new premises.

“After the earthquake we were shell-shocked.

It was devastating to walk in there. There were cracks in the wall a foot wide with sunlight coming through, floors split and antique billiard tables with broken legs,” remembers Christchurch Memorial RSA president Peter Dawson.

Post-earthquake it took the RSA a month to find temporary office premises in Sydenham and members migrated to other RSAs in the city to meet their social needs. With over 200 members aged over 90 years old, support was paramount says Dawson, keeping Christchurch Memorial RSA support adviser Tau Sheehan run off her feet.

“The key thing for us has been the members and their welfare. A new RSA building was key to get the members back in a home again,” says Dawson.

The damage to the RSA was so bad that the building had been yellow stickered, which meant that access to the building was only possible under strict supervision. The RSA managed to get approval from the insurance company to recover memorabilia, including murals by Canterbury painter William Sutton worth $1.2m, which fortunately received little damage. The collection is now in storage and is being catalogued as the RSA lost many of its records during the disaster.

Battles for two years with the insurance company followed to get the main building claim resolved when an assessor was adamant that the severely damaged building could be repaired. The insurance company didn’t count on the tenacity of the Christchurch Memorial

RSA though, which took on the company head on by threatening to publicise its plight with other RSAs both in New Zealand and across the Tasman. This prompted the Australian general manager of the insurance company to get on a plane and come to visit the RSA himself.

“He took one step inside the door and said ‘this can’t be repaired’ and within days we had the money,” says Dawson.

In January this year work began on a new building on the Armagh Street site.

Designed by Warren and Mahoney and built

by Fletcher Construction Dawson says the entire team has been incredibly supportive.

“We’re only signing the building contacts now and the building is half finished. There’s a lot of trust,” says Dawson. “Everyone has taken on the iconic nature of the RSA and they’ve helped keep in our budget and save costs wherever possible.”

The $6.4m two-storey building with a 1500 square metre footprint is something new for the RSA movement. It has been specifically designed to reach out to members of the general public.

“Downstairs will be a licensed bar and restaurant which will be open to the public. Upstairs will be a club bar and function area and will also house our administration,” says Dawson.

“We’d been looking at the re-branding the organization has been doing and the thread seemed to be that the RSA needs to reach out to the community and be inclusive not exclusive.

“We want to be a part of the community in Christchurch because the city needs organisations to support the people. We’ve learned that through the earthquakes.

“We’re trying to find a way we can be closer to the community and the community can be a part of us.” Memorabilia will Frontage of the Christchurch Memorial RSA’s new $6.4m building (top) and the old Armagh St frontage (bottom). The new 1500 square metre building is scheduled to open on February 17, 2015.

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be displayed throughout the building: “We’re the guardians of it but everyone is entitled to see their military history. The people of Christchurch can enjoy their heritage because it was hard fought for,” explains Dawson.

The building has been set back 18 metres from the street to allow space for a memorial courtyard, which will include eleven eight-metre high columns symbolizing the signing of the Armistice on the eleventh hour of 11-11-1918.

The two boundary walls will include eight bronze wall plaques from the old Christchurch Technical College remembering students who lost their lives in both world wars, a water feature symbolizing the Avon River and its links to the local Ngai Tahu and a wall of remembrance.

As the $2.5m insurance payout left a significant shortfall the RSA has partly met this by selling off some of its land and plans to fundraise. Part of this is an initiative where members of the public can donate $500 towards the building fund by buying a marble plaque for a veteran

who fought and lost their lives to be placed on the RSAs eastern wall of remembrance.

The RSA has been researching veterans for the public to ‘adopt’ or the public may have a family member who they wish to buy a plaque for, says Dawson.

Dawson admits that it has been challenging to keep the RSA’s membership together during the past few years but support from other local RSAs has been key.

With the new building due to open on February 17, 2015 the Christchurch RSA is looking forward to having a new home after so many years of dislocation.

The event will be made even more significant by the fact that Christchurch Memorial RSA was the first RSA formed in New Zealand on 22 December 1915 by the first wounded soldiers who returned from Gallipoli.

“It will open almost four years to the day that it got knocked down. We’re looking at having a big hooley when that happens.”

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RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

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Innovation inspires poppy-making robot

By Karen Phelps Sometimes competition brings innovation and the reinstatement of the contract to manufacture the iconic red poppy to the Christchurch Memorial RSA is a case in point.

After 83 years of manufacturing the poppies and distributing them nationally the RSA lost the poppy contract three years ago when it headed to an overseas competitor. Since then the RSA has spent the time finding a new way to manufacture the poppies to keep costs down. The result is a poppy-making robot, which the RSA has developed in conjunction with advice from the University of

He said `I reckon we could make a bloody machine to do that.’ So we did.

Canterbury and local engineers and consultants.

Christchurch Memorial RSA president Peter Dawson says the idea for the robot was suggested by member and mechanical engineer Alan Cairns over a few drinks at the RSA one night.

“He said ‘I reckon we could make a bloody

machine that will do that’. So we did.”

The robotic machine takes the roll of red material, stamps out the poppy shape then automatically places a green stem, label and black button which is then punched into place. The process takes just three seconds. The machine will churn out 1m-1.25m poppies per year. The poppies will proudly include the ‘Made in New Zealand’ logo now that the product has become registered with that trademark.

The Christchurch Memorial RSA has been awarded the contact for 2014-2019.

“For the past three years we’ve been plotting and planning and we blew the socks off the foreign

competitor,” he says proudly stating that the poppies manufactured by the Christchurch Memorial RSA are around 15% cheaper.

It is the same tenacious attitude which has seen the RSA recover in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake which destroyed its building. Dawson admits losing the poppy contract was a double whammy but with recent developments and the construction of new premises well underway the road to recovery is imminent.

“We’re nothing if not innovative at the Christchurch Memorial RSA. It’s amazing what you can do if you need to.”

RSA Idol competition mushrooms

By Karen Phelps It started as a bit of fun at the Avondale RSA but after a decade the RSA Idol competition has got so popular that four RSAs are now involved and entrants are becoming increasingly competitive, says Louise Ockey, secretary manager for Avondale RSA in Auckland.

The competition, which is only open to amateurs, was started by Avondale RSA many years ago after the RSA got inspired by seeing similar competitions on television. Last year Henderson RSA and Glen Eden RSA joined in to create a West RSA Idol competition. This year New Lynn RSA came on board and the West Auckland RSAs are now considering the possibility of a West Auckland versus South Auckland competition next year as the popularity of the event continues to grow.

This year’s competition commenced on July 5 with heats at each of the participating RSAs followed by two semi-finals then the grand final

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held at Avondale RSA on August 16. Sixteen competitors fought it out for the highly coveted first place with Josephine Pirihi finally taking the honour and a cash prize of $1000 as judges noted her infectious personality onstage as she performed.

Second place was awarded to Sommer Martin who judges found to have a lovely voice and style onstage as she belted out If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys and No One Else on Earth

by Wynonna Judd. Third place went to Kayla Uili for her rendition of It Only Happens by Renee Geyer and All I Could do was Cry by Etta James. The Secretary Managers Choice award went to Micah Temu who proved a real crowd pleaser as she sang Mustang Sally and also The Manhattans’ Kiss and Say Goodbye.

“It’s absolutely amazing over the years seeing the singers get better and better,” says Ockey who says each year the competition

To page 7

Josephine Pirihi (right) celebrates after winning the $1000 cash prize at the RSA Idol competition at Avondale RSA.

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RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

National

Review papers need your consideration AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE INDEPENDENT TASK FORCE This country and others have pledged over the next five years to commemorate the fateful events of 1914-1919. And only two years from now we shall also be honouring those who, a full century ago, founded the Returned Soldiers Association, forerunner of the RNZRSA. They had seen the need to stand guard over proper remembrance of those who had lost their lives in war. In a war-weary nation they also saw the need to ensure that their comrades who had survived the battlefields, and the bereaved, were accorded a fair deal for the damage that had been done to them. With remarkable foresight, they had pledged commitment both to the past and to the future.

That same two-edged commitment endures today. A hundred years on, however, the challenges we face in fulfilling it have changed.

Can we now rely upon arrangements that are essentially the same as they were when it took several days to get from Dunedin to Wellington by coastal vessel; when there were few telephones, no public radio, no television and certainly no email? Or is it now time to re-shape ourselves for what is a greatly more complicated and much faster-moving world?

The idea that a comprehensive review is necessary has been around for some time. The prospect was well covered in the President’s address on strategy immediately preceding last year’s AGM. To help find answers, a subsequent and sometimes tense business session at National Council expressly directed that: “... to correct the outstanding management and governance weaknesses there be established an independent Review Task Force that will examine the issues from first principles and in detail, will fully consult with the membership in the process, and will propose a range of improvements for consideration and implementation at National Council 2014.”

Clearly, RNZRSA members-in-Council as our highest authority had accepted that governance problems do exist and need to be corrected. But

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this was not to be a search for faults from the past; rather a search for lasting fixes for the future.

The AGM went on to appoint Mr Robin Klitscher to “co-ordinate and set up” the review, now known as the Independent Task Force (ITF).

Three important points come out of this.

First, Council instructed the ITF to “examine the issues from first principles and in detail” - in effect, don’t try to patch what exists, but take a clean sheet of paper and start again. Second, the review would be independent of all other influences including the present administration.

Third, the ITF would report back to Council 2014 direct. Any decisions would then be taken, not by the NEC, nor the Districts, nor any other intermediary, but by the members – the owners – at the next AGM. On 16 July after many months of work, ITF Bulletin 6 was issued to all Associations, Affiliates and Life Members. Attached were eleven papers including an Executive Summary and the diagram you see with this article. They described a thoroughly considered way ahead for the RNZRSA. If you haven’t had the opportunity to study and consider them, you should ask your President or members of your Executive for the material.

Some might be tempted to think “this doesn’t really touch my RSA down the road, so why bother ploughing through such dense and boring stuff?”

Ah, but it does affect your RSA. Very much so.

If national governance isn’t fully up to snuff with modern commercial and institutional practice, our collective voice will be weakened at all levels, including local. This will dishonour the trust of those from the past whose remembrance we must guard. And it will fail our obligations to veterans present and future.

In summary, the papers recommend: • a smaller, skills-based Board to take care of the business side; • alongside it, a Forum chaired by the President comprising the two VicePresidents, the eight District Presidents and the Maori ex-Service representative to see to the representative and membership side including a guard over remembrance and all that flows from it; also advocacy and veterans’ welfare; • the eight Districts to remain as they are, though with clearer roles and responsibilities; • for increased effectiveness including load-sharing and clear distinction between governance and representation, the roles of Board Chair and National President to be separated; • the Chief Executive to report to the Board Chair; • the National President to attend Board To page 7

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RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Task Force Papers: your comments please – we’re listening From page 6 meetings with speaking rights but not voting rights – thus empowering his/her overall leadership role free of the restrictions of Board collective responsibility, and emphasising his/ her role as the balancing arm between Board and independent Forum; • similarly the Board Chair to attend Forum meetings with speaking rights but not voting rights; • the adoption of a Board Charter, a skills template for Board members, guidance for Audit and Risk, a general Code of Conduct, and Rules changes to suit; • that the changes be formally reviewed after a full two years in place.

The left side of the diagram (at left) left shows the current arrangements in brief. Clear lines of governance, representation and management are not easy to see, and that’s the problem.

Under the reforms recommended on the right, we see governance functions and representation functions separated into distinct lines on the same organisational level. The National President would be the bridge between the two, this critical yet independent role very much enhancing his position and standing.

At the management level we are very conscious that the National Office staff have worked hard in a number of areas including communications, marketing, and joint business ventures to benefit members. An upgrade to the IT system is also in train; and disputed poppy manufacturing rights have been resolved. For these things and more the staff deserve great credit.

We firmly believe, however, that this degree of enterprise requires the best possible governance overwatch if its full potential is to be realised.

At present we have an executive committee that tries to blend governance with representation, which doesn’t always do justice to either; nor

We have kept you abreast of what we’re thinking.

We have invited your comments and views at every stage, as we were also instructed to do. We have done this face-toface in the field, and by Bulletin and email. The rest is over to you.

to member Associations as owners. The line depicting uncluttered governance oversight of management shown in the reform diagram is particularly vital.

We also acknowledge another reality – that the edges of governance, representation and management often overlap. And so the diagram places ultimate resolution of crossover challenges squarely where it belongs – at the level of the overlapping circles of Board, Forum and Council.

The ITF papers therefore deserve your careful consideration. This is the chance for member Associations to participate in establishing our place in 2014 and beyond in a way that has not been attempted since our founders first determined their place in the bygone world of 1916.

You have the choice of being counted by future history among those who embraced change at this critical point, or among those who blocked the opportunity.

We are committed to securing the future of the RNZRSA and the movement as a whole. We did not invent ourselves, nor did we set our own task. We have followed your instructions via Council resolutions methodically, and with open minds. As you wished, we have proceeded independently. You also made it plain that you expected results upon which the next AGM can decide. These are imperatives that none of us can afford to lose sight of.

We have kept you abreast of what we’re thinking. We have invited your comments and views at every stage, as we were also instructed to do.

We have done this face-to-face in the field, and

by Bulletin and email. The rest is over to you.

There is much more detail in the papers issued with ITF Bulletin 6 than can be covered in this article.

Please study them so that you are fully prepared for National Council in October. We all want an informed debate based on the facts, not a squabble fuelled by misunderstanding.

Meantime we’d very much welcome your comments, whether they be pro or con. Obviously we will have to freeze the package of our recommendations at some point but, equally obviously, it is the debate at Council that will determine their final shape.

You can mail your comments to: The Independent Task Force c/- Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association PO Box 27248 Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Or, if you prefer to contact us directly, you can email our separate address, rnzrsa.itf@gmail.com.

We’re listening.

Regional finalists to go to Gallipoli Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse has announced that all eight regional finalists of the 2015 ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition will be included in a group of 25 youth ambassadors commemorating the centenary of Anzac Day in Gallipoli.

In previous years the national winner of the competition has travelled to Gallipoli to represent New Zealand youth. RSA National President Don McIver says the decision to include the regional finalists recognises the calibre of the secondary school students who take part.

The competition, for year 12 and 13 students is a tribute to Cyril Bassett VC, the only New Zealander at Gallipoli to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Registrations for the 2015 competition will open in the last school term of this year. Regional finals are planned for early February with the national final taking place shortly after in Wellington.

Students will be asked to speak about `New Zealanders in World War One’. The national winner of the competition will perform their speech at the official Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli.

Idol talent galore From page 5 attracts singers who have entered previously.

“It’s a fun night and we get people coming in to cheer on their friends. I saw a lot of people in the RSA that I’ve never seen before.

“It’s about getting people to come through the door and see what the RSA is about and liking it. That’s the number one priority. We want people to see that the RSA is not just about old people – it’s about entertainment and having fun,” says Ockey.

8 National Office

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Meeting members who give so much high point of presidency Don McIver, RSA national president

On October 15 at National Council I will step down from the position of National President of the RSA after four years as your representative.

Inevitably there have been high points and low points, times of elation and times of depression, experiences to remember and to celebrate and experiences which I might like to forget. But the best part has been the opportunity to get out around the country, to visit RSAs large and small and to meet the members who give so much of their time and effort to our great organisation.

I have met interesting and influential people, people with great stories to tell, people who freely, ungrudgingly and cheerfully give a large part of their lives to the service of their fellow veterans and to their wider community, people and families who face life issues, people who have been physically and mentally bruised in their faithful service to their country, people grappling with the loss of loved ones, people who just can’t get their voice heard.

What progress have I seen in my time? I have seen the outstanding strategy presentations prepared for us by Designworks aimed at redefining the RSA. They were exciting and innovative.

They not only gave us the new brand and the logo we sorely needed but more importantly a new, fully inclusive philosophy to go forward with. And it has been a successful launching pad. Now as I travel the country I am gratified to see our brand widely used out there and widely recognised by the community at large and to

As I leave, my hope is that you who are left take the RSA into the future with your minds firmly fixed on your purpose – to champion the Anzac Spirit today... see our RSAs “living the Anzac spirit in their community”. That’s real progress.

After a long and frustrating gestation I have seen the passage of the Veterans’ Support Act providing a new and modern basis for government support for today’s and tomorrow’s veterans, service personnel and their families.

Much has still to be done to put provisions in place for implementation but I am confident we will get an easily administered and benevolent regime for the support of all. The RSAs commitment in all matters relating to veterans’ support is central to our effective advocacy on their behalf. At last, we see some real progress.

During my period in office, I have participated in deeply moving commemorations of conflict in which our Armed Forces have been involved over our country’s relatively short history.

Undoubtedly the most moving and memorable would have been Anzac Day 2011 at Gallipoli.

Now we commemorate the centenary of World War 1 and look forward to our own RSA Centenary in 2016. We need to ensure we play our part as champions of our national military heritage and have the arrangements in place to do so.

That’s progress too.

As you all did, I suffered through the dramatically adverse financial situation we found ourselves in at the end of the 2013 financial year.

Alongside that there was the restructuring of the National Office and the inevitable disruption that came with it. It has been a hard task to drag the RSA back out from those events but we are getting there.

Thanks to the valiant efforts of many including the National Office staff our situation this year will be much more positive.

We have improved our revenue stream. We are offering opportunities for RSAs and our individual members to make real gains from

their membership from commercial partnerships and merchandising arrangements. We are progressing schemes to enhance membership, especially of younger service and ex-service personnel. Again, real progress.

And at this year’s National Council the Independent Task Force will present its report designed to correct the outstanding management and governance weaknesses of the RSA and will propose a range of improvements for consideration and implementation.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, which I have supported, to put aside the old, outdated approaches and to set the RSA up for its next 100 years. I will leave office in the hope that the outcome will be well considered and sensible and that the opportunity will be grasped willingly.

The RSA has always been a people organisation.

It is an iconic organisation founded in 1916 by our veteran forefathers to provide a place to gather together with their likeminded compatriots, to relive mutually shared experiences, to look after each other and to remember those who did not return with them. So it is today.

As I leave, my hope is that you who are left take the RSA into the future with your minds firmly fixed on your purpose, “to champion the Anzac Spirit today” and the values of compassion, comradeship, courage and commitment which are so much at the core of what we do and what we are. Look after it well and good luck to you all.

PROMISING NEW SHOOTS SPROUTING FROM THIS WINTER OF DISCONTENT David Moger, RSA chief executive

I’m writing this in mid-August and Wellington has just been hit by a storm that dumped hail on the city with a spectacular lightning strike on the Carillion and a second one that destroyed the zephyrometer out by the airport.

Heavy snow has effectively cut the North Island in half with the main routes between Auckland and Wellington closed. Ski fields across the country are finally getting the snow cover they have desperately needed, but for the rest of us the icy blast of winter has us huddled around our heaters, wanting hot, thick winter soups and thinking about holidays in the islands.

Winter seems set in and suddenly spring looks a long way away but in various parts of the country, for the RSA, it’s a different picture.

Over recent years, it’s been very sad to see a number of RSAs closing down, overwhelmed by the wintery blast of the Global Financial Crisis.

Yet now we can see shoots of new growth.

One example is Christchurch RSA which has started to rebuild, breaking ground on their project to build an innovative new RSA in the city centre. This is exciting and encouraging to see after the devastation that hit so many of our RSAs in Christchurch.

At the same time, we’ve recently welcomed the birth of a new RSA, re-established in Wainuiomata after the former RSA there was forced to close its doors in the face of poor trading conditions.

We’re also in conversations with groups in both

The east wing of the Christchurch Memorial RSA’s new building which is due to open early next year.

Palmerston North and Thames about re-creating RSAs in those areas. Winter might still have a sting in its tail but we can now actually see the green shoots of new growth appearing as spring signals its arrival.

This speaks to me of two things. Firstly, communities across New Zealand want to see RSAs in their midst. There is a sense that a community without an RSA is missing something. Our military heritage touches our lives today in such

a deep way that without a local RSA, somehow it’s just not quite right. I believe that’s why we are seeing new RSAs rising again to meet that need in our communities.

The second thing these new green shoots speak of to me, is the power of commitment.

Commitment is one of the four values we see at the heart of the Anzac spirit.

It’s the ability to get stuck in for the long haul, to use our determination, conviction and ability to achieve short term gains and long term benefits.

The RSA spirit and determination were forged in hard times and they’ll serve as the bedrock on which we’ll build our future and grow stronger communities for all Kiwis. We don’t roll over at the first obstacle but keep going, even when the going is tough. This is the value we see across New Zealand, when RSAs rebuild and reopen.

Values make a real and positive difference and I salute the commitment I see from Christchurch to Wainuiomata, Palmerston North to Thames and indeed right across our country as we live out the Anzac spirit.

It strikes me though that commitment needs encouraging and recognising, so when you see anyone showing that value, even when they can’t see any immediate outcomes, congratulate them and support them. New Zealand will be an even better place as a result.

10

News

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Portraits ‘hugely powerful’ An exhibition of portraits of most of New Zealand’s remaining World War 2 veterans is the hopedfor prize from an ambitious project by Kiwi photographers.

The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers has set out to make portraits of the country’s 3000-plus World War 2 veterans. More than 100 photographers across the country have volunteered their time and skills to complete the mission.

The NZIPP has gifted the collection to the RSA as a digital archive; all veterans photographed will be given a printed, presentation copy of their portrait.

RSA chief executive David Moger says the RSA will create a digital archive for veterans, families, communities and future generations.

The NZIPP and RNZRSA will also work up an exhibition proposal, which will then go to communities and arts organisations for their input and interest.

“A picture is worth a thousand words and thanks to NZIPP and the veterans who took part, we now have 1600 pictures telling individual stories of service, courage, character and life.

We’ll be working with the NZIPP to bring this collection to the public – not only through our digital archive, but through exhibitions and installations in communities around New Zealand.”

