RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2016
RATA TO GROW AS ‘A LIVING MEMORIAL’
News
The memory of Woodville soldiers who died in World War I will live on in rows of rata trees. Eighty-one native tree seedlings, each representing a Woodville man killed in the war, have been planted by pupils from Woodville School. Woodville RSA president Ralph Mountfort says 403 men and one woman left the town to fight in World War 1. People from the Woodville community, the RSA, the army, councils and schools were at the ceremony at the Ferry Reserve, between Woodville and the Manawatu Gorge. The holes for the saplings were dug by soldiers from Linton Military Camp, and the aim is to make a plaque naming each tree after a fallen soldier. The reserve is a popular summer spot for walking dogs, picnics, fishing and camping. Woodville School junior teacher Janice Wiri says many pupils have links to the war and it’s important to remember those connections.
School pupils, the military and people from the Woodville community came together for the rata planting – left: Daniel Bergdolt (left), from 2nd Workshop Company Linton and Woodville RSA president Ralph Mountford; above: Crystal Harris, aged eight, adds the soil touches to a newly planted rata tree; above right: Nine-year-old Nooroa Kupuvai heads a planting gang as they look for a place to plant their trees.
2016 National Council and National Parade Come commemorate and celebrate the forming of the RSA in Wellington 100 years ago. The RNZRSA 100th National Council will be held at the Michael Fowler Centre on the 10 and 11 of October 2016. On Sunday 9th October 2016 at 1700 hours we will be holding a National ceremony at Pukeahu, the National War Memorial. There will be a parade of veterans and current serving personnel, followed by a wreath laying ceremony. We encourage all veterans to participate in this parade to commemorate the forming of our organisation. If you would like to march in the parade form up in Tasman Street by 1600 hours on the 9th October.
For further information contact Bukit Hill at Bukithill@xtra.co.nz or phone 027 659 0679.
3