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RSA REVIEW • SUMMER 2016
RSA Life
MERIT AWARD FOR MAUREEN Liz Rayner, Daily Monitor
Waikouaiti RSA president Ian Taylor (left) and vice-president Warren MacLeod prepare for RSA centennial celebrations at the weekend. Photo: Christine O’Connor.
Waikouaiti celebration Sixty people celebrated the New Zealand RSA’s centenary at a dinner attended by national president B J Clark, at one of the New Zealand’s smaller RSAs in October. The Waikouaiti club is one of the country’s smaller RSA clubs, but still has more than 70 members. Founded around 1945, the club has more than 70 members and continues to provide support within the wider community. President Ian Taylor says the club has “changed a lot” over the years; one “huge thing” has been expansion of membership to include as associate members people who had never been in the New Zealand services. Some changes were “painful” at the time, but associate members now make up 80 per cent of the club’s members. A book of remembrance, containing 97 names, was developed this year to honour those from the area who had died in the South African War, World War 1 and World War 2.
About 50 Hunterville RSA members gathered for a special luncheon and award ceremony to honour Maureen Fenton and other club stalwarts. The guest speaker – the then RSA chief executive, David Moger – described some of the work being done by the RSA at national level. He said very few organisation can claim to be 100 years old. There are 183 RSAs in New Zealand. It was founded by Cpt Donald Simpson who saw the need when the first troop ship arrived back in New Zealand from Gallipoli. “A century later, RSA is still looking after those who have served or are serving the country, exactly as it did 100 years ago. It’s a heritage we hold tightly. There are 31,000 post-Vietnam vets in New Zeaand and personnel have been deployed on 41 operations since then. The needs of those people are changing. “We have become very good at caring for a more mature group. Now we have to take care of a younger group who fight in different kinds of battles. Mental trauma is creating a lot of issues.” Post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) is better understood as an injury and there are a lot of injuries from toxins, he said. Moger said people ask what is the relevance of RSA and say it’s dying off. “It’s simply not true. A hundred years after it was formed, there still exists an equally compelling reason for its existence – to serve those who put themselves on the line for our country. “In rural areas the RSA is a powerful community force. You have more impact on your
The Hunterville live-up: Maureen Fenton (second from left) with her merit certificate, one of the RSA’s highest awards, and Hunterville RSA life membership. Former club president Don Evans (left) and Pauline and Ted Wilce (far right) hold their service awards. In the middle are then RSA chief executive David Moger and Hunterville RSA president David Cole.
community than big-city RSA organisations. The numbers of people with links to RSA is huge.” He thanked the Hunterville RSA for all that it did and applauded the four members recognised at the lunch. David Moger presented Maureen Fenton with her special RSA merit certificate and life membership of the Hunterville RSA. He also presented former Hunterville RSA president
Don Evans, and Ted and Pauling Wilce with certificates recognising their service. The Wilces are leaving the district. Maureen Fenton has been an RSA member for 20 years; she was president for six years and has served in various other capacities. She is currently treasurer and welfare officer. “It has been a pleasure to do all that I have done for the RSA,” she says.
Vietnam vets remembered at Feilding commemorative parade Feilding has officially remembered its Vietnam veterans for the first time. The Feilding RSA hosted a commemorative parade in August in remembrance of all those who served and died in the Vietnam War. The small gathering included Feilding RSA members and visitors from Palmerston North and Marton, one of them a 7RAR veteran who lives in Marton. The parade was followed by refreshments in the Rangitikei Club and then a meal in the restaurant with speeches, further refreshments, remembrance and camaraderie on the menu.
RSA president Barrie Law, a surviving soldier, says it was great to hear the banter from individuals and groups: “You could tell all are true comrades...comradeship built on shared experiences and hardships. “ After the Vietnam veterans’ luncheon, the group moved to Anzac Cove in the Rangitikei Club where a short blessing and speeches were exchanged as the area was re-dedicated by RSA padre Ross Downes. After a quick photo session, he reminded people to never forget the sacrifices made by their forbears in all conflicts. Barrie Law says the RSA lacked a presence
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within the Rangitikei Club, so the committee approached the club requesting permission to move Anzac Cove to within the main bar area. This was approved and members have been busy painting and placing memorabilia for display and remembrance. “We acknowledge the kind donations and loan of items,” he says. “These items mean so much to so many people, and for some, it is their family link to service and sacrifice. Displaying these artefacts is something we feel strongly about. “We thank the Rangitikei Club for allowing the RSA the space to set up the Anzac Cove, to allow us to have a home and to raise our profile within the club. We now have a place where we can come together for comradeship and to remember. The Anzac Cove is not just for RSA members , but for all to enjoy.”
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Feilding RSA members in front of Anzac Cove, which is in the Rangitikei Club’s main bar area.
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