He describes the gifting of the images to the RSA and the veterans as an approach reflective of the project’s significance on both a personal and national level.

“Seeing veterans dressed in their medals put down their walking sticks and proudly rise to stand unassisted while their portrait is being taken is a hugely powerful moment. This project recognises each individual’s personal service and sacrifice, at the same time creating an archive of national significance for New Zealand.

The NZIPP’s commercial director and portraitproject national co-ordinator, Terry Hann, says most of the photographs were taken at RSAs across the country after Anzac Day, but photographers are still making portraits.

“We’ve got seven regional co-ordinators and more than 100 photographers volunteering. We

T he r e su lt i s mor e moving than we could have imag ined. The portraits are simple, but ex t raordinar ily powerful.

Event commemorates NZ lives lost in 1915 sinking of Marquette Thirty two New Zealanders, including 10 nursing sisters, 19 male Medical Corps staff and three soldiers, died when the transport ship Marquette was torpedoed by a German U boat in the Aegean Sea in 1915.

A total of 167 people died as a result of the attack. News of the losses sent shock waves through New Zealand which was still suffering heavy losses at Gallipoli.

Relatives of those who were on board the Marquette, returned servicemen and women, nurses, and those interested in the conservation of the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel in Christchurch, are invited to attend a special event commemorating the 99th anniversary of the Marquette sinking on Thursday 23 October 2014.

This event will be held in St Michael’s Church School Hall, Durham Street entrance between Oxford Terrace and Tuam Street, Christchurch, on Thursday 23 October 2014 at 4pm. A special commemorative rose – Class Act – will also be on sale.

The Friends of the Chapel are keen to contact descendants of those who died or survived the sinking of the Marquette in 1915 as they continue preparations to commemorate the centenary of the tragedy in October 2015.

If you are interested in attending the events in either 2014 or 2015, or want to receive more details or updates, please contact: Friends of the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel, PO Box 33357,Christchurch.

Email: cheryljenkins@solutionsandservices.co.nz Phone (03) 960 4688

Photos: Top – Jack Cursons, aged 94 from Waikanae, with his daughter Val Cains. Jack served with the 2nd Expeditionary Force, NZ Army and daughter Val travelled from Queensland to escort her dad to the exhibition. Bottom: Doreen Fisher, aged 92, and daughter Barbara Wymms, both from Paraparaumu. Doreen served with the RAF as a LACW Signals. Photos: Athol Corbett

encourage everyone who served during World War 2 or who have a family member who served, to contact one of our regional co-ordinators.”

He says many of the volunteer photographers have a family history of military service, and all of them respect and value the contribution World War 2 veterans made to our nation.

“We’re using our craft to remember and honour

them.” He says it has been quite an experience for the photographers too.

“They have been welcomed into RSAs, rest homes and family homes. We’ve met incredible people and heard some remarkable stories of war. The result is more moving than we could have imagined. The portraits are simple, but extraordinarily powerful.”

The memorial window in the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel which was built to commemorate three of the nurses killed when the Marquette was torpedoed by a German U Boat in the Aegean Sea in 1915.

‘Daughter of the Regiment’ bows out

Jean England presents Maj Simon Marriott with her cup in 2007.

Dorothy Jean England, who died recently in Townsville Hospital, Australia, had a lifelong link with the Waikato Mounted Rifles. When she was born on May 2, 1916 at the Ngaruawahia homestead of her parents, Thomas and Muriel, the Waikato regiment was in camp on the family farm.

Jean was awarded the title of ‘Daughter of the Regiment’ and was presented with an inscribed loving cup. Her father, Capt Paterson, left soon after she was born for overseas service.

In 1933 the then Lt Col Paterson VD (Volunteer Officers’ Decoration) was appointed commanding officer of the Waikato Mounted Rifles Squadron.

Jean nursed at Whakatane Hospital, then trained at Auckland Hospital, graduating in 1936, and nursing at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, Fiji during World War 2.

She later became sister-in-charge at the Auckland Blood Transfusion Service and worked under blood-transfusion pioneer John Staveley.

She married Bill England, a master mariner, in 1949. On moving to Australia, she joined the Red Cross in Brisbane and was offered a position to recruit panels of blood donors in every Queensland town.

Jean visited New Zealand 2007 and returned the loving cup to Maj Simon Marriott, officer commanding of the Waikato Mounted Rifles, and squadron life members at a ceremony in Hamilton.

She is survived by her sister, Norma Cooper, and brother, Bryce Paterson. Her other brother, Capt Thomas Paterson, a signal officer in 4 NZ Infantry Brigade, died of wounds in the Battle of Ruweisat Ridge on the night of July 15-16, 1942.

News 11

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

War graves project comes up trumps A request in the last RSA Review Lost Trails for someone to photograph a war grave in Italy has drawn a response from Dennis Boggs. He referred the enquirer to The War Graves Photographic Project, which had the wanted photo on file.

Dennis Boggs is a volunteer for the project, who has obtained the 39 war grave headstone photos in New Zealand’s far north. He has supplied the Review with information on the project.

Talk about aiming for the stars. What about the 1000-plus volunteers involved with The War Graves Photographic Project? They have set themselves the goal of photographing every war grave and memorial in the world. Their aim is to enable families and researchers to obtain, via the project website, a photograph of any grave or memorial.

Initially the project’s brief was confined to Commonwealth war graves, individual memorials, Ministry of Defence graves and family memorials of serving military personnel for World War 1 and World War 2.

But the scope has widened to include all nationalities and all military conflicts, and to make the photos available in a searchable database.

The Project has formed a joint venture with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and works with the Office of Australian War Graves, Canadian Veterans’ Affairs and the New Zealand Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

The Project website now contains well over 1.8 million images from 23,000 cemeteries or memorials in more than 150 countries. The website is directly linked to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s casualty pages.

Many societies and schools are have been using the facility to prepare exhibitions and local publications to remember the men and

The War Graves Photographic project now contains over 1.8 million images from 23,000 cemeteries.

women commemorated on local memorials, says Project co-ordinator Steve Rogers (who was 32 years in the Royal Navy).

He hopes many families will discover its vast archive and find relatives who may have faded into obscurity. A photograph or digital image can be provided, if wanted.

As he says, modern technology makes it is easy to plan a trip, book flights and hotels, and hire cars on the internet, but it’s often not so easy to do the same thing when planning to visit the grave of a family member. But identifying and confirming the grave’s location, planning

specific transport and accommodation, arranging specialist help for the elderly, and many other minor tasks can pose insurmountable problems.

The success rate is high, and the numerous letters of thanks are both poignant, heartwarming and in many instances heartbreaking, says Rogers. Steve’s wife, Sandra Rogers, is the requests and administration co-ordinator, and deals with requests on a daily basis.

Project volunteers come from all walks of life.

All they need, says Steve Rogers, is motivation, a digital camera and location data supplied by the co-ordinators.

Without doubt, the project owes its ultimate worth to modern technology: the facility to download from camera to computer to website with comparative ease and speed.

Photographing the Commission’s beautifully maintained war graves is one thing.

Tramping through the undergrowth of often neglected churchyards or vast cemeteries looking for a single – or scattered headstones – is another story altogether.

Information: Steve Rogers steve@twgpp.org; Sandra Rogers sandra@twgpp.org. www.twgpp.org

SEEN It ALL? Book now at: www.bluebridge.co.nz/RSA or call 0800 844 844

12

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Lost Trails Wanted: photographs, letters, postcards, medals, information relating to: Pte Albert Bert Curry 31231 , 2Bn Wellington Regt, died of wounds at Passchendaele on October 17, 1917, and his brothers (all of whom survived World War 1) - Pte Alfred Walter Curry, 52963, MM, 1Bn Otago Regt; Rman Frederick John Curry, 52964, 3Bn Rifle Bde; Pte William Charles Curry, 56567, 2Bn Wellington Regt. Contact: Paul, hotcurrytnz@ hotmail.com.

Records sought for John Henry McAvoy, a World War I soldier. He was born in Dannevirke and his name appears on the cenotaph database there. No records found of his death - he may have died in Australia.

Contact: Mary, kevinm2@xtra.co.nz.

Contact and/or information sought on descendants or family of Robert Hunt Currie. He was the son of John Hunt Currie and Helen Currie, of Ross, Westland, where his father was the proprietor of the Empire Hotel.

John and Robert Currie also had gold claims in the area. Robert’s brother, William Currie, lived in Shakespeare St, Greymouth, and his sister, Agnes H Caulfield (or Caufield), lived in Northcote, Auckland. Robert Currie served as a private in the South African Campaign (7720) from 1899-1902 and with the Canterbury Regiment NZEF (6/608) in World War 1. He was killed in action at Fisherman’s Hut (near the Dardenelles) between April 25 and May 1, 1915, aged 37.

(Reference: 74 Lone Pine Memorial@ gallipolipeninsula). Robert was a member of the Ross Rugby Club from 1904-10, and was well known on the West Coast and in Otago as a cricketer. He played against Lord Hawke’s England team which came to New Zealand in 1902-03, making 31 of Westland’s 111. He was known for his “unique” style. Biddy Manera has two pieces of a slate plaque relating to Robert Currie and his mother, Helen. She also planted an oak tree in Robert’s memory, and William erected a wrought-iron surround.

Biddy believes the slate pieces she has are related to oak trees that were planted in a Ross street in memory of the seven from the area who died in World War I (their names are also

on the township’s cenotaph). The oaks were destroyed by recent mining, but replacement oaks have now been planted and a plaque put in place in Grimmond Ave, Ross. Details are on a Facebook page, ‘Ross Memorial Plantings’. John and Helen Currie are both buried in the Ross cemetery.

Contact: Biddy Manera, 45 Tramway St, Ross 7812, South Westland; 03 7554193; rosschicks@clear.net.nz.

Geoff Dixon, who served with Victor 4 Company in Vietnam from 1969-70, is trying to locate former members of the unit. He is now a Returned member (0284) of the Manurewa RSA, in Auckland. Contact: Geoff Dixon, victor4@xtra.co.nz.

Kaye Maree Dunn is looking for photos of the Maori Contingent who served in World War 1, particularly members of the NZ Maori Pioneer Battalion, from 1916 to 1918. Her grandfather was Matewai Piki Pohatu, and she is doing some whanau research. Contact: Kaye Maree Dunn, kayemareedunn@ gmail.com.

Family members, stories and photographs of soldiers sought for a book telling the stories of the following men and women who died in Europe whilst serving in World War 1. For whatever reason, they were the only New Zealand Forces buried in the cemetery they now rest. Died in Belgium: 2/2350 Maurice Alwyn Adams; 62900 Alexis Harry V.Anderson; 29723 Allan Hunt Barclay; 53145 James Chisholm; 49355 Thomas Willoughby Dryden; 27496 John Amos Godsell; 36972 William Edwin Harris; 13016 James Frierson Harston; 4/1170 Peter James Husband; 33061 Terence Jones; 11/783 John Knowles; 34114 James Charles McGinley; 16/1557 Wetini Mathew; 24/2043 David Mulcahy; 8/2686 Benjamin Herbert Needs; 9/1722 Dudley Everard Owen Price; 28801 Edgar Harvey Robertson; 41038 Thomas Sproule; 10/4201 Christopher Swinbourne; 51792 George Edward Tapp; 24/604 Bernard Vercoe. Died in France: Patrick Butler; John Carnegie Campbell; Delwyn Harold Craig; John Steward Dagg; Sydney Grey Davis; Thomas Joseph Falvey; John Stuart Fox; Alban Thomas Franklin (Thomas Allen); George Henry Galpin; Harold

Chelsea Hall; Samuell Douthitt Hill; Charlie Hillman; Frank Hughes; John Thomas Kendall; Douglas Leighton Kersteven; Charles Turl Loader; Robert Edward McNeil; Donald Booker McPhail; Robert Henry Morgan; Edgar George Murfitt; Patrick Augustine Ongley; Richard Pearson; Piana Pera; Sidney Percy; Claude Searle Pownceby; John Rakiraki; William John Rau; Robert Heny Read; Patrick John Read; Harry Reid; Dick Roding (Albert Charles Drake); George William Rolls; Bertram John Russell; William Humphrey Scott; Walter Shadrach; John Brown Smith; Philip Sparrow; George Hollands Spence; Leslie Francis Cecil Taylor; John Thacker; Michael Tobin; Wilfred Maurice Turner; Peter James Valentine; Roy Douglas Walker; George Nichol Wallace; George Milne Wallace; David Wood; Finlay Campbell Wood. Buried in The Netherlands: Timothy Moynahan. Buried in Salonika, Greece: Margaret Rogers. Contact: Grant Tobin, granttobin2@hotmail.co.uk Does anyone know anything of Jim Paton, who was a flight sergeant in the Royal Air Force? He and Denny were stationed together at RAF Machrihanish.

Contact: Denny – farmerden@me.com.

Information and families sought for World War 2 airmen. Melissa, who lives near what used to be RAF Cottesmore in Rutland, England, has discovered that three RNZAF personnel who died in World War 2 are buried in the village cemetery. Sgt Vincent Herbert Griffiths and Sgt Jack Edward Wall were training on Hampdens and Sgt Wilford John Collins on Wellingtons. They were members of 14 OTU at Cottesmore.

Sgt Griffiths, 29, and Sgt Wall, 19, were killed in the same accident on a training exercise on December 12, 1941. Sgt Griffiths’s parents (Thomas and Millicent) came from Parnell, Auckland, and he had two sisters (Margaret and Majorie). Sgt Wall came from Harihari, South Westland; his parents were William and Emily, and he may have had two brothers (Archie and Frank) and a sister (Mary). Sgt Collins, 23, from Remuera, Auckland, was killed in an accident on December 6, 1942. On-line documents reveal he was married to Zena in 1941-42 (it is thought she remarried). He had a brother (Ted) and a sister (Eunice),

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and his parents were Edward and Louise. Their graves are looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in a small village cemetery in Rutland. Melissa lived in New Zealand for a couple of years and would like to find out about the men and see if they have family in New Zealand. Contact: Melissa, shopping@pilbeams.com Stephanie is trying to the family of a soldier in Italy. Her uncle, Douglas William Lawson 31147, was stationed in Egypt during World War 2 as part of the Medical Corp. When he died, she inherited his war memorabilia.

Amongst it was an Italian soldier’s passport, which she would like to return to the family in Italy. She has made contact with two men with the soldier’s surname (one also had the same first name) in the same area of Italy (near Bologna), but both said the soldier was not related to them.

One of them, Kristian Montevecchi, has very similar facial features and she was surprised there was no family link. She thinks he thought it was a scam. Her Uncle Douglas’s diary contains an April 3, 1941 note reading, “Wounded Italian soldier arrived.

I stood by his bed.” His diary note of April 7, 1941 says, “A death from burns. I was pallbearer”. She was inferred that he had befriended the Italian soldier and kept his passport as a memory. Contact: Stephanie, stephanie@rodneywayne.com Mark Compain’s great uncle, Ken Stone, served with C Company on Guadalcanal, Vella la Vella and the Green Islands, including the ‘Commando Raid’. He is seeking information or recollections of 30 Battalion’s time in New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. Contact: Mark Compain, markcompain@hotmail.com.

Can anyone help with search for medals of Pte James Hazeldine, NZEF Canterbury Infantry Battalion, 6/647.

He was killed in Gallipoli in 1915 and the medals were sent to his father.

They were then with his mother but, along with the plaque and scroll, have disappeared. Contact: Paula, paula@paulart.co.

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14

News

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Remembering War is always a controversial topic that draws a variety of responses.

As the centenary of the start of the First World War has been commemorated and with commemorations of particular battles and eventually the Armistice to follow, it seemed timely to examine this sensitive topic and how it relates to the RSA movement and New Zealand today. RSA Review spoke to people in the RSA movement and Armed Forces to get their views.

We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender - Winston Churchill.

It’s no secret that many Kiwis who enlisted for service in the First World War had no idea what they were letting themselves in for. How could they? It was war on a scale that the world had never witnessed before. The foundations of the massive mobilisation of men from New Zealand who went to the war had been laid in the years leading up to war through organisations such as the Boy Scouts and through the introduction of compulsory military training in 1909. Alexander Reedy, secretary of the Ruatoria RSA, had several members of his family head off to the war voluntarily as part of the Maori contingent including his father, uncles and cousins.

“There was no work and the government paid them to go. When they left New Zealand they thought they were going for a holiday, to see the world. But when they got over there it was all very different.”

So, as we approach the First World War commemorations, by honouring the departed are we inadvertently glorifying the act of battle?

“I have never heard anyone in an RSA glorify war,” says BJ Clark, RSA National Vice President.

“They will talk about how they popped into a town and stole a chicken or some wine or something but I’ve never heard anyone boasting about how they killed someone. The RSA is not about that. It’s about honouring those who went to war but not about glorifying war.”

President of the Christchurch RSA Peter Dawson points to the post traumatic stress disorders that veterans have had to deal with as a result of going to battle as evidence that war is far from glorious.

“If you talk to any veteran on a parade they are the most anti-war people you will ever come across because they’ve been there and seen it. What they are doing is remembering.

We shouldn’t glorify it – there’s no such thing as the glorious dead but by God there is such a thing as bravery and sacrifice. We should never ever forget the sacrifice these men made.”

Terence O’Brien who is a senior fellow at the Victoria University Centre for Strategic Studies agrees: “When New Zealand commemorates it shouldn’t do it with any sense of triumph. It must be more a commemoration of those that gave their lives. My sense is that New Zealand is doing that.”

RSA CEO David Moger says that the RSA is

A catastrophe ‘we should never foRGet’ Karen Phelps clear about its objectives and where the line between commemoration and celebration lies.

“There is a very clear acceptance that war is something to be endured rather than enjoyed.

None of our Defence Force would want to go into conflict but it’s something they are required to do. We celebrate the outcomes they achieved in terms of the freedoms we enjoy today.”

No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country – George S Patton.

We are going to have peace, even if we have to fight for it – Dwight D Eisenhower.

The population of New Zealand in 1914 was just over one million and more than 120,000 New Zealanders enlisted and around 103,000 served overseas during World War I. Around 18,500 New Zealanders died in or because of the war and about 41,000 were wounded. So as we look back at the First World War and the loss of innocent life that occurred was it all really worthwhile?

“Of course it’s not worth all the bloodshed and innocents that get caught up in it. But we’re a weird lot us humans and we seem to screw it up all the time,” thinks BJ Clark.

“War is not worthwhile for the loss of life but at some point you have to make a stand. It’s like the playground bully. New Zealanders have done that in a number of battles. It’s a question that never has a clear answer. The real question is that if we didn’t go (to war) what would be the result?”

Terence O’Brien believes the concept of a ‘just’ war does exist: “A war can be justified where threats are real – to livelihood and a country’s well being for example. There are

certain principles for a just war – all other options must be exhausted first and the means must be appropriate to the circumstances.”

“To me (on a certain level) it was a jolly waste of time,” thinks Alexander Reedy reminiscing about the First World War. “It was supposed to be the war to end all wars. They were told it was going to be over in a couple of days. But what happened? It was a lot of loss of life and there’s been other wars since and they’re still happening.”

“I believe in the statement that all it takes for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing,” says David Moger. “In no way do we want to do it but when it’s necessary to be done we have men and women prepared to take that action and stand in harms way. For those of us that have not served we cannot know what that’s like.”

Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force Lieutenant General Tim Keating agrees: “The New Zealand Government has gone to war as part of our commitment to maintain peace and security in the world. When peace is threatened by forces that would impose their will on people New Zealand has used its Armed Forces as a force for good.”

We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war but on the positive affirmation of peace – Martin Luther King Jr. With the 100th anniversary coming up should we continue to remember or is it time to forget and put the First World War behind us? In remembering are we simply dredging up the past and the painful memories it brings and should we rather be moving towards the future?

BJ Clark thinks that the very act of remembering is important in moving forward. He points to the fact that New Zealand soldiers are still fighting, and sometimes losing their lives, in conflict zones around the world today making the First World War as

relevant now as it was one hundred years ago.

“I don’t think it’s ever time to forget because we should honour those that did go. We don’t need to glorify it but we should certainly remember.”

Alexander Reedy agrees: “I don’t think we should forget about it. Back here (in Ruatoria) people lost quite a few of their relatives (in the First World War) and they still grieve for them today.”

Says Lieutenant General Tim Keating: “Our forebears were incredible examples to us all. Not to honour what they did for us, many of them losing their lives in the process, would be a crime. I feel very strongly that as a Defence Force and New Zealanders we should continue to honour their sacrifice. The First World War was a catastrophe which changed the world forever. We should never forget that.”

War does not determine who is right - only who is left. – Betrand Russell It is often said that New Zealand gained its nationhood through its involvement. Being far from home made the New Zealand soldiers very aware of who they were and where they were from.

In battle they were able to compare themselves with men from other nations. But does this view of nationhood stand up to scrutiny today for the average Kiwi who remembers nothing of the war?

“It’s a part of our history, a part of who we are,” thinks BJ Clark. “It set standards – the way Kiwis are, that we’re prepared to stand up and fight with allies even when it could be argued that it’s not our war. We’ve been prepared to play our part. We may be a small country but we have a belief in freedom and a free world.”

Terence O’Brien goes further saying that our involvement in the First World War was significant in terms of creating New Zealand’s sense of identity and who we are today.

“It was an experience unlike any other, an event without precedence. It shaped the lives of not just those who went but also their families. We realised that although we were very far away we were very much a part of the world. New Zealand’s sense of international responsibility was created in that time and it has endured since. Our trade and economic well being today depends on our ability to be part of the international community. We rely on the world out there for our economic wellbeing.”

Peter Dawson thinks that in many ways our involvement in the First World War led to New Zealand seeking sovereignty.

“When you look at the disasters for Kiwis that occurred in the First World War that weren’t the result of our leadership, where we ended up led into follies that if they had been better managed might have had a very different result, I think we

To page 16

16 News

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

SENSE OF NATIONHOOD IN WAKE OF WAR What WW1 means to you today

From page 14 started to want to go into battle on our own terms.”

