Happy New Year for 2012 . Good Health and Prosperity for the Year of the Dragon.
We start 2012 with some good news!!
The new membership cards for LHMRSA/Petone have finally been delivered and are now available at Reception.
We suggest that you call in during the day, Monday to Friday, to exchange your old card with a new card.
You will need to have your photo taken to be added to the new card and you will also be allocated a new membership number.
This will make you eligible to take part in the membership draws held in the club, take advantage of the member’s discounts and also to add cash to the card.
Please remember that if you have any Welfare queries to ring 5685404 and leave a message. Norm or a member of the Welfare team will then return your call.
If you would like to have your medals mounted, in advance of ANZAC Day this year – please contact PETER STITT Tel: 5772717
The Club nights recommence on Friday 3 February 4.30 – 6.30pm in the ANZAC Lounge and we hope to see you there.
Regards,
Alison, Tony, Jim, Norm, Ivan and John.
Lower Hutt Memorial RSA (Inc.)
ANZAC Lounge, The Petone Club.
45-47 Udy Street, Petone
PO Box 33-055, Petone 5046
Office: 04 568 5404 Fax: 04 568 8588 Welfare: 04 568 5404 please leave a message
email: lhmrsa@xtra.co.nz www.lowerhuttrsa.org.nz
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RSA Media Release
14 November 2011
New look RSA to be launched at annual Conference
At the annual RSA conference starting in Wellington today over 300 delegates will launch the new RSA brand for its second century.
“We’re only five years from our 100th anniversary,” says Chief Executive Dr Stephen Clarke, “2016 will not only be about celebrating but taking stock of how far we have come in terms of our transformation.”
The new “Living the Anzac Spirit Today” strategy challenges the RSA to transform perceptions of itself from a place which old blokes disappear into, to an organisation that is known to stand for something and is seen to play a valuable role in society. The vision is to champion the Anzac spirit across all generations, by embracing its foundation values of compassion, camaraderie, courage and commitment.
“At the heart of our new thinking is not just looking at pictures of Anzacs but celebrating, every day, that Anzac spirit living in our hearts as New Zealanders. That’s how we will honour them,” says Dr Clarke.
“We’ve been rolling out the strategy with our RSAs with positive responses and it is exciting to be launching the new look this week. It really is a first for the RSA,” he says.
Dr Clarke said the public will begin to see the new approach from next April.
The 2011 annual report reveals that RSA membership this year has increased to 117,000 members, making it still one of the largest voluntary organisations in the country.
These and other matters will be covered in National President Don McIver’s inaugural address together with addresses from the Governor-General and the Prime Minister at this afternoon’s Formal Opening. The Opening will also be the first for Corporal Willie Apiata VC since being made a RNZRSA Life Member in 2007.
Ends
Media Advisory
The Formal Opening of the 95th RNZRSA National Council Formal Opening, Michael Fowler Centre, Wakefield Street, Wellington at 5pm today (media requested to be seated by 4.45)
Contact
Stephen Clarke
Chief Executive
027 3645687
Lower Hutt Memorial RSA Sports
RSA 8Ball
We had an awesome time playing in the 2011 Speights RSA Pool Tournament on 15th October between Upper Hutt, Porirua, Johnsonville, Pukerua Bay, Titahi Bay and us. Very nice friendly people and very welcoming to us newbies. Porirua RSA won the tournament with Lower Hutt RSA coming 4th. Next year will be hosted by Porirua and we’ll definitely be there representing Lower Hutt Memorial RSA.
Margaret Broughton
RSA Darts
The 2011 RSA National Darts Tournament was held on labour weekend at the Wanuiomata RSA.
National Darts
The LHMRSA enters the Wellington Area Charted Clubs Darts League which plays at various charted clubs in the Hutt Valley and Johnsonville. The league has 4 divisions from Premiers to Division 3. At present the RSA fields one team in Division 3 of this league which takes place on Saturday afternoons from 1:30 pm. All divisions are of a relatively good standard of darts while maintaining a social atmosphere. More teams can be entered if numbers of players permit. Throughout the year, as well as the Saturday league, several ranking tournaments are held, at which ranking points can be earned and players can gain selection to representative teams. In addition, the New Zealand RSA holds its Victory Darts tournament, and selects a New Zealand RSA team that regularly plays against counterparts from Australia.