Professor of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University Robert Ayson thinks that we have to be careful that we don’t make this a central point for our national identity.

“We are sometimes encouraged to see New Zealand’s costly involvement in this conflict as the making of our national identity but the scale of that war and the convulsions it set in place for world affairs make me wonder if that is a wise approach.

“New Zealand’s first main act in the war, which people often forget, was to seize Samoa for the British Empire. This will be remembered in a ceremony in Auckland at the end of August but looking back on it evokes some difficult times in the way New Zealand managed its growing Pacific responsibilities in the first half of the twentieth century.

“Moreover the demographic changes in New Zealand means that a smaller percentage of our population will be able to draw personal connections back to the participation of New Zealand forces in this long and bloody conflict. I think this anniversary deserves to be noted not least because of the huge impact it had on this country and on so many other peoples. But I wonder about our ability, in a post-imperial age, to make sense of how New Zealanders looked at their world and at the question of war a century ago.”

Glyn Harper, professor of war studies at Massey University who has studied the First World War for over 20 years, says that interest in the centenary has brought forth a plethora of new material including letters, diaries and previously undiscovered manuscripts. A greater focus on digitising material is giving the public greater access to information about the war.

“With a whole lot of new material coming to light hopefully we will know more about ourselves and New Zealand. There’s always something new to learn and discover and I think we need to tell stories to interest young New Zealanders in the past and in their heritage.

Military history is in fact family history as there are very few New Zealanders who wouldn’t have a connection to the war.

As we remember the loss maybe someone making the decision today about sending men into battle might re-think that. I don’t think they ever will but it’s a nice thought. – BJ Clark, RSA National Vice President Feelings of sorrow and thank God that I’ve never had to be involved in something like that.

It spurs anti-war sentiments but on the other hand it does make me feel that we do need to be prepared (to go to battle) just in case. – Terence O’Brien, senior fellow at the Victoria University Centre for Strategic Studies.

Lieutenant General Tim Keating

“We need to move beyond remembrance to an educative experience so many more people know about the war. We need to use this in a way to reinvigorate the past and pass it onto a whole new generation.”

Lieutenant General Tim Keating agrees that the past is far from forgotten history: “We are seeing more and more young people attending the commemorations we hold throughout the year and in particular Anzac Day. They understand the significance and come proudly wearing their great grandfather’s, grandfather’s or father’s medals. Many of them have also been to Gallipoli and other war cemeteries around Europe, experiencing first-hand the awfulness of mass graves of very young New Zealanders. It is a sobering experience.”

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word – Martin Luther King Jnr.

We live in a free country. The freedom we enjoy today was affected by that war.

Peter Dawson, president of Christchurch RSA There didn’t seem to be any strategy, it was straight out bull at a gate, organised murder.

I feel very sad at the human life that was so cheap in the eyes of the commanders. I feel kind of proud to think how we performed and the bearing it had on the country as a whole.

– Fred Cooper, WWII veteran It makes me remember the stories that came back from the war from my father, uncles and cousins.

They only talk about the good experiences they had; they never talk about the bad things. You only read about the bad things in the history books.

Alexander Reedy, secretary of Ruatoria RSA The impact it has on me is deeply personal.

The life I enjoy today in New Zealand with my family is rooted in that service and sacrifice. For me the commemorations touch so many parts of my life remembering that we still have Defence Force in harms way today.

– David Moger, RSA CEO For me it’s a very significant occasion. It’s always quite emotional. It’s quite heartening to see a deepening interest in World War I and see this being commemorated at a national and an international level.

Glyn Harper, professor of war studies at Massey University.

Te Aroha memorial to fallen Kiwi soldiers

Te Aroha RSA’s memorial to those who enlisted as soldiers from the district and died during the First World War.

Funding retirement can be tough Over 80% of New Zealanders aged 65+ own their own home, most of them mortgage free. However, the median income of New Zealanders aged 65+ is just NZ$20,200, with many Kiwis over 65 depending entirely or largely on New Zealand Superannuation.

Whilst this can be enough to get by, for many it doesn’t cover unexpected expenses like house maintenance, car bills, or taking a trip to visit family. It certainly doesn’t allow for any luxuries.

Home equity release can be an ideal response to demographic and economic realities - an ageing population that has directed much of its savings into the family home.

The release of money in many cases can be quite small, but it can really improve the day to day living of our customers.

Heartland Bank’s Home Equity Loan is similar to a regular mortgage, but it’s specifically designed for retired New Zealanders without the requirement to make regular repayments. You continue to own and live in your home

for as long as you wish.

Vaughan Underwood, Head of Equity Release at Heartland Bank, says that Home Equity Release as an option has evolved considerably in recent years as generational expectations have

changed. People live longer, healthier lives and are looking for an active, but independent retirement.

“The release of money in many cases can be quite small, but it can really improve the day to day living of our customers. Whilst many can get by just with government super, any unexpected bills can create significant stress.”

Home improvements or repairs are a common use of Heartland’s Home Equity Loans, with these renovations often allowing retirees to remain living in their homes more comfortably. They can also add to the value of the home.

Some borrowers use the funds to upgrade their car to something more reliable. Others have used the funds for travel; often it’s to see family overseas before long distance travel becomes too difficult.

Underwood says, “Whether it is having a home that is warm and secure, greater and safer mobility with an upgraded car, or the memories and satisfaction that will come from visiting family, the money released from their own home can be transformational to our clients’ wellbeing.”

Underwood says times are changing and the family home plays a different role than it did in past generations, with people living longer.

“These days, at time of passing, children are likely to be close to retirement themselves meaning leaving a legacy is less relevant, and looking after yourself first, can make more sense.”

Home equity release can be an ideal alternative to selling the family home.

These days, at time of passing, children are likely to be close to retirement themselves meaning leaving a legacy is less relevant, and looking after yourself first can make more sense.

ADVERTISEMENT

18 Remembering

PHOTOS: Clockwise from top. One of the memorial photo groups from Port Chalmers, where every soldier’s fate was researched and recorded. Lt Col Amanda Brosnan, CO 2/4 Bn RNZIR, leads the opening commemorative march at the opening of Dunedin’s Great War exhibition at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

She is flanked by Pte Travis Butson (left and Pte Josh Lodge. Dunedin RSA welfare Trust Officer Niall Shepherd and Dunedin RSA president Jenepher Glover. Lox Kellas, vice president of the Dunedin RSA leads a group as they look over the exhibition. The Dunedin RSA Choir sings at the opening ceremony.

One of the memorial photo walls. STORY AND PHOTOS

BY JOHN COSGROVE.

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

WW1 memor display ope

As part of nationwide WWI commemorations beginning 2014, a new multi-media historical display has been open Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin memorialising the in Otago people in WWI. Opened by the Director General of NZ Reserve Forces and You Brigadier George (Sean) Trengrove, the large display of multi and artifacts was the work of a large commissioning comm which included the Late Dr Don McKay (OMR) and LT CO McElwain (4OSR).

Attending the opening were members of the Dunedin the Dunedin Returned and Services Association president, Je while a number of soldiers from Bravo Company 2/4 were performing an honour guard for the 4OSR and Scots Co appeared in period costume.

A great deal of research has been undertaken by the muse to identify soldiers in photographs giving viewers a graphic of just how dangerous fighting in the various campaigns w The museum has made this very relevant by the incl large group portraits graphically detailing who few who who were wounded or those who had sadly died. Plus they to include in the exhibition a photograph of every Otago so in the display.

The exhibition stays open until May 2015.

Remembering 19

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

rial ens

g on August 1st ned at the Toitu nvolvement by

White crosses poignant reminder Story and photo by John Cosgrove A graphic and yet poignant reminder of the supreme sacrifice New Zealand rural communities had inflicted upon them during the Great War of 1914-18, was opened in Milton recently marking the start of nationwide WWI 100 year commemorations.

A field of over 120 white crosses bearing the names of dead soldiers from the Otago rural region was laid out in the remembrance garden next to the Milton Bruce RSA on SH1.

The Milton Bruce Returned Services Association now invites people to place their own personal tributes among the crosses to remember fallen soldiers who died during WWI.

Some of the 120 plus crosses in the garden of remembrance at the Milton Bruce RSA.

Wreath commemorates start of WW1

uth Development imedia imagery mittee of experts OL (Ret) Roger

RSA Choir and enepher Glover, e also on show olours and also

eum supporters c representation was. lusion of many live, the many y have also tried oldier who died

A wreath commemorating the start of World War 1 on August 4 was laid outside the Papakura RSA in Auckland. Life member Ivan (Pip) Fearon recites the Ode for the fallen (top) flanked by Papakura club members. RSA club Manager Tom Sainsbury lays the wreath by the flagpole (right). Photos by Craig McIsaac.

20 Remembering

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

THE LAST POST WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

A

ADAMS AA 925022 RNZN 19/05/2014 Dunedin AITKEN A 14397236 WWII 13/06/2014 Tauranga AMBLER WC 237316 WWII, NZ Army 20 Bn 01/06/2014 Christchurch ANDERSON LJ 438890 NZ Army 02/06/2014 Manurewa ANDERSON W 889298 NZ Army CMT 28/05/2014 Kelston ANGEN OR 568617 Armd Corp 30/07/2014 Taradale ANGUS RN 77665 RNZAF 22/05/2014 Dunedin ANSTIS RJK 5547 RNZN 04/02/2014 Paeroa ARCULUS AW 14032507 WWII, NZ Army 19/07/2014 Howick ARMSTRONG D 817028 RNZAF 22/05/2014 Christchurch B

BAILEY CD 13379 WWII, NZ Army 26 Bn 19/05/2014 Christchurch BAK TLA 10679 WWII Korea, RNZN 27/03/2013 Palmerston North BALL RT WWII, NZ Army 10/08/2014 Whangaparaoa BARRY NJ 595477 Malaya, NZ Army 1 Bn 29/07/2014 Mangawhai BATES KM NZ7947 WWII 26/05/2014 Mt Maunganui BAYLISS JE PJX809980 WWII, RNZN 24/05/2014 Howick BEALL BG 2344559 RAF 04/05/2014 Auckland BEATON M 823167 03/07/2014 Dunedin BEBARFALD RC 4214660 RNZAF 15/07/2014 Taradale BECKETT MA W772912 Bosnia 26/06/2014 Mosgiel BELLAMORE AH 624548 WWII, NZ Army Sigs 24/05/2014 Christchurch BENNIE JA 444820 2NZEF WWII A Sqn, 18 Armd Regt 23/05/2014 Timaru BENSEMAN EW 44116 WWII, RNZAF 27/05/2014 Wanganui BERTHELSEN LV NZ4211726 WWII, RNZAF 29/05/2014 Nelson BILLING JR 628728 WWII, NZ Army 03/05/2014 Auckland BOUGEN AR 71038 Pacific & Italy, Engs 01/07/2014 Waihi BOYLE AP NZ7155 WWII, RNZN 27/07/2014 Nelson BRADDOCK KM 652750/4516 WWII 03/07/2014 Tauranga BRETT JE 14919587 WWII, British Army 10/07/2014 Blenheim BROADLEY RG 434620 26/07/2014 Pukekohe BROMLEY IT U19361 Pacific, RNZN 22/06/2014 Stanmore Bay BROMWICH LC W4124 WWII 09/05/2014 Mt Maunganui BROWN G 18205 RNZN 29/05/2014 Wanganui BROWN JGP NZN10214 WWII, RNZN 21/07/2014 Cambridge BROWN KW 22813839 Royal Sigs 11/06/2014 Taradale BROWNE CB 71670 30/07/2014 Manurewa BRYANT AML 448339 2NZEF, 2 Div Sigs 14/01/2014 Timaru BUCHAN DR Q2533 WWII, RNZAF 30/04/2014 Wellington BURTON RTB 28178 04/08/2014 Auckland BURTON S 922560 CMT 18/02/2014 Dunedin BYRNE JC 487721 WWII, Army Med Corps 2NZEF 20/05/2014 Hamilton C

CAMERON HC 922537 NZ Army Territorials 07/05/2014 Dunedin CAMPBELL-WALL HJ 74748 Malaya & Borneo, RNZAF 03/07/2014 Dargaville CARDWELL M 48025 WWII, NZ Army 25/06/2014 Orewa CAREY W 14594913 WWII, British Army 12/07/2014 Dunedin CHARTERIS ID 660531 Japan, NZMC 25/06/2014 Timaru CHESTER STE 2979 WWII 30/06/2014 Tauranga CLARK MH 23525 WWII, 11 Forestry Engs 14/05/2014 Hikurangi CLIST M 372627 20/05/2014 Greerton COCHRANE NV 665322 WWII, 22 Bn 30/05/2014 Wanganui COMMON S 16792 WWII 12/05/2014 Christchurch COOK OW 923089 RNZAF, CMT 14/06/2014 Dunedin COOPER AK 390654 NZ Army 17/05/2014 Hatfields Beach CRAIG JJ 2925 WWII, RNZN 21/05/2014 Morrinsville CREAN MA 595267 06/08/2014 Mt Maunganui CRETNEY LC NZ43236 07/04/2014 Masterton CRONIN IS 604379 Vietnam 09/07/2014 Tauranga CROSSON DS 208617 WWII Korea, NZ Arty 20/07/2014 Ashburton CROWTHER T NZ1820 WWII, RNZN 07/07/2014 Howick D

DANIELS G 438951 WWII, NZ Army 19/07/2014 Dunedin DANN G 635430 WWII, 2NZEF 12/07/2014 Hastings

DAVIS G JX313410 WWII, RN 14/01/2014 Timaru DAWWS N 23237654 13/05/2014 Tauranga DEGARNHAM L 663444 WWII, 3 Bn 27/07/2014 Dunedin DERBYSHIRE KG 594098 Army Band 11/05/2014 Hamilton DEVLYN RA NZ15399 RNZN 12/07/2014 Raglan DIXON IM 37907 WRNS WWII, RN 25/01/2014 Thames DOAK S 304486 14/06/2014 Kaitaia DOLAN J F76503 25/06/2014 Auckland DOVER F PO/X 5085 WWII, Royal Marines 20/06/2014 Matamata DOWLING TE 2345894 WWII, RNZAF 14/07/2014 Auckland DUNCAN DWE 208899 Korea, NZ Army 18/05/2014 Blenheim E

ELLINGHAM MB 10581 WWII, RNZN 04/02/2014 Dannevirke ELLISON J 647722 Malaya, 1 Bn 09/04/2014 Te Puke F

FAIRWEATHER HM 4215212 WWII, RNZAF 09/06/2014 Nelson FALLOON K 43232 WWII, NZ Army 13/07/2014 Christchurch FLANAGAN JP 7294 01/07/2014 Auckland FLEMING JL 404618 WWII, Engs 21/06/2014 Dargaville FLOYD MR 621535 NZ Army 26/07/2014 Katikati FOOTE RL 15400 NZ Army 26 Bn 02/05/2014 Dunedin FORBES EW 439298 WWII, 2NZEF Engs 18/06/2014 Waimate FORBES RW 31/05/2014 Masterton FORD PJ 328795 CMT 01/07/2014 Te Puke FORSYTH GE NZ402297 WWII, LAC RNZAF 12/04/2014 Hamilton FRAME CH 569332 NZ Army Div Reg 06/04/2014 Taradale FRAME JS 41982 WWII, RNZAF 22/04/2014 Wanganui FRANKLIN B 4215213 WWII, 75 Sqn RAF 06/05/2014 Timaru FRENANDEZ BG 232308 WWII, 2NZEF 26/06/2014 Howick G

GARDINER DR 70612 WWII, NZ Army 05/07/2014 Blenheim GIBBS GGG NZD2555 WWII 24/03/2014 Hamilton GIBSON RS R286560 WWII, MN 13/04/2014 Wanganui GILLAM JS NZ436611 WWII, Solomon Islands, 16 Sqn 28/05/2014 Auckland GILMER WJ 37355 NZ Army 17/04/2014 Upper Hutt GLASS LA 621989 WWII 10/05/2014 Mt Maunganui GODFREY BJ 436049 WWII, RNZAF 30/06/2014 Howick GOLDIE HH NZ15260 WWII 02/06/2014 Auckland GOODLET I 661732 WWII, JForce 14/04/2014 Kawhia GOOM T 19274 WWII 19/06/2014 Christchurch GOSS A 444986 WWII, NZ Army 30/06/2014 Napier GRBAVAC LA 303001 NZ Army 21/07/2014 Whangarei GREEN GS 305153 RNZASC, CMT 02/07/2014 Auckland GREENWOOD D 475000 21/03/2014 Te Awamutu GRIFFITHS L 208726 Korea 31/05/2014 Christchurch GRIFFITHS LC 443224 WWII, NZ Army 23 Bn 18/07/2014 Christchurch GUTHRIE J 443421 WWII Middle East 10/07/2014 Ashburton H

HALFORD CH 468794 CMT 04/05/2013 Wairere HALL LT 4840 WWII, RNZN 02/04/2014 Auckland HAMILTON RF 632955 Territorials 16/04/2014 Wanganui HAND NE 442566 WWII 04/07/2014 Mt Maunganui HARKER TA 30690 NZ Sigs 23/07/2013 Masterton HARRIS LA 819059 WWII, WAAC 30/05/2014 Whangarei HARRISON D 805545 CMT 19/03/2014 Ruawai HARTER W US Marines 13/09/2013 Masterton HEENEY BB 11256 29/07/2014 Mt Maunganui HENWOOD HC 414877 WWII, RNZAF 02/07/2014 Whangarei HICKEY G 443930 RNZAF 18/07/2014 Napier HICKS EA 443341 04/08/2014 Dunedin HIGHET K 407181 WWII, NZ Army 08/06/2014 Nelson HILLARY C CDW1687018 WWII, CDF 09/06/2014 Howick HODGES KR B81053 RNZAF 30/07/2014 Renwick HOFFMAN WA 578583 NZ Army 27/05/2014 Taradale HOLCROFT AR 466530 CMT 08/06/2014 Hamilton HOPKINS SH 350483 30/03/2014 Auckland HOUGHTON JH 332615 RNZAF 29/07/2014 Orewa HOUGHTON RN 459886 02/07/2014 Mt Maunganui HOWARD JD 411900 WWII, RNZAF 09/06/2014 Blenheim HUDDLESTONE PG 621548 03/08/2014 Mt Maunganui HUTCHINS IA 457333 Malaya & Vietnam, RNZAF 14/07/2014 Gulf Harbour I

IVEY FT 448689 WWII, NZ Army 26 Bn 04/08/2014

Christchurch J

JAGGARD NP NZ14609 Malaya, RNZN 14/05/2014 Manukau JECKS DS 629536, 451537 WWII, NZ Army & RNZAF 18/05/2014 Cambridge JENNER WH 429962 WWII, RNZAF 17/05/2014 Nelson JOHNSON CD NZ412697 WWII, RNZAF 21/05/2014 Howick JOHNSON ER 421377 WWII 16/05/2014 Mt Maunganui JOHNSTON BJ Y527918 25/05/2014 Te Puke JOLLY FA 70247 WWII RNZA 26/01/2014 Masterton JORY AS 445008 WWII, NZ Army 8Fd Coy Eng, JForce 11/05/2014 Christchurch JOSEPHS AF 13460 RNZN 19/05/2014 Hastings JUDD GS R302220 05/05/2014 Avondale K

KANA LHW 9333 WWII, RNZN 23/05/2014 Te Kuiti KAY DB 465867 CMT NZ Army 27/07/2014 Morrinsville KELLY JH 211005 Korea, 10 ASC 21/05/2014 Waitara KENYON WR K727936 Vietnam, 1RNZIR 17/06/2014 Taradale KING KH 17507 RNZN 18/05/2014 Wanganui KISSELL NE 408557 2NZEF 23 Bn 31/10/2013 Westport KRUSE S 811988 WWII, NZ Army 18/05/2014 Te Awamutu L

LANE RN 414305 WWII 17/06/2014 Tuakau LAVIN JE NZ1506 WWII 13/05/2014 Mt Maunganui LEASK WD 2601 WWII, RNZN 16/05/2014 Auckland LEE WL 300967 15/05/2014 Manurewa LESTER AS R287661 WWII, RNZN 30/05/2014 Blenheim LILLEY M WAAF 5265 05/08/2014 Ashburton LORD EA W/371807 14/06/2014 Papamoa LORIMER JD 64265 WWII, 21 Bn 16/04/2014 Hamilton LOVERIDGE WL 624832 RNZ Sigs 19/06/2014 Wanganui LUNDBERG AF 514094 RNZASC, NZ Army 04/03/2014 Thames M

MACKENZIE HR 42240 WWII, 25 Bn 2NZEF 10/05/2014 Wanganui MALTHUS R RN8934 WWII 11/07/2014 Dunedin MAPP GD 821344 WWII 02/07/2014 Tauranga MARCHANT CG 435848 RNZAF 30/06/2014 Blenheim MARTIN WF NZ11672 Korea, RNZN 14/04/2014 Taradale MC BREARTY KS 452391 Egypt & Italy, NZ Army 25/05/2014 Waihi Beach MCBAIN J 41278 WWII 18/06/2014 Dunedin MCCABE HG 338036 CMT 06/04/2014 Tauranga MCCALLUM JD 103138 WWII, RN 04/05/2014 Orewa MCCLELLAND G 24203851 5/7 Bn 03/05/2014 Wanganui MCCLINTOCK A NZ435785 WWII, RNZAF 27/03/2014 Whangamata MCDONALD GA 085205 NZ Army 29/05/2014 Dunedin MCDOWALL IR 32125 RNZEME 01/08/2014 Taradale MCDOWELL RE 130211 RNZAF 12/07/2014 Blenheim MCINTYRE AR 43075 1NZGH MEF CMF 20/06/2013 Westport MCKINNON H 462352 05/06/2014 Avondale MCQUILLAN PJC 4314253 WWII, RNZAF 27/05/2014 Hamilton MCSHANE J P/SSX 32250 WWII, RN 14/04/2014 Wanganui MEAGHER E 74302 06/07/2014 Mt Maunganui MENZIES G 50572 WWII Korea, 161 Bty 16Fd Regts 13/07/2014 Dannevirke MILLER AHF 920887 RNZVR 24/05/2014 Dunedin MILLER RA 27846 Middle East, Sapper Railwayman 14/06/2014 Motueka MILLER TT 441895 WWII, RNZAF 12/07/2014 Howick MILLS PL NZ432007 WWII, RNZAF 24/05/2014 Te Awamutu MINTO N W3725 WWII, RNZN 22/07/2014 Napier MOLE J LFX/764994 WWII, Fleet Air Arm 30/04/2014 Auckland MONTGOMERY RG 625875 WWII 05/06/2014 Dargaville MOOR RC 10115 WWII, RNZN 21/05/2014 Hamilton MOORE JA NZ1859 WWII, RNZN 07/05/2014 Taradale MORRIS RJ 22632088 England, Germany & Suez 28/02/2014 Wellington MORTENSEN NR 412982 30/06/2014 Hillsborough MOSS RA 7888101 WWII, RAC 25/06/2014 Hamilton MOULDER KF 4213876 WWII 28/05/2014 Mt Maunganui MURCOTT B 26272 WWII, 24 Bn 29/06/2014 Hamilton MUSSON D 438548 WWII, NZ Army 13/07/2014 Alexandra N

NEAL TG 623289 Japan, NZ Army 21/07/2014 Blenheim NEEDHAM J 28222 WWII, NZ Army 14/06/2014 Orewa NEILSON B 568983 Singapore & Malaya, RNZAF 07/04/2014 Wellington NEILSON DR NZ425070 WWII, AC1 05/06/2013 Masterton

NEWLAND HWJ R239758 MN 10/07/2014 Christchurch NOBLE NM 425119 09/06/2014 Tauranga NOICE RC 429800 WWII, RAF Pathfinder Sqn 13/07/2014 Cambridge NOKES D 21037189 NZ Army 10/06/2013 Red Beach NORTON RE 774098 NZ Army 16/06/2014 Blenheim O

OATES E 30295 WWII, WRNS 26/02/2014 Te Awamutu O’CONNOR P CHX3738/R33687 WWII, RNZEME 13/04/2014 Carterton ORMANDY LS 622245 WWII, NZ Army 01/08/2014 Whangarei OSBORNE AE 106108 09/05/2014 Dunedin O’SULLIVAN PJ 8819 WWII, RNZN 27/05/2014 Wanganui P

PAGE WCW 403851 WWII, 25 Bn 02/05/2014 Hastings PALMER BJ 448969 WWII, 21 Bn 18/07/2014 Dargaville PATERSON (NEE ORAM) M 814904 WRAC 20/07/2014 Christchurch PAULIN DM 295331 WWII, NZ Army 3Div 01/08/2014 Christchurch PEAT RG 10188 WWII, RNZN 14/07/2014 Ashburton PERRY WAG 639450 JForce, 22 Bn 02/01/2014 Masterton PETTIT F 255659 WWII, 2nd Ammunition Co No 1 Am 15/07/2014 Christchurch PHILLIPS GC CJX809954 RN 16/07/2014 Red Beach POLKINGHORNE DC 623673 CMT 18/04/2014 Wanganui POLLARD M W70308 WWII, RNZAF 6 Sqn 16/04/2014 Hamilton POPPLEWELL FC 42338 WWII, RNZAF 26/05/2014 Waimate POULTER JA 514133 NZ Army 26/07/2014 Waihi Beach R

RAHIRI J 528029 CMT 17/04/2014 Tauranga RANGIUIA M J552813 Malaya & Vietnam, RNZIR 02/06/2014 Timaru RAUTAHI R 65413 WWII 28 Maori Bn, NZ Army 16/03/2014 Paeroa READY RRG 4311211 WWII, RNZAF 26/04/2014 Howick REAKS LE 653712 JForce, NZ Army 07/06/2014 Pukekohe REED DF 6207135 21/07/2014 Auckland REID ST 4310500 WWII, RNZAF 08/08/2014 Rangiora RITANI MR 14995 WWII, Vietnam 19/04/2014 Timaru ROBB FK 454826 WW11, 23 Bn 09/08/2014 Nelson ROGERS A 234575 10/05/2014 Auckland ROGERS RH 452520 23/07/2014 Mt Maunganui ROONEY J R265933 WWII, MN 28/05/2014 Waikanae ROPER J 203346 TF 28/04/2014 Tauranga ROSS HCL 236599 WWII, NZ Army 13/05/2014 Auckland ROWSELL HF 293120 2NZEF NZ Arty 14/01/2014 Westport S

SACHTLER K 19631 WWII NZ Army 08/07/2014 Dunedin SANDERS ID 434031 WWII, NZ Army NZE 30/07/2014 Christchurch SAVAGE RH 514429 RNZASC 14/05/2014 Auckland SCARROTT CC 787056 NZ Army 20/06/2014 Christchurch SCORRAR RH NZ436808 WWII, RNZAF 03/06/2014 Wanganui SCOTT DL 436180 WWII, 9 BR Sqn 25/04/2014 Pleasant Point SCOTT HA 88842 CMT 09/07/2014 Ashburton SCUFFHAM J NZ 77536 01/06/2014 Dunedin SHEA WLA 646930 Japan, JForce 29/05/2014 Tauranga SHEARER WE NZ416941 WWII, RNZAF 09/06/2014 Carterton SHERLOCK KD 316460 WWII, MN 19/07/2014 Taradale SIM MAH 30409 WWII, NZ Army 22 Bn 22/05/2014 Christchurch SIMON N 10971 WWII, 23 Bn 16/06/2014 Dunedin SIMONSEN FR 71306 17/10/2013 Greytown SIMPSON L 8062 WWII, RNZN 11/07/2014 Dunedin SKILTON MM NZ401332 WWII, RNZAF 30/06/2014 Christchurch SKITTRUP AH 443513 & 2576211 NZ Army & RNZAF 25/05/2014 Taradale SMITH CA 2709261 RAF 15/04/2014 Auckland SMITH RG CJX405369 WWII, RN 25/05/2014 Taradale SQUIRE DP 923311 Korea, 10th transport 02/08/2014 Nelson STEAD E 404 WWII, NZ Army 05/07/2014 Orewa STEVENSON RD R51693 Royal Australian Navy 20/07/2014 Blenheim STEWART WM 784277 Malaya, 1RNZIR 25/06/2014 Nelson STIRLING GB 6/435441 WWII, NZ Army 25/05/2014 Whangarei STOCKTON AJ 23403584 AAOC England 11/05/2014 Auckland

Remembering 21

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

THE LAST POST WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

STUART GE 39736 Malaya 09/07/2014 Ngaruawahia SUBRITZKY H 834382 22/07/2014 Kaitaia SUTHERLAND IG NZ421251 WWII, RNZAF 29/08/2013 Masterton T

TAPKE R 13808 15/06/2014 Waitara TAYLOR RH 444797 RNZAF 03/05/2014 Auckland THOM AC 433008 28/04/2014 Avondale THOMAS AG NZ44606 RNZAF 21/05/2014 Hamilton THOMAS P 439405 WWII, PUT, 27Mg Bn 17/04/2014 Carterton THOMAS RL 439040 15/03/2014 Avondale THORPE G 439816 19 Sqn 12/07/2014 Christchurch THROP W 288446 WWII, Dental Corp 12/08/2014 Napier TOD HH 21631 WWII, NZ Army 28/05/2014 Waipukurau TOOBY DE 251064 WWII, NZ Army & RNZN 12/06/2014 Red Beach TREDREA EHM NZ416557 WWII, RNZAF 17/05/2014

Auckland TUCK RM 461707 CMT 17/07/2014 Mt Maunganui TUME DT 340608 NZ Army 16/06/2014 Wanganui TURNBULL PS 617677 2NZEF JForce, 26 Bn 24/04/2014 Timaru V

VAN BOHEEMAN A 0181894 WWII 26/04/2014 Auckland VAN ZANTEN GM 260911056 Indonesia, Dutch Army 22/04/2014 Taradale VERDUN V 457322 WWII, 27 MG Bn 27/06/2014 Timaru VIDLER AA 2123617 WWII, Royal Engs 26/06/2014 Wanganui W

WADE W 327647 WWII, RNZN 04/06/2014 Whangamata WAGENER WA nz4212611 RNZAF 24/07/2014 Kaitaia

WAGNER AE RNZN WWII, RNZN 20/05/2014 Christchurch WAGSTAFF K 648711 WWII, NZ Army 30/04/2014 Wanganui WAIT G 22360745 8th Royal Tank Reg 20/05/2014 Taradale WALLIS AO 452168 Medical Corp 04/04/2014 Dunedin WALMSLEY A 4215106 04/07/2014 Te Puke WARD JK 73398 Aircraft eng 23/04/2014 Tauranga WARING AWM 5051174 RNZAF 10/11/2013 Orewa WARREN AG 404127 Pacific, RNZAF 08/07/2014 Blenheim WATERS W 1809289 WWII, RAF 05/07/2014 Dunedin WATSON WR 31384 WWII, RNZEME 14/03/2014 Masterton WELCH KN 45325 25Bn 17/03/2014 Masterton WHITE AL NZ4215809 RNZAF 2 Sqn 04/06/2014 Te Puke WHITECHURCH HA 421122 WWII, RNZAF 20/03/2014 Hamilton

WILLIAMS GS 437093 24/07/2014 Dunedin WILLIAMS HF 75759 & 539092 WWII, RNZAF & NZ Army 12/06/2014 Waimate WILLIAMS I 813463 WWII, INZGH 2NZEF 11/06/2014 Howick WILLIAMS RG 332934 02/07/2014 Auckland WILSON BAS 439300 WWII, RNZAF 02/07/2014 Christchurch WILSON P 429584 WWII, 514, 75 Sqn 23/07/2014 Christchurch WILSON PR 343985 WWII, RNZN 24/03/2014 Stanmore Bay WINCHESTER ME 35337 NZ Army, RNZEME 19/05/2014 Christchurch WOOD KA 1888 NZ Police 27/04/2014 Wanganui WOODS S 35719 WWII, NZ Army 22/07/2014 Papanui Y

YOUNG SG 439907 05/08/2014 Dunedin

do consider a bequest to a charity It wasn’t long ago, that the people using the services of the Wellington City Mission’s home and hospital for the elderly in Wellington had their lives transformed by a bequest. Michelle Branney, CEO of the Wellington City Mission, said that the generous bequest improved the quality of life for the elderly. Improvements were made to the facility and additional training and up-skilling was provided to the dedicated social workers, nurses and volunteers.

The Wellington City Mission is a member of Include A Charity – a group of over 55 charities who have come together to promote awareness and positive action around bequests in wills.

A bequest is the simple act of a person leaving a gift in a will to charity. Bequest income is vital across all charitable sectors in New Zealand, without it many charities would not be able to carry out their good work.

This year sees Include A Charity’s second ever “Include A Charity Week” in New Zealand from 28 September to 5 October 2014. This is a week long campaign striving to encourage everyday New Zealanders to ensure their families and loved ones are looked after in their wills, and also asking them to consider a bequest to a charity they support.

The Include A Charity campaign comes as charities look for other ways to help supporters and potential donors to make gifting easier.

The campaign’s seven year goal seeks to double the number of people giving in their wills which may well generate an additional $300 million of benefit for New Zealand charities.

Include A Charity Chair Dianne Armstrong says “many people can’t always give regularly, but planning a gift in a will is a very appealing way to show love and support for a charity’s work in a way that survives long after a person’s life.”

The Wellington City Mission is a member of Include A Charity, a group of over 55 charities who have come together to promote awareness around bequests in wills.

Not many people know just how easy it is to leave a charitable bequest in their will.

Many people think you have to be rich and famous to leave a bequest.

Include A Charity Week is about letting people know that bequests are for every day New Zealanders, and that a bequest of any amount is welcome.

By charities coming together to create the Include A Charity movement, they’re creating a ground swell of positive public awareness and helping create a larger pool of funds for good causes and charitable projects.

How to leave a gift in your Will, in 4 easy steps. A Will is the only way for you

to say how your money or assets should be used after your death. A Will also means less confusion and heartache for your loved ones in their time of grief.

1: After considering your family and friends, decide which charity or charities you would also like to help and benefit from your bequest.

2: Talk to your preferred charities. They can tell you about what they do and how your gift will allow them to continue their work. Detail their full name and registered charity number in your Will.

3: Speak to your solicitor/trust company/ financial advisor about making a Will, or

changing your existing Will to include a charity/charities.

4: Speak to your family and friends about your decision, so they can support the achievement of your charitable goals when the time comes.

You probably already have a few favourite charities you would like to assist after you have gone.

Visit the Include A Charity website to see who our charity members are and find the necessary information to leave them a gift. www.includeacharity.org.nz ADVERTISEMENT

22

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Health & Well-Being

Veterans’ support act considers claims differently Margaret Snow, RSA national support services advisor The long awaited Veterans’ Support Act has passed all the necessary steps in Parliament and received Royal Assent on 7 August 2014.

The provisions of the Act will commence from 7 December 2014 for Scheme 1, which covers all those who served in the New Zealand Forces up to 30 March 1974, plus a few others who were in Vietnam until 1975.

Scheme 2, which covers those who have served since 1 April 1974 will commence from 7 December 2015. This Act takes over from the War Pensions Act 1954, which had become seriously outdated. All claims made to Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand until midnight on 6 December 2014 will be dealt with under the 1954 Act including rights of review and appeal.

What will this mean for you as the person who served in the New Zealand Forces, or those of you who married a service person or who are or were partners with a service person? There will be some changes for those of you who served before April 1974, but these will mostly come if you make a claim for a new disability or you want to have an already accepted disability reassessed.

Claims for new disabilities will be considered differently and you as the claimant will be kept

informed of the progress of your claim. You should receive a decision on your claim within 30 working days after Veterans’ Affairs received it. However, if Veterans’ Affairs is waiting for further information to be supplied by you or someone else on your behalf then that period can be extended. This means that it is in your own interest to supply as much information as you possibly can along with your completed application form.

The steps for deciding your claim will be that all the material will be considered by Veterans’ Affairs and if it decides that you have provided enough information to show that your illness or disability was service-related your claim will move on to step two which is to look at your claim in relation to the Presumptive Lists if you have the appropriate operational service or the Australian Statements of Principle (SOP), of which there are over 300 covering a vast array of health concerns. (If you have access to the Internet you might wish to have a look at them at www.rma.gov.au/ SOP/main.htm).

Please note that you only need to satisfy ONE factor in the relevant SOP to be able to have your claim accepted if your disability or illness has been linked to your service. If there is no SOP

then your claim will be decided on whether a hypothesis that your current illness or disability is due to your service is reasonable and that it is more than a possibility and consistent with known facts.

Your claim will be declined if there are reasonable grounds for believing that your injury or illness is not service related. However, like now, you have the right, within six months, to go for a review of the decision you receive and then if you are not happy with the review decision you can go to the Veterans’ Entitlements Appeal Board.

There will be a new Code of Veterans’ and Other Claimants’ Rights, the purpose of which is to meet the reasonable expectations of veterans and other claimants – including the highest practicable standards of service and fairness – and how Veterans’ Affairs should deal with them.

It will also provide for procedures for lodging and dealing with complaints about breaches of the Code by Veterans’ Affairs and providing for consequences and remedies.

There is a huge amount more that I could tell you about the new legislation, but I could easily overwhelm you with a tsunami of information.

I can tell you that there will soon be a lot more

information on both the Veterans’ Affairs and RSA websites to help you with any questions you may have.

GOVERNMENT SUPERANNUATION FUND Did you join the Government Superannuation scheme prior to 1992? Was your spouse a member of the Government Superannuation scheme prior to 1992? Could they have been a member and you are not aware of whether they were or not?

When I came to New Zealand in 1991 and joined the then Department of Social Welfare I joined the scheme and moved it with me a year later to NZDF where I worked as a civilian. When I moved offshore in 1996 I cashed up the superannuation payments I had made for a lump sum.

Many of you will have done something similar, but I imagine that there are many more of you who paid into the scheme, it was compulsory for those in uniform for a period, and when you left the Service or the particular job you forgot about it and have never asked whether you are entitled to an annuity.

To page 24

Health & Well-Being

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

23

Oncology team dedicated to PATIENT Care For radiation therapist Anne Culleton the most satisfying part about working at Auckland Radiation Oncology at MercyAscot Hospital is being part of a team that is dedicated to great care for its patients.

“The patient care area is so important to me. We really try very hard to focus on individuals and I think because we are a small intimate department it means for our patients going through treatment that every day there is someone familiar they can see to support them,” says Culleton, who has over 30 years’ experience as a radiation therapist.

Auckland Radiation Oncology (ARO) is a joint venture between MercyAscot and Southern Cross Hospitals and is located on Mountain Road, central Auckland. It serves cancer patients from Cape Reinga to South Auckland, from children through to the elderly.

ARO uses the latest in radiation therapy imaging technology to provide treatment with the utmost of accuracy.

“To give an example, with our prostate patients we image them every day through their course of radiation to check their bowel is clear and out of the way. We carefully match imaging information to the tumour site and then we treat.”

She says as a result of the dynamic level and on-going interface between imaging and treatment she has noticed far fewer side effects and enhanced recovery for patients.

Treatment usually starts with a diagnostic CT scan and, if necessary the planning team, responsible for developing and managing the patients’ therapeutic journey may recommend a MRI or four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT).

Scanning using 4D allows treatment to be administered more precisely because the scan records not only the size and shape of the tumour but its movement. As a result radiation treatments can be delivered more precisely to

Radiation therapists set up a patient for treatment (top). Auckland Radiation Oncology (ARO) staff at MercyAscot Hospital. ARO is a joint venture between MercyAscot and Southern Cross Hospitals.

the tumour area with minimal radiation dose to nearby healthy tissue.

“We are able to administer much higher doses at a time while limiting side effects, which can

result in better local control of the cancer.”

Empowering patients with information pitched at a level they can cope with and understand is something Culleton says is essential.

“Right from the start, our bookings team are in touch with the patients, liaising about insurance and scheduling. About one week into treatment one of our radiation therapists or myself will take the patients through their treatment plan. We show them what is going on and give an explanation and this really helps to break down fear and a sense of being overwhelmed.”

“ARO offers a choice of care, and supports a cross-section of patients who have full health insurance and those that choose to pay for part or all of their treatment.”

It’s the little things, like taking the time to get to know patients personally and fitting in appointments around patients’ lifestyles that Culleton says make a huge difference to how the patient feels throughout. There is free parking on-site for patients and the quiet, peaceful environment patients enter when they step through ARO’s doors all contribute to a sense of calm.

Culleton describes radiation therapists as ‘genuinely people people’. As a radiation therapist you really have to be empathetic. You put yourself in that person’s shoes. It’s a really scary time so to be able to step outside of yourself, understand and feel how it must be for them is so important. We all carry that empathy here.”

Pointing to the fact that there is a tremendous amount of information accessible to people about cancer types and treatments she encourages everyone to arm themselves with information from a reputable source , such as the Cancer Society and ARO. “The Cancer Society website has lots of advice about healthy lifestyle choices. It’s important to research your family history, particularly with such common cancers as breast, bowel and prostate. People don’t always ask their family members about these issues.”

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Men: look after your prostate health by having regular GP checks Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among New Zealand men with about 3000 men diagnosed, and more than 600 dying from prostate cancer each year.

Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO, Graeme Woodside, says the campaign is now a wellestablished annual event. There is a whole raft of activities this year all designed to heighten our awareness of this deadly disease. “We want to encourage community groups, schools and clubs, such as RSAs to also get behind this year’s campaign and sell ribbons to support the Foundation” Graeme says.

“One in ten men will develop prostate cancer in their life time. The most important message we’re putting out is about how vital it is for men to look after their prostate health by having a regular check with their GP doctor. We call it getting your warrant of fitness, just like you

would for a car,” Graeme says.

For any man with a family history of the disease Graeme says checks should begin from 40 years of age and should be repeated annually.

“The statistics are alarming and compelling.

If your father had prostate cancer then you have a 2.5 times greater chance of developing it. If your brother has the disease then the chances are doubled. If your brother and an uncle have or had the disease then you are five times more likely to succumb and if your father, brother and uncle all have it then it’s virtually 100% likely you will develop it too.”

The most important thing for men to do is to first visit their GP and get their PSA levels read with a simple blood test. Even when there are no symptoms (and often the disease can be present and symptom-free), establishing a baseline PSA reading will help track any potential

development of problems because the GP has a history to work from. Men over 50 should also have an annual physical examination (or DRE) to check their prostate.

The Blue September campaign has attracted the support of high profile celebrities such as former Navy man and All Black Captain Buck Shelford and the Mad Butcher and Prostate Cancer Patron, Sir Peter Leitch. This year’s blue ribbons will be available for a gold coin donation. The money raised goes in three main directions. A significant amount goes into research and also provides support via the 0800 4 PROSTATE helpline and for wider education about prostate and testicular cancer.

Research into the disease is being undertaken at Otago and Auckland Universities and the

To page 24

This September many New Zealanders will be seen wearing blue ribbons showing their support for the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Blue September campaign for prostate cancer awareness.

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24 Health & Well-Being

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Stopping smoking will prolong your life Wi Peachey has done something extraordinary – after 40 years he has given up smoking.

Wi started smoking when he was 14, smoking over 20 a day. Wi also has COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

COPD is a chronic lung disease. Eighty percent of people with COPD – currently over 200,000 people over 45 in New Zealand - were smokers. It often goes undiagnosed in the early stages.

Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and phlegm. People often ignore these symptoms until they are severe. Whether you have mild or severe disease, it’s not too late to stop smoking to improve your breathing.

With World COPD Day approaching on 19 November, the Asthma Foundation is urging smokers and ex-smokers who have breathing difficulties to stop smoking and talk to their GP or contact the nearest asthma society.

“I ended up in hospital as I couldn’t breathe; I nearly died so that scared me,” says Wi. “That was what made me finally give up smoking.”

Even though some of Wi’s family are smokers, they are all rapt that he has quit, especially his children. “It was hard for a start, but not having smokes around has made it easy, it doesn’t worry me now,” says Wi. Dr Kyle Perrin, Wi’s respiratory specialist and Asthma Foundation medical director is also rapt. “Many patients think that because they have COPD there’s no point in giving up smoking. Stopping smoking is one of the few actions for COPD that will prolong your life – and when whanau is important as in Wi’s case, his decision to give up is a reason to celebrate.

Now Wi has given up smoking he says his COPD is easier to manage and he is able to get around a lot better. Healthwise he finds it so much easier to breathe.

The Asthma Foundation encourages people

World COPD Day is November 19. If you’re coughing Around 350 New Zealanders die each year of exposure to other people’s tobacco or breathless, ‘It’s not too late’ to stop smoking and because smoke. see your GP. including increased risk of developing diseases COPD facts and figures:

to not start smoking - If you are a smoker, you have a twenty percent chance of getting COPD. You also don’t know how much smoking you’ll need – some people with COPD were heavy smokers and for others they may have only smoked lightly when they were young – it’s all down to genes. So why take the risk?

The Asthma Foundation urges people to stop smoking. If you want help quitting, call the Quitline on 0800 778 778, or visit www. quit.org.nz.

Also if you have difficulty breathing or coughing then visit your doctor to get tested for COPD because early detection and management can slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. You can also contact your local asthma society or trust. Full details can be found onwww.asthmafoundation.org.nz

Smoking Facts Smoking has many negative health effects

such as: • stroke and heart disease • cancers of the lung, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and pancreas • diseases of the urinary tract, pelvis, bladder and digestive tract • blindness Smoking causes about 25% of all cancer deaths in New Zealand, and one out of every 10 deaths worldwide.

Around 5,000 New Zealanders die each year from smoking-related illnesses (4,700 from smoking and around 350 from second-hand smoke).

Second-hand smoke, where non-smokers breathe in the smoke of others around them, can cause heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, asthma and the worsening of asthma symptoms, eye and nasal irritation and nasal sinus cancer.

Exposure of non-smoking women to secondhand smoke during pregnancy can reduce foetal growth, and is also associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), has a substantial impact on the health of New Zealanders. Although often undiagnosed, it affects an estimated 15 percent of the adult population over the age of 45 years (at least 200,000 New Zealanders).

• More than 85 percent of the burden of COPD arises from tobacco smoking, with contributions from cannabis use and dust exposure in the workplace.

• COPD is the fourth leading cause of death after cancer, heart disease and stroke.

• COPD is an irreversible disease but is almost entirely preventable by avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke. Over 15 percent of all smokers are likely to become affected.

• COPD Is estimated to cost up to $192 million in direct health care costs each year.

• In 2011 COPD was responsible for an estimated 12,000 hospital admissions and over 50,000 bed days.

Govt super fund annuity entitlements From page 22 There are also many widows or widowers of those who paid into the pre 1992 Government Superannuation scheme who may not be aware that they could be entitled to 50% of the annuity their late husband or wife could have received after the age of 50 years.

If you were aware that your husband or wife was receiving a pre-1992 Government Superannuation before they died please ensure that you get in touch with the scheme’s administrators as soon as possible after the death to make the

appropriate claim for the spouse annuity. Please don’t leave this as it is not possible to from any other date than the date the application and Death certificate were received.

If you have any queries relating to the information provided above please contact Datacom, the GSF Schemes’ Administrator as follows: Datacom Employer Services Limited GSF Schemes Administration, P O Box 3614 Wellington 6140, New Zealand.

Free Phone: 0800 654 731. Email: gsf@ datacom.co.nz

Early detection key in prostate cancer fight From page 23 Foundation is also funding the development of a soft-ware package for GP’s to use when examining and testing their male patients.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand receives no funding from government and the Blue September campaign is one of the Foundation’s main sources of income.

For more information visit www.prostate.org.nz Awareness: • 3000 men are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer in NZ. • 600 die from metastatic/advanced prostate cancer each year in NZ. • Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in NZ and the 3rd most common cause of cancer death in men.

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26

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

RSA Life

New initiatives, new blood

Artillerymen reunion open to all gunners

Sue Russell Papakura RSA is a club whose fortunes are improving, according to Secretary/Manager Tom Sainsbury, who has been in his role since November last year.

Tom says, looking back in hindsight, it was beneficial for the club that he came from a non-club environment.

“It meant when I took up the role I looked at the club with fresh eyes and asked myself if the club’s model was really relevant to the era it operated in,” he says.

That question led him to introduce new initiatives, aimed at diversifying the membership base, bringing along with it new income streams.

Like many clubs Papakura RSA had been experiencing falling revenue from its two main sources, bar takings and gaming, so the new approach was to seize this as an opportunity and think outside the square.

Corporate membership was introduced, aimed especially at the local business community, bringing along with it a new cohort of members to the club.

“An added value of the corporate membership, at $300 per annum, was that we had the potential to sub-let out rooms in our club for them to use for meetings and social events. We currently have 25 corporate members, including our local ANZ branch, SpecSavers, Harcourts,

Papakura RSA, in conjunction with the Aronui Training Trust, has installed a Master Chef styled kitchen for students, making use of the largely unused basement area. The kitchen is due to open this month.

along with the local electrician and plumber.”

Then in another move to promote the club Sainsbury pursued the idea of creating an RSA brand beer. Discussions with Independent Liquor, again a local company, proved very positive resulting in ‘Forces Ale’.

“On top of the margins we get for every handle we sell an extra 5c comes back to the club to set aside for the 2015 Anzac Day celebrations. It’s been so popular that the company will soon be

introducing Forces Light and Forces Rum due out in November.”

Looking at some largely under-utilised space led to a whole new and exciting venture, as Sainsbury explains.

“We have very large premises, a first floor, ground floor and a basement. The basement was largely unused. One day I went down the

To page 29

We can’t even begin to imagine how hard it was to survive and how valuable it was to have a support organisation for veterans who had nowhere else to turn, Dreyer Royal New Zealand Artillery Colonel Commandant Barry Dreyer says of the formation of the RNZA Association 1934.

The organisation was formed to help former World War 1 artillerymen who had fallen on hard times during the Depression and to encourage support through comradeship.

Dreyer, a Vietnam veteran, says it continues to play a support role for members, but puts most of its effort into maintaining a strong communications network to ensure members stay in touch with one another and the changing artillery environment. “It’s about comradeship and support for those who have done their bit.”

New Zealand artillery units fought in both world wars, Korea and Vietnam. New Zealand artillerymen who have “served the guns” have the opportunity to celebrate the association’s 80th anniversary at a reunion in Wellington in November. Organiser David Weston, also a Vietnam veteran, said the reunion is an opportunity for artillerymen and their families to strengthen relationships and remember with pride the part they played.

The November 7-9 reunion at the West Plaza Hotel, Wellington is open to all gunners - serving or retired, Regular or Reserve. (See What’s On in RSA Life section for details).

Three new sections join up with NWA Three new sections – at Levin, Pukekohe and Silverdale (Auckland) – have joined the RNZRSA National Women’s Association (NWA) and their input will be welcomed, says NWA president Angel Erstich.

The NWA annual conference in Tauranga on June 15-16 was very successful, she says.

Next year’s conference and annual meeting will again be in Tauranga, on June 22-23.

At the Waikato/King Country/Bay of Plenty Women’s district meeting, hosted by the Te Arhoa section, in May, Brenda Smith stood down as president.

She had set up the district committee, had been on the NWA executive committee for five years, and is president of Mt Mauganui section.

Social development and local government minister Paula Bennett was the guest speaker.

The Northland district conference was hosted by the Warkworth section on July 21, the day after the Waihi section celebrated 75 years as RSA members.

Angel Erstich was there for the occasion and she has also visited Birkenhead, Tauranga, Te Aroha, Kaikohe, Kawakawa, Te Puke and Waihi Beach this year.

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Photo: Brenda Smith (left) and Angel Erstich (right) with MP Paula Bennett at the National Women’s Association Waikato/King Country/ Bay of Plenty district meeting at Te Aroha.

RSA Life

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

27

top team at the mount rsa Sue Russell Taking care of a vibrant RSA with a membership of 4635 is the responsibility of Peter Moss, General Manager of Mt Maunganui RSA and helping him is, as he describes it, “a terrific” team, a proactive President and executive, and wonderfully loyal members.

The Mt RSA has live entertainment every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, and is a very popular ‘dancing’ venue.

Next year promises to be an exciting time as a major refurbishment of the club’s popular restaurant gets underway.

“It will be a complete revamp of the restaurant and a new layout making it much more user-friendly.

“To top it off we have a ‘name the restaurant’ competition underway with more than 230 entries. The winner will be announced at our AGM in September,” Peter says.

The area between the separate dining room – Anzac Cove – and the main one will be opened up as well, assisting greatly with flow for patrons.

A new on-line weekly newsletter has been well-received. It’s a way for messages about the club’s many adjuncts and special news articles can be read at the push of a button.

Currently the newsletter is sent to nearly 700 members.

The Mount RSA has the largest women’s section in the country, with some 800 members. Peter says they do a wonderful job with catering for all sorts of functions.

Among the many clubs operating under the Mt RSA’s roof are the Service Clubs J and K Force, along with the ex-Royal Navelmen’s Association and the Battle of Crete Association.

Peter is very clear about the key elements his role entails.

“My most important responsibilities are to ensure, as much as I can, that our members are satisfied with the service of the staff, the quality of the food and that we look out for the general wellbeing of the people.”

Welfare, he says, is a very important part of Mt Maunganui RSA, so much so the club employs a support officer three days a week who is available to all members.

Since the 1980s the Mt RSA Charitable Welfare Trust awards annual bursaries to high achieving Mt Maunganui College Year 13 students who have family ties to the RSA. Next year Papamoa College will also be offered these bursaries as helping the next generation to achieve academic excellence is something the RSA is very proud of. The Trust also supports many benevolent organisations, local cadet forces, Hilton Sports Awards for young people and many service providers.

For the first time in the club’s history a woman

President has been at the helm for the past year.

President Carol Cook, an ex-service women, has instigated some great forward-looking initiatives during her tenure.

“I’ve been blessed to have worked alongside very high-calibre executive members during my time here,” Peter says.

Peter is also Chairman of WW1 Tauranga, a group set up to steer centenary celebrations and to link with Council and other organisations.

Build-up to the big year has already started.

In early June WW1 Tauranga advertised for the children of WW1 soldiers to attend a special day hosted at the Mount RSA; an opportunity for them to meet other children of those who fought in the Great War, share stories, photos and memorabilia.

“We thought maybe we might get 20 or so along but we ended up hosting 140 at the event.”

Like many Associations around the country Mt Maunganui RSA plans to make 2015 a fitting tribute to the great sacrifices our troops gave to secure this Nation and its future generations.

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New Zealand Defence Medal recipients (from left): Jim Thompson (7thCMT), Russell Harvey (32 CMT), Vaughan Carter (TF and RF), Sonia Buckingham (NZ Navy), medal presenter Col E.B. Anderson, Bernie Carter (TF), Te Rangi Te Ariki (TF), John Winter (RF), Ben Maruariki (TF), Ian Blackler (2nd CMT).

Porirua mayor Nick Leggett presented the City of Porirua Cadet Unit with a formal charter and a patch depicting the city colours during a ceremony on Queen’s Birthday Monday.

Cadets granted Freedom of City The City of Porirua Cadet Unit has been granted the Freedom of the City by the Porirua City Council.

The formalities were completed on Queen’s Birthday Monday in a mixture of traditional pomp and pageantry involving local TS Taupo Sea Cadet Corps and 41 (City of Porirua) Squadron Air Training Corps, along with cadets from Upper Hutt. The Porirua RSA and the 7th Battalion Band provided support.

Porirua mayor Nick Leggett presented the unit with a formal charter and a patch depicting the city colours, which will be worn behind the corps badge on cadets’ berets.

On January 24, 1985, the Porirua City Council approved the formation of a cadet unit within the city area. The unit, which had its first parade on Labour Day 1985, was the first New Zealand Cadet Corps community unit. Until then, all units had been controlled by the equivalent of a college board of trustees.

The unit is a member of the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) and is for boys and girls, aged 13 to 18.

28

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

What’s On MONTHLY/TWO-MONTHLY AUCKLAND BRANCH, CMT/NS ASSOCIATION INC Meets monthly on third Tuesday, 1100 hours, New Lynn RSA. Keen to welcome new members to enjoy friendship and camaraderie, fun and laughter, and perhaps stay for a light lunch. Guest speakers, outings, bus trips with wives, partners and girlfriends. Most members attend Anzac Day parades; group also parades as a unit at the Auckland Naval Base, HMNZS Philomel, for the annual Armistice Day memorial service to pay tribute and lay a wreath at the memorial wall. Contact: Mark Sinclair, president, 09 534 8138; Malcolm Baird, vice-president 09 2676557; Brian Caltaux, secretary, 09 4209794.

09 827 3411CMT ASSOCIATION, SOUTH AUCKLAND BRANCH Meeting, second Saturday of month, Papakura RSA. Ex-CMT and National Servicemen welcome to join.

Contact: John Bennetts, jandsbennetts@ xtra.co.nz; 09 2986847.

ITALY STAR ASSOCIATION (CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH) 2014 meetings,18 Oct, 29 Nov (luncheon) 1.30pm, Cashmere Club, 88 Hunter Tce, Christchurch. New members (veterans, family members, historians) welcome.

Contact: Peter Scott, chairman, 27 Kenwyn Ave, St.Albans, Christchurch 8052; 03 3556732; peter.judy@actrix.co.nz.

NEW ZEALAND BRANCH, ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION 2014 meetings, 2 Oct, 14 Dec, 2pm, Pt Chevalier RSA, Auckland. Full membership to serving or former RM, RMR and RN, HM Forces RM units, family members, Royal Marines Cadets. Contact: Peter Collins, 634 PapakuraClevedon Road, Ardmore RD2, Papakura 2582; 09 2967648; 0211 417119. peter-collins@xtra. co.nz; http://www.royalmarinesassociation. org/nz/rma_nz_home.html

RNZEME CORPS DAY REUNION 28-30 Nov,

Taradale RSA, Napier. All ex-members of any RNZEME unit welcome. Organising committee: Tig Lima, Spanners McLelland, George Purvis, Gary (Sooty) McCullough, Murray Pilmer. Contact: Murray Pilmer, secretary/treasurer, 19 Ranfurly St, Napier 4112, 027 2819014, murray.pilmer@xtra.co.nz.

2015 January AIR FORCE AND FLEET AIR ARM VETERANS 16-18 Jan (Wellington Anniversary weekend) , Wings Over Wairarapa Air Show. Plans to be finalised, but benefits should be as at previous airshows. If interested, forward name, address, unit, name of caregiver, and intended day of attending to: Reg Wellington, 18B Ruihi St, Rotorua; 07 3462922; poneke@ihug.co.nz.

Friday evening: Meet’n’greet. Saturday: Leisure activities, dinner. Sunday: Short, commemorative service.

Details: Reunion website www.41sqnreunion2015. org.nz.

June RNZRSA NATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE & ANNUAL MEETING 22-23 Jun, Tauranga RSA. Contact: Deidre Rich 09 8343998; richfamily@xtra.co.nz.

November RNZN ENGINE ROOM BRANCH REUNION (PROPOSED) 6-8 Nov, Napier. Expressions of interest. Contact: Dennis Zachan, 12 Norrie Place,Tamatea, Napier; 06 8442201; 021 673242.

2016 23 INTAKE RNZAF AIRMAN CADET SCHOOL/5 CET 5OTH ANNIVERSARY 19-21 Feb. Contact:

HMNZS CANTERBURY REUNION – ALL COMMISSIONS 26-28 Sep, Tauranga RSA. Register

BRITISH AIRBORNE FORCES (NZ) INC Are

NOVEMBER R O YA L N E W Z E A L A N D A R T I L L E R Y ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REUNION & 80th AGM 7-9 Nov, West Plaza Hotel, Wakefield St, Wellington. Open to all gunners, serving or retired, Regular or Reserve. Activities will include annual dinner, commemorative service, visit to place of gunner interest, annual meeting, opportunities to socialise and reminisce. Reunion details and registration forms available: Royal New Zealand Artillery Association website (http://www.rnzaa. org.nz/the-rnza-association/muzzle-flashes) and download registration form. Registrations close: 30 September. Information: The Secretary, RNZA Association, c/- 18 Walford St, Rotorua 3010. Contact: David Weston 04 9384060; Barry Dreyer 09 3075692.

Rd, Waihi 3610, 07 8633318, 021 2516220, goddz@ xtra.co.nz. Frank Robb, 14/57 Enfield St, Hamilton 3200, 07 8644246.

who served with Commonwealth forces or police in Malaya/Malaysia/Borneo or Singapore. Contact: Barry Allison, 6 Coldstream Rd, Gisborne 4010; 06 8677284; bazbarbzinggizzie@xtra.co.nz.

HOROWHENUA ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION – LEVIN 50th year, seeking new members - gun-

OX & BUCKS LI, KINGS ROYAL RIFLE CORPS, RIFLE BRIGADE AND ROYAL GREEN JACKETS

ners, ex-gunners, associated corps. Meets May and September to celebrate Gunners’ Day and El Alamein Day, lunch, Levin RSA. Contact: Adam Gibson, 34 Gordon Place, Levin; 06 3684187.

bers, historians. Contact: Peter Scott, chairman, 27 Kenwyn Ave, St Albans, Christchurch 8052; 03 3556732; peter.judy@actrix.co.nz.

CALLS TO JOIN

have served as a Wren or as a female member of the Royal New Zealand Navy, or any navies of the Commonwealth or World War 2 allies, you are invited to register your interest in this reunion. Contact: Margaret Snow, 04 8949183; margarets@rsa.org.nz, or, Marie Reille, 06 3638993; marieandjeff@xtra.co.nz.

NEW ZEALAND MALAYAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION INC Welcomes new members

41 SQUADRON RNZAF ASSOCIATION BIENNIAL REUNION 27-29 Mar, Wellington. The

SEPTEMBER

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION 17-19 Oct, Wellington. If you

HMNZS LACHLAN 1949–53 FIRST TWO COMMISSIONS 60th ANNIVERSARY, FINAL REUNION Contact: Keith Goddard, 4 Kimberley

St, Pukekohe 2120, 09 2392698, edaustin38@gmail. com.

ITALY STAR ASSOCIATION (CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH) New members, veterans, family mem-

2014

OCTOBER

1 Jan 1958 and have been awarded appropriate medallic recognition. Membership details: Douglas Callander, secretary, 23 Longcroft Tce, Newlands, Wellington 6037; 04 4783238; 04 4783602 (fax); callanderd@clear.net.nz.

March

Dave Bryant, davebryant@telus.net; https://sites. google.com/site/23intakeairmancadetschoolrn zaf/home.

expressions of interest to: Bill Newell, 82 Twin Oak Ave, Papamoa 3118; 07 5421412; newell1@ outlook.co.nz.

EX-R AF HALTON, R AF LO CKING OR R A F C R A N W E L L A I RC R A F T, R N Z A F APPRENTICES. Contact: Ed Austin, 67/46 Beresford

(or were) you para-Trained? Would you like to meet other ex-(or even current) paras, from the Parachute Regiment, SAS, or from the supporting arms - engineers, signals, medics, artillery etc? Would you like to help maintain the Airborne spirit around the world, and particularly in New Zealand? We meet regularly in Northern (Auckland to Taupo), Central (Taupo to Wellington) and Southern (South Island).

Full membership - all ranks of Parachute Regiment, SAS, supporting arms, and those with special service to British Airborne Forces; associate membership immediate family; affiliate membership - those in airborne units of other countries. Contact: Frank Clark, president, 04 2336123. Roy Tilley, secretary, 04 5660850, rmt@xtra.co.nz. Website, www.britishairbornenz.tripod.com.CMT ASSOCIATION CHRISTCHURCH INC Anyone who took part in Compulsory Military Training or National Service welcome to meet at the Papanui RSA. Variety of activities monthly. Contact: Alison Smith, secretary, 21 Kearneys Rd, Bromley, Christchurch 8062, 03 9817623, legles@paradise.net.nz

J FORCE ASSOCIATION, WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY BRANCH Meets third Wednesday of month at Mt Maunganui RSA. Warm welcome to visitors and keen to hear about other branches.

Membership: 19 veterans, 22 wives and widows.

Activities: Christmas dinner, quarterly 8 ball competition, short trips. Contact: President, Ron Browne, 07 5758916; ronaldbrowne@xtra.co.nz.

MOUNTED TROOPERS ASSOCIATION North IIsland branch of Royal NZ Armoured Corps Association. The $25 annual subscription fee includes membership of both the MTA and the RNZAC. Anyone who is serving or has served in RNZAC units in any way is eligible join - the only criteria is that you must have worn the ‘Black Beret’. Spouses of deceased eligible personnel are welcome. The MTA aims to bring former comrades together again through national reunions, members’ birthdays, funerals, unveilings, and regimental occasions to which the association is invited. Managed by a six-person trust board - Chris Cooper (chairman), Bob Williams (secretary), Christine Campbell (treasurer), Doug Morrow, Geoff Kreegher and Colin Campbell. Prospective members in New Zealand should contact nearest troop co-ordinator; if you’re overseas, contact the MTA secretary. Contacts: Secretary, Bob Williams, P.O. Box 384, Thames 3540, New Zealand; +64 7 8686506; bw.crescent@xtra. co.nz. Troop co-ordinators, Auckland: Moa Larkins, P.O.Box 300014, Albany, Auckland 752; manofaction@slingshot.co.nz. Waikato/Bay of Plenty:Chris Cooper, cooppen@xtra.co.nz; 07 5444917. Hawke’s Bay: Willie Walker, 19 Pania Place, Parklands Estate, Napier; willieanddenise@hotmail.co.nz. Taranaki: Lenny Robinson, LENR@xtra.co.nz; 06 7638594.