Contact John Reeve. Telephone 560 4794 (home), or 894 2533 (work)
Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand
This link takes you to their website it's a great read
To: Rear Admiral A.J. (Tony) Parr, MVO
Chief of Navy
Dear Tony,
Members of The Returned and Services Association stand alongside the Royal New Zealand Navy as you celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the granting of Royal recognition to the Service and of your foundation as a sovereign partner in New Zealand Armed Forces. We are proud of and grateful for the tradition of dedicated service which the Navy has established in their commitment to the Defence of our Nation and to our country’s international ideals and aspirations in peacetime, in times of international tension and in major conflict. The Navy has made and continues to make an important contribution to the military heritage of our small maritime country.
I have been privileged to represent the RNZRSA at the ceremonies and events which have occurred this weekend to celebrate this heritage.
Congratulations
Don McIver
National President
Royal New Zealand Returned and Service Association.
Latest information on the NZDSM medal project is available on the RNZRSA website
http://www.rsa.org.nz/about/nws2011april/NZDSM_update.htm
FROM: ROYAL NEW ZEALAND RETURNED AND SERVICES’ ASSOCIATION (INC.)
TO: NEC MEMBERS, LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS, BRANCHES, RSA CLUBS, AFFILIATES AND LIFE MEMBERS
DATE: 18 AUGUST 2011
SUBJECT: CIRCULAR NO 4474 VIETNAM VETERANS’ COMMEMORATION – 18 AUGUST 2011
Today, on the 45th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, a National Commemoration Service for Vietnam Veterans will be held at the National War Memorial, Wellington. 37 service people lost their lives whilst on active duty, 187 were wounded, some very seriously, and many have suffered long term physical and psychological damage from their service in Vietnam. Whilst Vietnam Veterans Day has been commemorated, both in New Zealand and Australia, on this date for a number of years this is the first occasion on which it has received official New Zealand Government recognition. I am sure all who served in Vietnam, will agree, this is richly deserved. Although its primary purpose is to remember and to honour those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country it is also a further important step in the appropriate recognition by New Zealanders of all who served in Vietnam and of their families this National commemoration will now be conducted at the National War Memorial annually.
The service itself will be conducted by Vietnam Veteran Padre, Monsignor John Carde. Wreaths will be laid by the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, the US Ambassador, a representative of the Australian High Commissioner, Opposition Spokesman for Veterans Affairs, Chief of the Army, National President RNZRSA, a representative for Vietnam Veterans and two grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans. The Roll of Honour will be read at the ceremony.
RNZRSA is also aware that a number of other remembrance ceremonies and functions will be held around the country on or near this date.
Today, we especially honour the 37 military personnel who died whilst on duty in Vietnam
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
Lt Gen (Rtd) Don McIver CMG, OBE
National President
Dear John
Please find attached to this e-mail our information sheet on our latest book release, " Skyhawks ".
If you require further information, or wish to purchase copies please refer to our website www.willsonscott.biz
Regards
Elizabeth, Sales Manager Willsonscott Publishing International Ltd.
PO Box 600 6, Christchurch, 8442 New Zealand Phone: +64 3 360 3308| Fax: +64 3 342 3885 Email: promote@willsonscott.biz | Web: www.willsonscott.biz
Further to our phone conversation, please find attached to this e-mail, our very latest promotional flyer for the book," Voices from a Border War ".
WillsonScott is a unique, publishing company, specializing in Military History, and we advise visiting our website, www.willsonscott.biz for further information, or to purchase books on issue.
Regarding any enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Regards Elizabeth, Sales Manager Willsonscott Publishing International Ltd.
PO Box 6006, Christchurch, 8442 New Zealand Phone: +64 3 360 3308| Fax: +64 3 342 3885 Email: promote@willsonscott.biz | Web: www.willsonscott.biz
The ANZAC Ode
The Ode is taken from the elegy For The Fallen , by English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in The Winnowing Fan; Poems of the Great War in 1914. The fourth verse, seen below in italics, was adopted by both the Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association and the Australian Returned Services League to become the ANZAC Ode, which is heard at all ANZAC Day commemoration services in New Zealand and Australia. It also adorns War Memorials throughout the British Commonwealth.