Central/Soputhern North Island: Stew Couchman, blongami@xtra.co.nz; 06 3258593.

NEW ZEALAND BATTLE OF CRETE ASSOCIATION Contact: Deirdre Hauschild, c/- Mount Maunganui RSA, P.O.Box 4011, Mount Maunganui South 3116; 07 5764362; dee.hauschild@ gmail.com.

NEW ZEALAND BRANCH, ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION Meets two-monthly, 2pm, Pt

welcome. Meets monthly, 2nd Saturday, Papakura RSA. Contact: John Bennetts, jandsbennetts@xtra. co.nz; 09 2986847.

Chevalier RSA, Auckland. Full membership to serving or former RM, RMR and RN, HM Forces RM units, family members, Royal Marines Cadets.

Contact: Peter Collins, 634 Papakura-Clevedon Rd, Ardmore R.D.2, Papakura 2582; 09 2967648; 021 1417119; peter-collins@xtra.co.nz; www.royalmarinesassociation.org/nz/rma_nz_home.html.

CMT ASSOCIATION SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH Ex-CMT and National Servicemen

NEW ZEALAND KOREA VETERANS ASSOCIATION INC Veteran membership available

CMT ASSOCIATION SOUTH AUCKLAND BRANCH Ex-CMT and National Servicemen

welcome. Contact: Bruce Townshend, 14 Ewen Rd, Temuka 7920; 03 6156637; Temuka-RSA@xtra.co.nz.

to NZDF members who have completed a posting in the United Nations Military Commission since

All past members of RGJ and former regiments invited. Contact: Frank Jones, 09 4766974.

RAF CHANGI ASSOCIATION Includes HQ FAR EAST AIRFORCE , seeks NZ members ex RAF or RNZAF, who served at RAF Changi 194671. Contact: B W Lloyd, 32 Redwood, Burnham, Bucks, SL1 8JN, UK.

REGULAR FORCE CADET ASSOCIATION (INC) Provides contact between ex-cadets and enables them to re-establish contacts. Membership: $10 a year (July 1-June 30). Contact: Secretary, RF Cadet Association, P.O.Box 715, Paraparaumu 5032; www.rfcadet,org.nz.

RNZAF COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE GRADUATES The New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College has formed an alumni association. Records of previous associations’ members were misplaced during move from Whenuapai to Trentham in 2004. Contact is if you wish to join, would like latest information, or wish to re-connect with former colleagues and course members. Contact: Alumni secretary NZDF CSC, Trentham Military Camp, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140; 04 5271008; 04 5271009 (fax); csc.alumni@nzdf.mil.nz.

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY ASSOCIATION, CANTERBURY BRANCH All who served in RNZN or Commonwealth navies, and their partners, welcome. Monthly meetings, regular social get-togethers, ship visits, four newsletters a year.

Contact: Miles McIlraith (ex-RNZN), treasurer, 4987 State Highway 75, R.D., Little River 7591; 03 3251937; 03 3251936 (fax).

SOUTH AFRICAN MILITARY VETERANS OF AUSTRALASIA (SAMVOA) All who served in uniform in South Africa and now live in New Zealand are invited to join. SAMVOA, which is running in Australia, is intended to preserve memories, and commemorate those who were injured, and fell in action. Attends Remembrance Day and Anzac Day parades, and regular meetings. Information and application form: Chris Pattison, 021 2316612; ytrose@vodafone.co.nz.

THE NEW ZEALAND MALAYA VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION welcomes new members who served with Commonwealth Forces or Police in Malaya/Malaysia/Borneo or Singapore. Contact: Barry Allison, 6 Coldstream Rd, Gisborne 4010, 06 8677284; bazbarbzingizzie@xtra.co.nz; www. malaya.vets.co.nz.

THE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION Seeking members to rekindle their activity with the association. Regular meetings at Papanui RSA, Christchurch.

Send rank, name, address, phone number and e-mail address to: Frank Newsome, 107a Langdons Rd, Papanui Christchurch 8053; 03 3525471; frankandaudrey@clear.net.nz.

TS VINDICATRIX ASSOCIATION Ex-Vindicatrix boys – those who served on the training ship – invited to join the association’s Lower North Island branch. Write: Arthur Woolard, 21 Pohutukawa Drive, R.D.1, Levin 5571.

RSA Life

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

29

Club, council beat LICENCE impasse Sue Russell One RSA in this country has found a way to reconcile the now more stringent rules around obtaining special licences by thinking outside the square, resulting in a much brighter and more secure future for the club.

Current manager and long-time patron of Paraparaumu RSA, Don Trevethick, is excited and positive about how the club has ‘stuck in there’ through some fairly tough moments to find, with the support of Kapiti Coast District Council, a way to continue to open the club’s doors in the future to hosting functions – a resolution he says is having a positive impact on the financial viability of the once struggling club.

“We carry a long and proud history of connection to this community and to think that our very future was threatened to the point where we may have had to close our doors was what spurred us to source other ways to resolve the dilemma,” says Don. As it stood under the tight interpretation the local Council was attaching to what ‘core activity’ of the club really meant, the council effectively stopped the RSA promoting functions to non-members.

“The Kapiti Coast District Council’s environmental health staff claimed that a licenced club like ours was exceeding the intent of our RSA role by encouraging non-members to functions where too many special licences were required,” explains Chris Turver, club President.

The Council, he says, held concerns that the RSA was expanding outside its current existing use rights and in doing so, was also in danger of breaching the Sales and Supply of Liquor Act. “It got to the point that it (the council) effectively put a clamp on further advertising by saying that special licence applications would only be considered in future if they were compatible with our existing use rights – undertaking activities related to the club and its membership and not the general public,” says Chris.

Photos: Paraparaumu RSA bar crew Corynn, Sam and Sarah (above left): Right: Achilles Restaurant’s Donna and Dia.

The RSA sought advice from the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association along with Clubs New Zealand and in the end the club decided to work directly with the Kapiti Coast District Council.

“We pointed out that really little had changed in terms of how we had always operated in the community.”

Since establishing in the 1920’s the club had always been a community asset. Its status as a not-for-profit organisation remained unaltered and its history pointed to the fact that it had always regularly held functions involving non-members.

“Anzac day, when we invited the whole community to have breakfast and a drink had never

Student kitchen project cause for celebration From page 26 road and knocked on the door of the Aronui Training Trust, which offers hospitality training courses for school-leavers. I asked them if they might be interested to use the basement space and they jumped at the chance.”

From that conversation has come a wonderful project – building a Master Chef standard kitchen with all the bells and whistles.

“Ten student ovens and cooking spaces have been installed along with a master tutor’s oven, TV and Video facilities. It’s really very exciting.

The kitchen opens this month.”

Sainsbury believes this kind of project in an RSA is a real cause for celebration and runs true to what modern-day RSA’s are striving to reflect.

“Our fathers and grandfathers went off and fought for the right to freedom and to secure that freedom for future generations to give

them the opportunities so many of them made the ultimate sacrifice for.”

And in a very practical sense the students have become a part of the RSA as well, serving 800 guests breakfast on Anzac day this year.

All the initiatives that have been introduced to the club could not have happened without the understanding and support of the club’s executive Sainsbury says.

“They recognised we had to pull our socks up and think in new ways.

“At the end of the day we are in the hospitality industry and if you just keep on running things the way you always have then you will not have a very bright future.”

Papakura RSA has adopted the goal to become the best club and function centre in South Auckland by giving excellent service at competitive prices in a safe environment where people can socialise.

drawn a complaint from the Council, nor had there ever been a public complaint. Especially though, we stressed the effect on our income since the clamp on advertising for public functions from October 2013 and just how dire the situation had become.”

With very much an attitude of “how can we fix this” the council’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer suggested the RSA look seriously at applying for a resource consent, to “once and for all give the club the right to have non-members at functions”.

“The Council was supportive of finding a resolution to the point that they said they would do all they could to fast-track an application and reduce costs.”

Just 12 weeks later, on 16 May this year, the Council granted a resource consent which listed as a primary activity of the Paraparaumu RSA to operate as a function centre.

“We understand we are the first RSA in the country and possibly any type of club to get such a resource consent. Since the resource consent was granted we’re very much back in business with advertising underway and good advance bookings.”

Having pioneered this process Don and Chris are keen that other clubs, affected by the current difficulties in obtaining special licences, learn from the RSA’s experience.

“If it can happen for us, it may well point the way forward for other clubs to pursue.”

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Visit www.ecomist.co.nz or call 0800 75 75 78

30

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Local RSAs Kaikohe & District Memorial RSA (Inc)

Northland

Northern Wairoa RSA Club

We are open everyday from 11am

All Visitors Most Welcome

Clubrooms open 11am Meals: Thurs Fri & Sat 6-8pm Light Lunches: Always available Catering on request 09 439 8164

KAITAIA FAR NORTH (Kaitaia) RSA CLUB

Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia When visiting the Far North you are welcomed to visit our Clubrooms where comfort and friendship is assured.

Billiards - Snooker - Pool - Bowls - Darts

Pleasant lounge and excellent bar facilities

• • • • •

Sky TV TAB Pod Gaming Machines Pool Tables Courtesy Van Available

11am - 11.30pm Sun 1pm - 9pm

“Friendliest Club in Town” 158 Broadway, Kaikohe Ph 09 401 2368 Fax 09 401 2370 kaikohersa@xtra.co.nz “Look us up on Facebook”

Visitors always welcome ANY CHANGES TO CLUB ADVERTS OR CLASSIFIED ADVERTS PLEASE CONTACT DAVE McKEE Ph: 03 983 5518 Fax: 03 983 5552 Email:davem@waterfordpress.co.nz

Hours 11am-10pm, Mon to Sat. Noon-6pm Sun

Family Restaurant - Meals Wed Thurs Friday and by arrangement.

Courtesy Coach Available Please phone (09) 408 0423

WHANGAREI THE HUB OF THE CITY

Warmly welcomes visitors to our Clubrooms at 7 Rust Ave Bar Service 7 days Snooker, Pool, Darts, Gaming Courtesy Coach Bistro Wed to Fri 12-2 & 5-8p.m.

Saturday 6-8p.m.

PH 09 438 3792 admin@whangareirsa.co.nz

www.whangareirsa.co.nz

AUCKLAND

HOBSONVILLE

114 Hobsonville Road • Ph: 09 416 7227 Restaurant Ph: 09 416 9239 • E: hobbyrsa@xtra.co.nz

28 Neville St Warkworth Ph 09 425 8568 Opening Hours 11am Mon - Sat 3pm Sun Gunners' Restaurant

Lunch 12 - 1.30pm Wed- Fri Dinner 5 - 8.30pm Thurs-Sat Full Bar Facilities 18 Pokies * Mystery J/P * Sky Tv * Pool * Snooker * Darts * Bowls

Live Entertainment & Dancing every Friday evening.

Call in on your way north & view our memorabilia tables - A warm welcome awaits you

RUSSELL RSA 1 Chapel St Russell 0202 Ph: 09 403 7773 Fax: 09 403 7885Email: russellrsa@xtra.co.nz www.russellrsa.org.nz

OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 11AM TILL CLOSE

Diggers Restaurant open 7 days Lunch & Dinner Bar snacks available Pool, Darts, Gaming Machines Huge outdoor courtyard

Come and enjoy our clubrooms while holidaying in historical Russell We will make you welcome

Ph 09 407 8585 37 Cobham Road

KERIKERI

RSA (Inc) Visitors and Guests Most Welcome Bistro Wed-Sun 5.30 - 8.30pm

Open Seven Days

Meals Our spacious Restaurant allows us to cater for up to 200 people at any one time Lunch open from Wednesday - Sunday 12 - 2pm Dinners Wednesday - Saturday 5 - 8.30pm Sunday Buffet 5 - 7.30pm We have large outdoor garden area, Big Screen for major games, Sky T.V., pool, bowls, darts, cards, fishing, golf, quiz.

663 SWANSON RD - PH 833 9013

A warm invitation is extended TO RSA members & Guests to the friendliest RSA in the West

SILVERDALE

The Orpheus Restaurant Open Thurs - Sat lunch 12 - 2 pm, dinner 5.30 - 8pm Bus Trip Lunches phone Rona Major Games on Big Screen or Weekend Entertainment Snooker - Pool - Darts - Warriors Supporters Section

We have excellent facilities for reunions and other functions NEW RETURNED AND SERVICE MEMBERS WELCOME. Inquiries to Sec/Manager 09 636 6644 PO Box 13016, Onehunga

Glen Eden RSA

43A Vipond Rd, Whangaparaoa, Turn off at top of Silverdale Hill onto Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Vipond Rd is 2.7km on left A special welcome to members of clubs with reciprocal visiting rights to use our club facilities. Comfort & friendship is assured

9 Glendale Rd West Auckland Ph: 09 818 4219 Web: www.glenedenrsa.co.nz

Open: 11am Mon-Sat. Noon on Sun

We are better than the rest. We are the friendliest in the West

Meals Lunch: Tues - Fri. Dinner: Thurs - Sun. Entertainment: Fri & Sat.

Family Restaurant Hrs Lunch: 12-2pm, Tues-Sat. 12.30pm-2pm Sun Dinner 5.30-8.30pm Wed-Sat, 5.30-7.30pm Tues & Sun Note Sunday Lunch & Dinner Carvery

RSA

A warm welcome is assured to all members and visitors.

Special welcome to local and out of town visitors.

Open Tues - Thurs from 2pm. Fri - Sun from Midday.

• Restaurant open Fri - Sun lunch, Wed - Sun Dinner.

Excellent meals at reasonable prices.

• Live entertainment last Friday of each month.

• Quiz Nights 7pm 3rd Thursday of every month.

Car Boot Sale last Sunday of every month 8am, sellers $8 • Excellent Bar staff & service • Large car park. Easy bus turnnig • Coach Tours welcome - advance booking essential • Facilities available for function hire • Other facilities include darts, pool, indoor bowls & fishing club

THE SMALL RSA WITH THE BIG HEART

Bus trips catered for by request.

Entertainment & Dancing Fri & Sat night Snooker * Pool * Indoor Bowls * Fishing *Outdoor Bowls * Golf and Darts* Gaming Machines Raffles: Wed, Thurs

Contact Sec/Manager Sue East 09 424 9026 Fax: 09 424 2446

Ph 09 846 8673 1136 Great North Rd

Affiliated Members and Guests Most Welcome Restaurant, Family Karaoke Sundays from 1pm Functions venue available email admin@ptchevrsa.co.nz

Friday night raffles, Entertainment Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun

ORAKEI RSA

Ph: 09 528 6245 & 09 521 2710

(Members)

Hours: Mon : 12-7.30pm. Tues:11am-8pm

Wed: 11-9pm. Thurs & Fri: 11-11pm. Sat: 11-9pm. Sun: 2-7pm.

Bistro Lunch Tues-Fri 12-2pm. Evening Thurs-Fri 6-8pm Function room bookings for catering.

Sports sections, gaming machines ,Sky TV, big screen TV Handy to city centre, Ellerslie Race Course, Kelly Tarlton Underwater World, Eastern suburbs, Mission Bay, St Helliers, Remuera etc.

HOWICK RSA

Phone: 09 534 9702 • 25 Wellington St Howick

When visiting Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs call into our pleasant clubrooms and enjoy our hospitality

IN THE  OF HOWICK

BIRKENHEAD RSA

WARKWORTH & DISTRICTS RSA Inc

MEMORIAL RSA

Hours Mon toThurs 11am - 11pm. Fri & Sat

Restaurant hours Mon and Thurs 6.00 -7.45pm or by arrangement Membership Night on Monday

Hokianga Rd Dargaville Ph: 09 439 8164

SWANSON

Recreation Dr, Birkenhead, North Shore Ph: 09 418 2424 Fax: 09 418 3054 Email: secman@birkenheadrsa.com www.birkenheadrsa.com We welcome all RSA members & their guests to enjoy the friendly atmosphere & excellent facilities at our clubrooms

Clubrooms Open Sat - Mon 11am Tues - Fri 9 am Bar Open 7 Days from 11am Don Stott Memorial Restaurant

Provides excellent ecconomical A la Carte meals Wed-Friday 12 -2pm Wed-Sunday from 5.30pm. Groups by arrangement

Live Entertainment

Wed: 1.30-4pm. Fri & Sat: from 7.00pm Pool * Darts * I/D Bowls * TAB Large Screen Sky * Gaming Machines Tea/Coffee & light Meals anytime

ALL NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

WAIHEKE RSA

Fridays & Saturdays from 7 pm DINE & DANCE LIVE MUSIC www.howickrsa.co.nz INC

29 Belgium Street, Ostend

Clubrooms and Bar Open 7 Days Restaurant Open 6 Days, closed Monday Take advantage of the free transport to our doorstep for Super Gold Card holders.

Spoil yourselves with a trip to our wonderful Island and enjoy our hospitality.

Ph: (09) 372 9019 Bar: (09) 372 5554

Restaurant: (09) 372 6655 E-mail: waiheke.rsa@xtra.co.nz

HENDERSON RSA

66-70 Railside Ave Ph (09) 838 9012 www.hsnrsa.co.nz

Service with a smile, and bar prices better than most.

18 gaming machines, self service TAB, Housie every Thursday, live entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings, 4 snooker tables, 3 pool tables and 8 competition dart boards. 5 big screen TV’s.

Whatever you’re interested in we’ve got it covered, visit us today!

Mt Wellington Panmure RSA 163 Queens Rd, Panmure

Ph: 09 570 5913 Fax: 09 570 5903 Email secrsa@vodafone.co.nz Bar Menu Seven Days. Bus loads by arrangement.

Live Entertainment every 2nd Friday

Darts - Pool - Snooker - Gaming Machines - Courtesy coach available for local pick-ups / drop-offs When in Auckland Visit our Friendly Club.

NEW LYNN

Memorial RSA (Inc)

2 Veronica St Ph: 09 827 3411 Where a friendly welcome is assured. A must stopover when visiting Auckland BAR & TAB FACILITIES Open 7days Gaming Facilities FREYBERG RESTAURANT Lunches: Tues-Sun 12-2pm, Dinner: Wed-Sat 5.30pm open

Band Friday Nights Handy to rail & bus. Shop in New Lynn & relax in our spacious clubrooms

The Best in the West

PAPATOETOE DISTRICT RSA (Inc)

22 Wallace Rd Ph: 09 278 6372 Email: papatoetoersa@xtra.co.nz Bar Hours Mon 11am -7.30pm Tues, Wed: 11am - 10pm Thurs: 11am - 10.30pm Fri: 11am - 10pm Sat: 11am - 11pm Sun: noon - 7pm BISTRO Lunch: Tues -Fri 12-1.00pm Dinner: Tues 6pm - 7.30pm Thurs Fri Sat 6pm - 8.00pm. Ph: 09 278 6374

(Hours may vary without prior notice) Social Nights with live bands: Thurs & fortnightly Saturday.

Family Nights - have entertainment on the second Friday of the month and starting in mid-July on Friday nights, Housie, Trivia and Karaoke

Snooker Gaming Machines 8 Ball I/D Bowls Darts Sky Tv

Whether you are going to or from the Airport or just passing through pop in & spend a relaxing & friendly time with us.

We Are Your Airport Club

AVONDALE RSA Overlooking the Racecourse

Come & visit your mates. A friendly Welcome Assured

MEALS Lunch: Mon to Fri Dinner: Everynight Entertainment: Thursday, Friday and Sunday Evenings If you are in town give us a call. Ph: 09 828 5000

EAST COAST BAYS RSA (Inc)

15 Bute Road Browns Bay Ph: 09 478 8033 North of the Harbour Bridge

When heading north, staying or visiting the North Shore, stop at East Coast Bays RSA Lunches Tues-Sat 12-2pm.Dinner Wed Carvery 6-8pm Thurs-Sat 6-8.30pm Sun from 5.30pm VISIT OUR CLUBROOMS Open: Mon-Sat from 11am Sun 2-8pm

Dancing Fri & Sat 7.30pm

Coach tours welcome by arrangement

Darts * Pool * Snooker Housie * I/d Bowls * Dinning & Dancing A warm welcome to all members & their guests

ANY CHANGES TO CLUB ADVERTS OR CLASSIFIED ADVERTS PLEASE CONTACT DAVE McKEE Ph: 03 983 5518 Fax: 03 983 5552 Email:davem@waterfordpress.co.nz

31

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Local RSAs MANUREWA

OTOROHANGA MEMORIAL

2-8 Maich Road, Manurewa Phone: 09 267 0515 Office & Fax : 09 266 8673

Now located in The Otorohanga Club, Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga Open 9am Monday to Saturday, 11am Sunday

RSA (Inc)

Lunches: Tues-Sun 12-2pm Dinners: Wed-Sun 5.30-8.30pm Sun: from 5.30pm Anzac Bar: Entertainment every Fri-Sat-Sun Darts : Snooker : 8 Ball : Bowls: Sky Tv : Gaming : TAB

President Graham & members extend the hand of friendship to you & yours and invite local & out of town visitors to our friendly new RSA Clubrooms

All new members most welcome

WAIKATO / KING COUNTRY / bAY OF PLENTY

TE AROHA MEMORIAL RSA (Inc) Rewi Street

Ph 07 884 8124

Club open from Mon 3pm- Tues - Sat 2pm, Meals Available Thurs, Fri, Sat from 6pm A warm, friendly welcome awaits you

VISITORS CORDIALLY WELCOME

OPOTIKI COUNTY RSA INC When passing through Opotiki call in and enjoy our hospitality.