THE ODE FOR THE FALLEN
Laurence Binyon
(1869 - 1943)
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn in drums thrill: Death august and royal
Signs sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again:
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labor of the daytime;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
felt as a wellspring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars that are known to the Night.
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
to the end, to the end, they remain.
At the RNZRSA National Council 2010 - Carrying The Flag to all Generations 11-14 November
Lower Hutt Memorial RSA (Inc) member Donald Stuart (Don) McIver CMG, OBE
was elected NATIONAL PRESIDENT of The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association
Poppy Day Your way to remember
ANZAC DAY - FROM DAWN TO DUSK
Each Anzac Day more and more people of all ages are getting involved.
Kia ora tatou katoa
The RSA's 2011 Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Website is now live.
Join the thousands of New Zealanders who will commemorate Anzac Day this year by going to www.anzacpoppy.com to leave your message on the Wall of Remembrance
∙ find an Anzac Day Service
find find activities around the country related to Anzac Day and Remembrance
∙ follow our bloggers in Gallipoli, Timor Leste, Christchurch and around New Zealand as they prepare for and commemorate Anzac Day
∙ upload your own photos of your Anzac Day
∙ support the RSAs welfare fund for returned servicemen and women and their families by making a donation to the 2011 Poppy Appeal
You can help us by forwarding this message to colleagues, family and friends.
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou We will remember them
Lisa Ellingham Manager National Projects
Royal New Zealand Returned And Services' Association
Phone +64 4 384 7994 DDI +64 4 894 9185 M. 0 27 5860560 E lisa@rnzrsa.org.nz
Visit our remembrance website www.anzacpoppy.com to
write on the Wall of Remembrance - find an Anzac Service - follow our bloggers in Gallipoli, Timor Leste and around New Zealand
ANZAC House, Level 4, 181 Willis St, Wellington, New Zealand Postal PO Box 27248 Marion Square Wellington 6141 New Zealand Web www.rsa.org.nz
ANZAC Radio Heritage 2011
Fighting Voices from
Downunder
Released to remember ANZAC Day on April 25 2011, this new feature
looks at how Australian and New Zealand military forces took radio
along with them on their journey to battlefields as far flung as the
Middle East, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, South East Asia, the Pacific, and
even within Australia's Northern Territory.
"Fighting Voices from Downunder' visits the extensive ABC Radio
facilities at Gaza in Palestine, RAAF Madang 'The Voice of the
Islands', 5DR Darwin, 9AF Labuan in the Straits Settlements, AKAA
Yamaguchi 'Voice of the 2NZEF', WLKS Kure, Radio Commonwealth near
the North Korean border, RAAF Butterworth and AFR Vung Tau.
This new feature places ANZAC Radio into context with US Armed Forces
Radio networks in the Asia and Pacific region, and British Forces
Broadcasting and Radio SEAC services.
There are extensive links and references to nearly 40 other AFRS and
related features throughout www.radioheritage.com. Illustrations from
the Australian War Memorial collections accompany the feature, as
well as a previously unseen photo from New Zealand station AKAA.
The Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit organization
connecting popular culture nostalgia and radio heritage across the
Pacific and its website is www.radioheritage.com where full contact
details can be found. Email: info@radioheritage.net
Dear RSA Manager
My late father's memoirs and diaries as a World War II soldier and prisoner were recently published through Ngaio Press as a book called For the Duration. I believe it provides an unusually good account of a New Zealand soldier's experience in training, battle and as a prisoner for your members interested in military history.
The book is to be reviewed shortly in the Sunday Star Times and was given some time recently on Radio NZ's Sounds Historical with Jim Sullivan. Whitcoulls recently ordered 300 in anticipation of Anzac Day.
I would be grateful if you could display the flyer below on your noticeboard or circulate it to your members and would be happy to provide a copy on request.
Kind regards Rosanne Robertson
It's one of our more detailed and perceptive personal accounts of Kiwi war service, from both active service and POW points of view.