We are the Gateway to East Cape Club Hours: Mon-Sat 1pm till late Sun 2pm till late Meals + Bar Snacks 7 days Membership draw nights Wed, Fri, Sat. Snooker - Pool - Indoor Bowls - Darts St John Street, OPOTIKI. Phone (07) 315 6174

NGARUAWAHIA RSA (Inc)

4 Market St, P: 07 824 8905, E: ngaruawahiarsa@vodafone.co.nz

Friendly social atmosphere. Entertainment including live music, raffles, quizzes. Children welcome till 9:30pm. Pool, Snooker, Darts, Gaming Machines, Sky TV, Courtesy Van

Bar hours: Tues-Sat 12pm until late Restaurant hours: Tues-Sat 12-2pm & 6pm until late

MT MAUNGANUI

RETURNED & SERVICES ASSOCIATION (INC) 544 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui THE NEW GENERATION RSA

Clubrooms open 7 days Mon/Tues 10.00am-9.00pm Wed/Thurs 11.00am-10.00pm Fri/Sat 11.00am-11.00pm Sunday noon-8.00pm

Restaurant open 7 days Lunch: Mon/Fri Noon-1.30pm Dinner: Mon/Sat 6.00-8.00pm Sunday: Carvery 5.30pm-7.30pm

Entertainment every Friday & Saturday night, Sundays from 4.00pm Regular Shows.

TAB, 18 Gaming Machines, 3 Eight Ball & 8 Snooker Tables, Sky TV, Big Screens & Data Projector, Courtesy Bus, Friendly Members, Great Staff, Wonderful Food, 12 Beers on tap, Excellent Wines, All This in the best climate in NZ Phone / Fax: 07 575 4477 Web: www.mtrsa.co.nz Email: mtrsa@xtra.co.nz Affiliated Members, Guests and Potential Members Welcome

27 Studholme Street Morrinsville Ph: 07 889-7014

RSA (Inc)

Top restaurant with excellent a la carte meals Open Tuesday to Sunday

Hours: Tues - Fri: 3pm - 10pm, Sat 11am - Late, 3rd Sunday each month: 3pm - 8pm

Gaming Machines T.A.B. Sky Big screen, EFTPOS Entertainment most Friday and Saturday nights 8-ball, Snooker, Darts, Indoor Bowls Function Hall available for Reunion Meetings etc.

Retreat Restaurant: Thurs - Sat 5pm - 9pm Lunch every 2nd Tuesday 11am - 1pm

Ample parking (free) for buses and cars

TAUPO

Family Lounge: Regular entertainment, 12 gaming machines with $1000 jackpot, Sky TV on the big screens, pool & snooker tables, indoor & outdoor bowls, fishing and darts.

MEMORIAL R.S.A. (Inc.) Ngaio Street Ph: 07 888 7190 Open from Mon- Sat 3pm, Sun 4pm.

Poppyfields Restaurant:

Open for bus tours & private functions by arrangement

TOKAANU-TURANGI & Districts Memorial RSA

Ph: 07 386 8717 PO Box 1 Katopu Place Turangi Email: trgirsa@hotmail.com Bar 7 days from 11am Restaurant Thur - Sat evenings Gaming Machines, Snooker, Pool, Darts, Indoor Bowls, Library, Big Screen Sky TV Turn 3rd right from roundabout

Avenue Road West Ph: 06 878 8808 Fax: 06 878 7642

www.morrinsvillersa.org.nz

* Gaming Machines * Sky Tv * Snooker * 8 Ball * Indoor Bowls

Rendezvous Restaurant

WHAKATANE RSA (Inc)

Richardson St Ph: 07 307 0343 Fax: 07 307 2604 Email: whakatanersa@xtra.co.nz

Open seven Days

Club Hours Mon- Wed: 11am -10pm.

Lunch and Dinner Tues-Sat Bar Snacks Available

TE TE PUKE PUKE

Restaurant Hours

Gaming Machines - Big Screens - 8 Ball - Snooker Darts - Indoor Bowls - Line Dancing - Karaoke Thursday evenings

Live Entertainment Friday Nights Close to motels in the heart of town

16 Oxford Street

MEMORIAL MEMORIAL RSA RSA (Inc) (Inc) Ph: 07 573 7922 Hours: Mon 1pm - 6.30 pm, Tues - Sat 11am - 9pm Restaurant open Thurs, Fri and Sat nights. Tues - Lunch

All RSA members & Visitors are most welcome to our warm & friendly, air conditioned club

Taumarunui & District RSA 10 Marae St, Taumarunui

PO Box 24 PH: 07 895 7517 FAX: 07 895 8343 Email: taumrsa@xtra.co.nz

MANAGER: John Callinan MEMBERS: 862 Restaurant open 7 nights from 5:30pm Club open daily from 11:00am Sunday from 1:00pm 18 Gaming Machines, Courtesy Coach Charge back facilities to local motels.

If you are coming to Taumarunui we can arrange local tours, golf club bookings, Motel Bookings.

Entertainment Centre of Taumarunui

TE AWAMUTU

District Memorial RSA (Inc) 381 ALEXANDER STREET P. 07 8713707 E. tarsa@xtra.co.nz

Turn into the main street at the traffic filter and look for our Rose Garden at the end of the main shopping area.

Bar Hours - Mon-Thurs: 11am- 9pm Fri: 11-11pm.

Sun: 1- 8pm

Restaurant Hours

Mon 12 noon to 1pm, 5pm to 7pm.

Wed & Thurs 5pm-7pm, Fri & Sat 5pm to 8.30pm Sun Smorgasboard 5pm to 7pm Groups catered for during week on request

‘ROSE of the WAIKATO’

HAMILTON Combined Returned Services Club

Rostrevor Street, Po Box 9028 Ph 07 8380131 Fax 07 8340170 Email: hamcrsc@clear.net.nz. Web: www.hamcrsc.co.nz

Open 7 Days Club Restaurant Lunches Tues-Fri Dinner Tues-Sun from 5.30pm.

FUNCTION BOOKINGS BY ARRANGEMENT 18 Gaming Machines * TAB * Sky Big Screen * ATM *Eft Pos * 8 Ball * Snooker * Euchre * 500 * Darts * I/D Bowls

Ph: 06 876 4739

VISITORS WELCOME

Mon-Thurs 10am-10pm.Fri & Sat 10am till late. Sun 2pm-8pm

Thurs- Sat: 11am - Late. Sun: 2 - 8pm Horomatangi Street Phone: 07 378 7476 Please visit our wesite at: www.tauporsa.co.nz

GalLipoli Restaurant

Open 7 Days ---- Bar Hours

Wed, Thur, Fri Lunch 12 - 2pm Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat Dinner 5 - 8 Closed Tuesday and Sunday

A Friendly Welcome in Warm Whakatane

Naenae Memorial RSA (Inc) 23, Treadwell St, Ph 04 567 8159, Open 7 Days Indoor Bowls * Darts * Snooker Outdoor Bowls * Pentanque

When visiting Hutt Valley call at our comfortable clubrooms.

A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU

Otaki & District Memorial RSA

WHANGAMATA RSA (INC) 324 Port Road, Whangamata Ph/Fax: 07 865 9419 Email: whangamata.rsa@actrix.co.nz Web: www.whangamatarsanz.com

Gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula

9 Raukawa Street Ph: 06 36 46221 Open Tues - Sunday Dining room Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun roast lunch TAB - Sky - Snooker - Darts Fridays entertainment Affiliated Members and Guests most welcome

Clubrooms Open: 7 days from 11 am Restaurant Open: 6 days from 11 am Closed Mondays Group Bookings, Bus Tours, etc. by arrangement

Entertainment Big Screen TV’s, Snooker, 8 Ball, Darts, Indoor Bowls, Golf, 12 Gaming Machines

Visitors Most Welcome

ROTORUA RSA (Inc)

Haupapa St, Rotorua

We offer a warm welcome to our thermally heated club.

Bar open 7 days.

Restaurant Tues-Fri 12-2pm & Tues-Sat 6-8pm New Café Mon-Fri from 9am-2pm Sky TV, Big Screen TV, Snooker, 8 Ball, Darts Indoor Bowls, Flag 500, Mahjong, Line Dancing, Old Time Dancing, 18 Gaming machines, Live bands

ENJOY OUR COMPANY AND MAKE THE STOP

ACHILLES RESTAURANT Welcome to All. Open for lunch Friday from 12 noon.

Dinners Mon, Wed & Thu from 5.30; Fri & Sat from 6.00pm All facilities, Gaming Machines.

110 Amohia Street (Just 50 meters off SH1) Tel: 04 902 7927 www.pramrsa.co.nz

SOUTH TARANAKI RSA (Inc) Bar Hours: Mon, Tues 3-7pm Wed 3-9pm, Thurs 3-7pm.

Fri, Sat 3-9pm Clubrooms open some mornings Bistro Meals: Fri. 5-7pm

Princess Street Hawera When in our area you are cordially invited to visit our Clubrooms & enjoy our hospitality. A friendly welcome is assured to all.

Registered Military Museum

Rotorua RSA

1072 Haupapa St, Rotorua Phone/Fax: 348 1056 Email: rotrsa@xtra.co.nz www.rotrsa.co.nz

WANGANUI Great Entertainment...

S

Come and visit our friendly Club the

MATAMATA

HASTINGS RSA

All The Games You Can Play, TAB & Superscreen TVs/Videos

“The Centre Of it All”

Sat: 11-10pm

East coast - hawkes bay wairarapa - taranaki manawatu - wellington

RSA TAURANGA 1237 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga

Ph 07 578 9654 Fax 07 577 0715 E: admin@tgarsa.co.nz | www.tgarsa.co.nz

Big Screen TV’s, Snooker, Pool, Darts, Indoor Bowl, Cards, 18 Gaming Machines, Live Bands Bar Hours - Open 7 Days - From 11.00am

BER MEM ME W E N CO WEL

Live Bands 18 Gaming Machines TAB Terminal Big Screen TVs' 8 Ball * Darts * Bowls Euchre * Housie Raffles * Members' Jackpots

Gallipoli Restaurant

Lunch Tuesday to Saturday from 11.30am Dinner Monday & Wednesday to Saturday from 5.30pm Tuesday Pension Day Special - Lunches Whiteboard Dinner Specials

… MEMBERS AND BONA FIDE GUESTS WELCOME ...

170 St Hill Street, Wanganui Phone: Clubrooms 345 5750 * Restaurant 345 4140 *

Courtesy Bus 027 345 5750

Email: admin@wanganuirsa.co.nz * Website: www.wanganuirsa.co.nz

Oaktree Restaurant

Open 7 Days from Breakfast - 7.00am - Lunch - 12.00 noon Dinner - 5.00pm “When in the Bay stay with us” Motor Inn accommodation available Excellent Rates “Visitors Welcome Anytime”

ANY CHANGES TO CLUB ADVERTS OR CLASSIFIED ADVERTS PLEASE CONTACT DAVE McKEE Ph: 03 983 5518 Fax: 03 983 5552 Email:davem@waterfordpress.co.nz

32

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Local RSAs NAPIER RSA

34 Vautier Street, Napier Office: 06 835 7629 Fax: 06 835 1357 Club: 06 835 1034

TARADALE

A warm, sunshine welcome is extended to all visitors to our modern, comfortable clubrooms

156 Gloucester Street Ph/Fax 06 844 4808

OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK Restaurant Open:Lunch: Mon- Sat. Dinner:Mon-Sun

Top meals at reasonable prices

• Live entertainment Fri & Sat nights • Parking • Conference room • Taxi chits available for discounted fares

Membership still open. Affiliated members Welcome

Conveniently located to Marine Parade, motels and city centre THERE ARE NO STRANGERS AMONG US, ONLY FRIENDS WE HAVE NOT MET.

1 Easton Street, Ph: 06 3637670 Fax: 06 3636838 Email: foxtonrsa@xtra.co.nz www.foxtonrsa.co.nz Friendly & safe environment (children welcomed)

Open:

Mon. & Tues.

Wednesday Thursday Fri. & Sat. Sunday First & last Sun of the month

11am - 7pm 11am - 9pm 11am - 10pm 11am - 12pm 2pm - 7pm 12pm - 7pm

Clubrooms Open Mon-Fri 8.30 am

Sat-Sun 10.30 am

Meals Available 7 days - Lunch & Dinner When in Napier or Hastings visit us, we are only 8 minutes from either city. Motel accommodation next door with discounts available

All Visitors Assured of a Warm & Sincere Welcome

marlborough - nelson west coast canterbury otago - southland

Reasonably priced quality meals available: Lunch – Thurs., Fri., Sat. 12pm to 1.30pm Sun (first and last of the month) Dinner –Thurs., Fri. & Sat. 6pm to 8.00pm SKY TV, big screen, pool, darts, pokies, juke box Campervans welcomed (two sites are powered) Venue available for hire for special events and functions

TAWA RSA 89 Oxford St. Ph: 232 5788

A warm welcome is extended to all RSA & Chartered Club visitors We are open: Pool Wed to Sun from 4pm Darts Meals Friday 6.00 - 8.00pm Sunday Roast the last Sunday of Sky TV each month 6.00pm-8pm

PORIRUA RSA (Inc) 5 -7 McKillop St, Tel: 04 237 7695 Fax 04 238 2343 OPEN SEVEN DAYS * Sky Tv * TAB * Gaming Room * Pool * Darts * Indoor Bowls * EFTPOS * Wine Club * Kapa Haka BAR HOURS

Milton Bruce RSA 31 Union Street, Milton Ph: 03 417 8927

Open daily from 5.00pm *All Welcome*

Thurs, Fri & Sat. Dinners 5.30 - 9.30pm

NEW, RETURNED & SERVICE MEMBERS MOST WELCOME

HOURS: Mon - Sun open from 12pm. Lunch time Courtesy Coach Available Fridays

Memorial RSA Inc

12 Civic Ave Ph: 03 208 6218 Fax: 03 208 6220 Email: GoreRSA@xtra.co.nz Clubrooms Open 10.30 am 7 days a week Bar Hours Mon - Fri 10.30 am - 11 pm Sat 10.30 am - 1 am Sun 10.30 am - 9.30 pm Family Bar The Gore RSA Bistro Wed - Fri 12-2 pm.

Tues - Sun from 5.30 pm Private functions by arrangement * 5 F/size Snooker Tables * 18 Gaming Machines * Big Screen Sky TV * TAB Live entertainment each month. Tea coffee in our smoke free lounge. Off street parking for visitors.

Raffles: Thurs & Fri. Flag 500 Wed 7 pm during winter

Call and make some West Coast friends inVeRCaRgiLL WoRKingMen’s CLuB inC. Incorporating the inVeRCaRgiLL R.s.a.

154 Esk Street, Invercargill Ph. 03 218 8693 Fax 03 218 3011 e-mail office@iwmc.co.nz Hours Mon - Wed. 11.00am - 10.00pm Thurs. 11.00am - 11.00pm Fri. 11.00am - 12 midnight Sat. 10.00am - 1.30am Sun. 12.00noon - 9.00pm Bottle Store Corinthian Restaurant open for lunch Mon - Fri 12noon - 1.30pm Dinner Thurs. - Sun. from 6.00pm Corinthian Convention Centre available for meetings, conferences or functions, large or small 24 Gaming machines - 5 snooker tables Sky TV 5 pool tables Raffles Mon. - Sat. Band on Sat. nights Off-street parking

RIVERTON & DISTRICTS 141 Palmerston Street Riverton 9822 Phone: (03) 2348737 Enjoy Southern Hospitality Tue-Sat 3-6pm & Fri 3-9pm

NELSON RSA (Inc)

168 Tahunanui Drive, Nelson. Phone 03 548 6815.

Open from 11.00 am Monday – Saturday; 11.30 am Sunday Tribute: 6.00 pm Wednesdays Lunch 11.00 am – 2.00 pm; Dinner 5.30 – 8.30 pm

ALL VISITORS WELCOME

Marlborough RSA 42 Alfred Street Blenheim (In Clubs Marlborough Complex)

CLUB BAR HOURS

Wed 1pm - 7pm, Thurs 4pm - 7pm, Fri 4pm till late, Sat 4pm til late

MEALS

CHARTERED CLUB

Last Thurs of month Fri from 5.30pm, Sat from 5.30pm

35 Centennial Ave. Alexandra

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

Alexandra Clyde RSA

RANGIORA RSA CLUB (Inc) 82 Victoria Street Ph: 03 313 7123 Restaurant: Lunch Wed, Thurs, Fri. Dinner Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun. Courtesy Van Available Thurs, Fri, & Sat nights

A warm welcome is extended to all RSA members, families and friends

PAPANUI RSA Ph: 03 352 9770 55 Bellvue Ave Papanui Rd & 1 Harewood Rd

Access also from

Visiting Christchurch Try our hospitality in the heart of Papanui. Adjacent to major civic amenities incl. shopping mall,motels & hotels Mon -Tues: 11am -9pm. Wed-Thurs: 11am-10pm. Fri- Sat: 11am- 11pm. Sun: 11am- 8pm

www.lowerhuttrsa.org.nz

181 Tainui Street Facilities include a family bar, pool table, dart boards & gaming machines. Housie is played every Monday at 7.30pm. Raffles Tuesday & Friday.

We extend to all members a cordial invitation to visit our clubrooms situated on the main highway 5 minutes from the town centre and motels.

38 Kirk Rd, Templeton

Club Hours

Lower Hutt Memorial

GREYMOUTH RSA CLUB

Paparua Templeton RSA

Mon 11am - 7pm. Tues 11am - 7pm. Wed 11am - 8pm. Thurs 11am - 11pm. Fri 11am - 12pm. Sat 10am - 12pm. Sun 10am - 9pm

RESTAURANT HOURS

Gore District & Districts RSA Inc

PO Box 10 Ph: 03 448 8090 Fax: 03 448 8023 Bar Hours Mon-Sat: 11am-Late Sun: 4.30 9pm Bistro Hours Thurs: 6.30-8.30pm. Fri: 6-9pm Sun: 6-8pm Snack Bar open all hours

Catering a Specialty Gaming Machines, Sky Tv,Snooker, Pool Darts,Bowls

We extend a cordial invitation to all visiting members to visit our Clubrooms Open 7 Days from 9.00, Restaurant meals - 7 Days.

Gaming, Pool, Snooker, Sky TV.

RICHMOND/WAIMEA R.S.A. INC. P.0. Box 3034 Richmond 7050.

Operating from Club Waimea Premises Lower Queen Street, Richmond. Phone 03 543 9179.

Open from 11.00am till late. Club Waimea facilities including Caravan Park facilities which are available to all R.S.A. Members.

Meals are available Wednesday - Sunday 11.30am Onwards

motueka

Visitors Welcome Any changes to Club Adverts or Classified Adverts PLEASE CONTACT: DAVE McKEE Ph: 03 983 5518 Fax: 03 983 5552 E: davem@waterfordpress.co.nz

memorial rsa (inc) 49 High Street

Look us up on Facebook

Open 7 Days Sun-Thur 2.30pm. Fri-Sat 11.00am Restaurant Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat 5.30pm

Fri, Sat Lunch: 12.00 - 1.00 pm rsa - clubs nz members most welcome

Travel Australia

Bistro Meals

Lunch: 7 days 12 - 2 pm Dinner: 7 days 5pm onwards

Facilities

Eftpos, Sky TV, Snooker Billiards, Pool, Bowls, Cards, Darts, Gaming Machines, Library, Live Entertainment, Off Street Parking.

Power Point for Campervans

Welcome CLUB night every FRIDAY 4.30 - 6.30pm in the ANZAC Lounge

Kensington Restaurant Open Upstairs Wednesday - Sunday from 5:30pm Bistro Open 7 Days A Week Lunch 11.30 - 2.00pm Dinner 5:00 - 9.00pm Live Band Friday and Saturday 8.00pm and Sundays 3.00pm 3 Bars, Garden Bar, Large TV Screens, Sky Sport, TAB, Internet, Library, Gaming Room, Conference Facilities.

47 Udy Street, Petone. Ph 568 5404 Members, Guests and Affiliated members welcome

ASHBURTON RSA [INC]

12 Cox Street

Hours Mon - Tues: 11am-7pm. Wed Thurs Fri: 11am-10pm. Sat: 11am-12pm. Sun: 11am- 5pm Tues+Wed Lunch noon. Bistro Thurs, Fri, Sat 5.30-8pm

BULLS

SH1 Bulls Ph 06 322 0875

Hours Mon, Tues & Sun:11am -8pm Wed -Sat:11am -10pm When passing through Bulls call at our clubrooms, enjoy our hospitality and have a friendly chat.

Visitors Made Welcome

All Indoor Sports available. Gaming Machines Live Music Every Alternative Saturday nights.

Wheelchair available

Ashburton Where the North meets the South

• Heated swimming pool and spa • BBQ area • Close to local restaurants • Short walk to Jupiters Casino • 50 Metres to the famous Broadbeach Oasis Mall Sandpiper Apartments is a 12 storey resort complex located on the beach. Every apartment faces the ocean and includes a private balcony. Spectacular views.

www.sandpiperapartments.com.au | 155 Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach | 07 559 201 44

33

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Travel Australia Anyone for a Gold Coast Getaway??

FREE High Speed

Welcome to Palazzo Colonnades boutique, high-rise holiday accommodation apartments in Surfers Paradise....

271 Elizabeth Street, Sydney + 61 2 9264 6001

DIRECT BOOKING ONLINE NOW AVAILABLE

• Fully self contained, air conditioned one bedroom and two bedroom apartments

Visit: www.hydeparkinn.com.au

• Heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, gymnasium and BBQ facilities

HOT DEAL!

• Under cover, fully secured free parking

Stay 5 Pay 4 from AUS $608.00*

• Flat screen televisions and AUSTAR cable television free of charge • In room wireless internet broadband service • Extensive choice of restaurants within minutes walking distance

TO BOOK PHONE +61 7 5538 4555

• 1.5km from Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre • 150 metres to the beach and 6-8 minutes leisurely stroll to Cavill Avenue

Address: 2988 - 2994 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise. 4217 Telephone: +61 7 5538 4555 Email: info@palazzocolonnades.com.au

FOR THE BEST RATES BOOK DIRECT AT OUR NEW WEBSITE: www.palazzocolonnades.com.au * Valid for sale until 19/12/14. Block out dates apply.

1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom sub-penthouses. All fully self-contained apartments with private spa baths.

Expansive sea views opposite patrolled beach.

Resort facilities – indoor heated pool, steam room, outdoor pool, tennis court, gym, games room.

Boutique style 8 level resort with pool, sauna & BBQ. Apartments - 2 bedroom/2 bath + air/con.

Sunny living room to north facing balcony (some with views to beach). Secure parking. Stroll to beach, cafes, restaurants, shopping centres and Casino.

M: 0439 679 153 E: admin@barbadosbroadbeach.com.au www.barbadosbroadbeach.com.au

w w w.burleighsur f.com.au

MALIBU MOOLOOLABA

• Ocean Views from all Apartments • 2 Bedroom / 2 bathroom air conditioned • Heated lap pool & spa • Lift access to all 10 floors • Secure U/C Parking • Central to cafes, restaurants, shops, bars & clubs • TV / DVD FREE Austar • 2 Rooftop apartments (Private BBQ) - One with spa

Fully self contained boutique apartments - 4 star self rating, all with lift access, airconditioning & ocean views. Direct access to beach 50 meters. Heated pool and spa, BBQ area. Transport arranged from Brisbane or Coolangatta Airports. Easy walk to heart of Surfers or Broadbeach

31 Landsborough Pde Golden Beach Colundra, Queensland P: 00617 5492 3666 holiday@windwardpassage.com.au www.windwardpassage.com.au

• Self catering facilities • Complimentary continental breakfast • Air-conditioning • Balcony to Deluxe Rooms • Large family rooms and apartments • Free car parking • Free in-house movie channels • Guest laundry • DVD players to all rooms • Flat Screen LCD televisions

Owned by RSL NSW Branch • Special rates for RSA Members • Special long term rates available Eligible RSA members can join a NSW RSL Sub Branch for even better rates.

Prices start from just $380 per week for the whole family!

Our friendly staff can assist in finding the perfect base for your well-earned holiday.

81 The Esplanade Mooloolaba 4557 Ph: 00617 5444 1133 Fax: 00617 5444 1280 E: info@mailibu.com.au www.malibu.com.au

Surfers Paradise

Windward Passage Apartments offers luxurious and comfortable apartments with an absolute beachfront location yet close to shops, cafe’s, restaurants, playgrounds. Enjoy our excellent facilities including a heated pool all year round, large undercover BBQ area, full cable foxtel and wireless broadband internet available.

Our features include:

HUGE range of self-contained beachside holiday accomodation in caloundra on the sunshine coast

Call or email for specials.

238 The Esplanade Burleigh Heads QLD 4220 Ph. 00 617 5535 8866

The Hyde Park Inn offers friendly, personalised service and spectacular views across Hyde Park. Central CBD location, just minutes to shopping, theatres, Central Station, The Opera House, Darling Harbour and Kings Cross.

Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments featuring ensuite, balconies, kitchen & laundry. Heated outdoor pool & BBQ. Close to all attractions.

Nightly rate from AU$89

4 Star Boutique self-contained apartments • Walk to Broadbeach & Surfers Paradise • Heated Pool & Spa

Book direct and get great deals from friendly kiwis, Ph: 00617 5526 7588, Or email: info@emeraldsands.com.au Or visit: www.emeraldsands.com.au

93 Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach Phone 0061 7 55 610 444 00617 55 38 57 77 info@carltonapartments.com.au www.carltonapartments.com.au

www.sanmateo.com.au info@sanmateo.com.au

34

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

Travel New Zealand ACAPULCO MOTOR INN TAUPO

Welcomes RSA members Off season discounts may apply 20 ground floor units 10% Discount to all members 19 Rifle Range Road www.acapulcotaupo.co.nz

Phone 0800 378 7174

Special Package Deal* Offer includes: Accommodation plus Breakfast & Dinner Buffet

Ph: 07 578 9654 Single: $130 Double $165 Scan for more info >>

Any changes to Club Adverts or Classified Adverts

PLEASE CONTACT : DAVE McKEE

PH: 03 983 5518

Fax: 03 983 5552

E: davem@waterfordpress.co.nz

1237 Cameron Rd,Greerton, Tauranga Email: admin@tgarsa.co.nz www.greertonmotorinn.co.nz/rr

*Replica medals and Miniatures supplied and mounted. *Full sized and Mini medal groups for other family members. *Framed Medal Displays and Copy displays. *Regimental Ties & Blazer pocket badges.

MEDAL MOUNTING, MILITARY HISTORY & GENEALOGY RESEARCH. Orders, decorations & medals (full size & miniatures) court mounted for day, evening wear, and for family history displays. Medals mounted with respect for over 40 years with no modifications to medals or clasps. Contact Medal Mounting Wellington, H.E. Chamberlain, Ph: 04 293 3504. 470 Te Moana Rd. Waikanae. Email: clas.chamberlain@xtra.co.nz.

WANGANUI. Bignell St Motel, Quiet Warm Friendly, Comfortable, Pets by arrangement $65 single + $15pp extra. Phone Now 0800 244 635

WHAKATANE Bay Hotel Units 90 McAllister Street. Very handy to RSA. Discount for RSA members. Friendly service, courtesy pickup, Pets very welcome. Your hosts Betty & Willy Arends.

Ph 07 308 6788 Fax 07 308 6749

RUSSELL. F/furn 2 bdrm apartment. Sleeps 4 available all year. 2 adults $400 p week or $80 p night, $15 pn extra person.

Ph: 0 9 4 2 6 9 7 4 7 Email: donandmyra@xtra.co.nz

Tours FULLY ESCORTED TOURS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Medals English Tie & Medal Co

NAPIER. Colonial Lodge Motel. Next door to Taradale RSA. 17 g/f fully s/c units serviced daily.

Sky digital, heated swimming & private spa pools, games room, bbq, large garden grounds.

Qualmark 4 Star Plus.Tariff $110 - $150 for 1-2 persons. RSA member discount. Reservations 0800 68 44 77. Ph/Fax 06 844 7788. Your hosts Sarah & Mark Johnson. stay@colonialmotel.co.nz www.colonialmotel.co.nz

Our 2014-2015 programme includes: NZ: High Country Spectacular, Wonders of Westland, Taranaki Rhodo Festival, Masterton for Christmas, Perusing the Pacific Coast, Winterless North, Kapiti Island & South Coast, Top of the South, South of the South, Hawke's Bay Historic Homes, Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island, Chatham Islands. AUSTRALIA: Touring Tasmania, Melbourne Adelaide & Murray River, Australia's Red Centre, South Australia Explorer, Sydney Canberra & Outback, Cape York Discoverer. SOUTH PACIFIC: Tahiti, Vanuatu, Norfolk Island

FOR OUR NEW 2014-15 COLOUR BROCHURE

contact Scottsdale Tours FREE phone 0800 66 44 14 · www.scottsdaletours.co.nz

VIETNAM TOURS 20 Days ex Auck, Wgtn, Chch.

From $6795 pp share twin. Special conditions apply. Kiwi Vietnam Tours PO Box 123 Rongotea Ph 06 324 8444, info@kiwivietnamtours.co.nz www.kiwivietnamtours.co.nz

Any changes to Club Adverts or Classified Adverts

PLEASE CONTACT

DAVE McKEE Ph: 03 983 5518 | Fax: 03 983 5552 E: davem@waterfordpress.co.nz

We do not deal or trade original medals

P. 09 838 4828 F. 09 838 4850 W. www.medals.co.nz 6 Central Park Drive, Henderson, Auckland 0610

MEDAL MOUNTING Full Size and Miniature Orders, Decorations and Medals. Court Mounted or Swing Style. Duplicate groups made up to order. If necessary medals cleaned and new ribbon supplied. Competitive prices and quality work guaranteed.

Contact: Russell Barker P O Box 346 Waikanae 5250 Phone: 04 293 1045 Email: rmbarker@xtra.co.nz

MEDAL MOUNTING

Court or Swing Style, Full Size & Miniature medals,Ribbon Bars, Extra sets of medals for family, Framed Family Groups. Supplier of replica WW2 wings and brevet.

28 Years Experience. Contact: Tony Prowse, 6 Chilton Dr, Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast Ph. 04 2973232. Email: tsprowse@xtra.co.nz

MEDALS MOUNTED Court or Swing style.

Professional quality guaranteed work. Reasonable prices. Medals also framed for family history displays, museum quality work. Medals & military souvenirs purchased for my own collection especially gallantry awards eg. DFC, MC, MM etc.

German & Allied hats, helmets uniforms, RNZAF RAF pilots wings & boots also sought. Ph: Ian Hamilton 09 266 5783

MEDAL MOUNTING COURT STYLE

SWING STYLE

Anzac plans focus on community The Paraparaumu RSA is working on plans for an Anzac Week involving families, young people, and the wider community in reinforcing New Zealand’s sense of nationhood.

Next year’s formal Anzac Day dawn and citizens parades in April will be followed by an Anzac Day show on the Paraparaumu Domain to display the skills and achievements of young people and community organisations.

“We hope many organisations and individuals will join us in putting a programme together which will highlight the great part they play in Kapiti,” said Paraparaumu president Chris Turver.

The Paraparaumu RSA’s aim is to play a leading role over the next four years in commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 and the birth of New Zealand as a nation

prepared to fight for peace, he says. The goal will be to honour the sacrifices so many made, and to celebrate the freedom won for future generations by showcasing the achievements of today’s community.

He says the RSA is particularly pleased that the rundown memorial gates between the RSA building and the domain, built in 1924, are to be restored in a joint funding operation between the Kapiti Coast District Council, the Lottery Grants Board, and Electra.

“That will provide a proud focus for us all in commemorating the Anzac values of compassion, comradeship, courage and commitment that helped us build New Zealand.”

You can contact the RSA’s Jim Cathie (042991950) for further detail on the Paraparaumu plans.

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35

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

What’s New

PERSONAL STORIES BRING BOOK TO LIFE Dion Crooks There are many ways you could go about writing a history of New Zealanders’ involvement in the use of armour during World War 2. You’d imagine most of them would easily end up as fairly dry, esoteric accounts stacked with facts and figures, and bolt-by bolt analysis of each individual piece of machinery.

Well, the good news is that Jeffrey Plowman and Rampant Dragons: New Zealanders in Armour in World War 2 have beaten the odds. Largely because of the author’s approach.

Yes, there is detail on the hardware and the battles. Yes, there is discussion on the tactics of how to get the best military value from armour.

Yes, Plowman’s interest in armoured vehicles and the units that use them shines through.

But the core (or should that be corps) of the book is the personal stories and reminiscences – close to 80 of them – that he has elicited from wartime tankees. Their accounts are illustrated by 90-odd photographs (many not previously published and some from a German perspective) and a lot of maps.

They voice their feelings and fears as they head into combat. They relate anecdotes and stories of lighter-hearted moments. And they air some of the inevitable, less savoury moments.

What they really do is take you into the mateship, camaraderie and tolerance at the heart of

Rampant Dragons provides some lucid insights into the thoughts and emotions of men at war.

men in a close-quarters relationship where each is highly dependent on the others, where both the individual and the sum of the individuals are crucial if they want to go on living and fighting.

It rings so true even for a peacetime, National Service tankee. We learned those lessons and arts very quickly. We can only imagine how intense that teamwork must have been when faced with the real thing.

Some New Zealand character traits show through too. Such as the system that each crew member takes a turn on all duties. Crews from other nations were amazed to see Kiwi officers taking their middle-of-the-night guard duties.

It wouldn’t happen in our camp, they said.

Ingenious tale behind first Kiwi escape

North to the Apricots: the escape stories of Sergeant Bruce Crowley DCM. New Zealand prisoner of war, Greece & Germany 1941-1943; as told to Julia Millen.

Writes Hill Press for Bocoman Ltd, Wellington, 2012 • ISBN 978-0-473-21416-6, $34.

Reviewed by Tom McGrath Sgt Bruce Crowley was the first New Zealander to make a successful escape from a German prisoner-of-war camp to Britain (in 1943). He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his exploits – as briefly documented in official military histories Less well known is how Crowley achieved this and the dangers he faced. Writer/historian Julia Millen has recorded these details and recounted them rivetingly in North to the Apricots.

What emerges challenges conventional perception about prisoner-of-war escapes.

Crowley’s success didn’t come from digging tunnels under barbed wire fences, or breaking out and evading bullets from prison guards.

As the books shows, Crowley finally succeeded because he had practice at escaping from his captors (twice in Greece and twice in Germany) in the period 1941-1943. He also achieved his objectives because he took chances, kept moving, and used a fair dose of Kiwi ingenuity, courage and tenacity.

Above all, despite little formal education, he learned to speak enough Greek and later German to be understood convincingly by locals. He had an ear for language. Even then, his ‘home run’, as Millen recounts, required expert planning and massive good fortune.

Precise timing and calculation about rail travel in Germany, and contact with foreign workers in a Baltic port were essential. Willingness to remain hidden under coal in a Swedish freighter until the ship reached international waters was a further challenge.

Finally, escaping Germany didn’t mean immediate release. He was detained in Sweden and, after being flown to Britain, questioned at length by Military Intelligence to verify his story. Freedom came only with final discharge from the army in New Zealand during 1944.

Crowley, who was 80 when he related his story to Millen, grew up in poverty in Auckland during the Depression years. He was eager to join the army, not least because recruits were supplied with new boots.

In 1939 he embarked with the 1st Echelon for the Middle East where his unit, the 4th Reserve Mechanical Transport, was soon in action.

The unit was deployed to Greece in 1941, and Crowley was captured at Tolos Beach after the Allied withdrawal in April that year.

En route to Germany he jumped from a train and spent several months in hiding amongst Greek villagers. He was re-captured and later sent to the infamous Lamsdorf prison in Germanoccupied Poland.

• Thomas F. McGrath is a tutor at Massey University.

These personal stories also tell us a lot about the nature and extreme ebbs and flows of war... one moment fighting for your life, the next fighting boredom in the long lulls that punctuated many of the battles. They also provide some extraordinarily astute and lucid insights into human character of both friend and foe.

Plowman also deals with the beginnings of what became the New Zealand Army Division’s 4th Armoured Brigade.

The NZ Division did not have its own tanks at the start of the war and our infantry relied on British units for armoured support. But division commander Gen Bernard Freyberg felt the British had let the Kiwis down in the North African desert and called for the formation of a New Zealand tank unit.

(Incidentally, listening to his father’s wartime experiences was what sparked Plowman’s interest in military history. Then at university, he became interested in the development and

manufacture of New Zealand-produced armoured vehicles and the units.)

The upshot of Freyberg’s complaints was the conversion of three infantry units to tanks. 4th Armoured joined the division in Egypt and then Italy until the end of the war.

The irony was, of course, that New Zealand got its tanks just as the desert war – for which armour is ideally suited – was coming to an end.

The incessant rain and heavy, boggy going of Italy did not suit tanks and, although they were still useful, their value was considerably lessened.

Rampant Dragons takes its name from the brigade’s symbol. And it’s interesting that in his forward to Plowman’s work, the colonel commandant of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps, Brig (rtd) Neville Reilly, notes that it’s a term not heard much among the men and women of the RNZAC. “This book will do much to give the term new life,” he adds.

Maybe. But Rampant Dragons (first published in 2002 and revised for 2014) is far beyond being a book just about amour. Its eye-witness content – not just from people who watched events happen, but people who made them happen – offers a close-quarters glimpse into war on the edge. And into human nature.

This book is worth buying just for the delightful proofing error on the inside back of the dust cover, which describes “Freyberg’s need for his own amour (sic) in the 2nd NZ Division...”

• Rampant Dragons: New Zealanders in Armour in World War 2, by Jeffrey Plowman. Published by John Douglas Publishing Ltd, publish.johndouglas@xtra.co.nz; 0303 3603308; hard cover, 353pp.

Cinematographer’s war story released Parer’s War , a war film based on the story of a young cinematographer sent to capture the fighting in New Guinea between Australian and Japanese troops, has been released on DVD. It can be bought or rented on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms.

Information: Matt Warman Trigger Marketing 5 Smale St, Point Chevalier, Auckland 1022; Ph 09 5554466 Email matt@triggerworld.co.nz Website www.triggermarketing.co.nz Facebook www.facebook.com/triggermarketing Twitter @triggerworld.

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36

News

RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2014

You know, one way or another I was in five wars over the years and I was never on the bloody winning side.

Under five flags – a soldier’s story

By Alistair Kerr Wolfgang Hucke always wanted to be a soldier.

In fact his first military encounter happened at the age of 10 when an American tank rumbled into his home town in southern Germany and he grabbed a .22 single-shot, short rifle and fired a shot at it.

The tank commander’s reply was to climb down, put the boy across his knee and spank him. However, that did not deter Wolfgang, who went on to have a very varied military career spanning five services in five countries.

His memories of a wartime childhood in Germany include being evacuated to an area away from the bombing, and his struggles to find food. He remembers, too, being in the Jungvolk, a youth movement for boys from 10 to 18. He recalls that, in his time, it was not overtly political, but more like today’s Scout movement. Having to take employment where he could find it, he trained at the age of 14 as an underground miner, but the call to the military was still strong. In those post-World War 2 days, the German Army was not properly re-organised, so there was nothing for him there. But, one day in Koblenz, he chanced on a recruiting office for the French Foreign Legion; he applied, was signed up, sent to the legion’s base in Marseilles and then across to Algeria to the historic base of Sidi-Bel-Abbes.

This was the beginning of six years in the legion. His memories of life in Legion reveal it as one of those corps that develops a fierce sense of pride and loyalty in its men. It becomes your home; as one of its marching songs says, “We are the children of the Legion….We have no country…France is our Mother”.

This is backed by thorough indoctrination in Legion history and tradition. The confident, proud attitude is exemplified by the Legion’s distinctive, slower-than-usual marching pace of 80 paces a minute. Wolf says the training standards were very high, and officers and NCOs competent and well trained. In his day, many of the Legionnaires were former World War 2 servicemen from other armies. He did commando training and also became a qualified paratrooper.

Each man had to undergo psychological tests and a character check through Interpol. As Wolf says: ’”You can’t make a good soldier out of a murderer.” The Legion was famed for its very long route marches and he experienced many of them into the desert. On his first, they were taken 20-plus kilometres into the desert and told to march home.

At that time, Algeria was a French colony, hence the presence of the Legion’s headquarters at Sidi-Bel-Abbes. Much of the unit’s time was involved in combatting terrorists and protecting the French colonists, known as the “Pied Noirs”.

He also had a six-month posting to Indo-China

Photos clockwise from top: Wolf on active service with the Rhodesian SAS. Taking a break with the French Foreign Legion in Algeria. Wolf’s parachuting skills were used extensively in the former Rhodesia.

Wolf, the young Legionnaire. Above: Easy rider: Wolf and wife Alison on tour with their trusty BMW.

Wolfgang Hucke’s first military encounter happened at the age of 10 when an American tank rumbled into his home town in southern Germany. The youngster grabbed a .22 single-shot, short rifle and fired a shot at it. The tank commander’s reply was to climb down, put the boy across his knee and spank him.

(Vietnam), which he recalls as “interesting, but fairly quiet for me”. He left the Legion in 1960 and tried his hand at commercial fishing out of Cuxhaven, near Hamburg.

But the call of the military was still strong, so he joined 12 Commando of the Katangese Army, in the Congo. This involved bush patrols against terrorists, in this case the Simbas (Lions).

After this experience, he took a job as a security officer on the coal mines in Witbank, Transvaal, South Africa.

Another short-term posting took him to Luanda, then the Portuguese colony of Angola. Here he was described as an “industrial inspector” although he was actually liaising with political groups on behalf of the neighbouring South African government. He recalls his Angolan security police shadowers as being so obvious and so inept he would invite them into his hotel

for a drink.

His final period of “active” service was a 10-year engagement in the Rhodesian SAS unit. His paratrooper’s qualifications were very welcome and he made some operational jumps, and he used his self-taught medical knowledge (which he had worked at in the Legion) to become a qualified medic.

Family commitments led him to New Zealand.

His first job was as an ambulance officer at Wairau Hospital, Blenheim where, in 1978, he joined the RSA. He was still not finished with the Military though and, on moving to Hamilton in 1980, he applied to join the New Zealand. Army.

A Te Awamutu RSA member, Mike Subritzky, who was an army recruiting officer in Hamilton at the time, remembers listening to Wolf’s list of experiences and qualifications with disbelief until Wolf returned the next day with his military

records. He was posted as a staff sergeant in the 1st Field Ambulance and worked at Hopu Hopu Military Camp (near Ngaruawahia) training new combat medics. When the camp closed, he joined the RNZAF police section at the then Te Rapa base in Hamilton.

Finally, he entered civilian life, running a café in Hamilton for some years before settling in Kumeu where he and his wife, Alison, run an art-and-craft retail centre. He is a member of the Hobsonville RSA and a regular visitor to the Te Awamutu RSA where he joins the “Rhodesian Group” on many occasions.

He once wryly remarked: “You know, one way or another I was in five wars over the years and I was never on the bloody winning side.”

•Footnote: Wolf is now in his 80th year and loving his wife (1), dog (1) and chooks (4). He has sold his last motor bike on the advice of his wife (alas another battle lost!)