Published by Ngaio Press, Wellington. ISBN 978-0-9582855-8-2
paperback • 287 pages• 101 illustrations • index Price: $39.95 plus $6 PP.
Available from :Rosanne Robertson, 6 Sefton St, Wadestown, Wellington 6012. Phone 04-472 4580; email: rosar@ihug.co.nz
2011 was the 70th commemoration of the Seige of Tobruk which took place on 18 November 1941.
“Tobruk 1941” was featured on this year’s ANZAC Biscuit tin and 4% of all the product sold by Foodtown is donated to the RNZRSA.
On 18 November 1941, Operation Crusader was launched to lift the seige of Tobruk. The New Zealand 2nd Division, integrated into the British Eighth Army, took part in the offensive, crossing the Libyan frontier into Cyrenaica. Operation crusader was an overall success for the Allies, although Rommel’s Afrika Korps inflicted heavy armour & infantry losses before its weakened and under supplied units retreated to El Aghelia and halted the British Advance.
New Zealand troops were the ones to relieve Tobruk after the fighting around Sidi Rezegh, but not before the Axis tanks had inflicted the heaviest casualty toll on New Zealand forces of the second World War
Message to the RNZRSA from the Chief of the Defence Force
We say of our Defence Force that it is a family of people bound together by the ethic of service to our country, military professionalism, common values, mutual respect, mutual trust, mateship, and our culture. In the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association I know we have an extended family that supports the work we do. Please do not for a moment under-estimate what that support means to us as individuals and collectively as a Defence Force.
The New Zealand Defence Force and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association have a relationship that dates back to when the RSA was first formed in 1916. It is a relationship which has evolved, and the RSA continues to be a place for all those members of the Defence Force serving our country today.
To all members of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association I thank you for your ongoing support and I wish you all a safe and joyful Christmas and New Year.
Lt General Jerry Mateparae - Chief of Defence Force
RNZRSA congratulates the new Chief of Defence Force Rhys Jones
The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association (RNZRSA) congratulates Major General Rhys Jones on his appointment as the new Chief of Defence Force.
"In these challenging times strong leadership and effective decision-making are crucial for any new chief executive and Major General Jones has a proven track record of delivery in both these areas," says National President Don McIver.
"Our thanks to the outgoing Chief of Defence Force Jerry Mateparae for his commitment to the veterans of New Zealand. We will always remember General Mateparae’s emphatic and landmark lifetime commitment to care for veterans and their families at the time of Tribute08.”
"We look forward to working with Major General Jones and enhancing the good relationship that already exists between our two organisations."
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KiwiRail's Hutt Workshops was a focal point for commemorations of one of the bloodiest battles in our military history.
The plant in Moera was the scene last Thursday of the unveiling of a plaque to mark the October 1917 Battle of Passchendaele, in which the New Zealand Division suffered 18,000 casualties, including around 5000 deaths. At the time, New Zealand's population was under one million and the loss of life was far greater than at Gallipoli, which has come to symbolise our involvement in World War I.
For many years, the only memorial to the battle was two plaques placed on the railway locomotive Ab608 in 1925. The loco was known as Passchendaele and clocked up 2.4 million kilometres before being retired from service in 1967.
More than 7500 railwaymen served in World War I, almost half the entire workforce, and 447 were killed.
A replica of the 1925 plaque has been held at the Hutt Workshops for many years and a staff competition has now resulted in it getting a permanent home at the workshops' memorial garden. It was unveiled at 11am on Armistice Day (November 11), which commemorates the end of World War I.
New Zealand Returned and Services' Association historian and commemorations officer Stephen Clarke told the large audience Passchendaele was the most deadly battle in our history but has always been overshadowed by Gallipoli.
Railwaymen played a significant part in the battle and it is only in recent years that Passchendaele has received the recognition it deserves, Dr Clark said. A memorial flagpole near the Petone station honours New Zealanders who fell at Gallipoli. The flagpole has become an important memorial and he predicted that in the coming years, the Passchendaele plaque would become a similar focal point.
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LHMRSA NOMADS DART TEAM
The team was formed in 1978 and still has five original members playing. Starting in the lower grades, the team made good progress and won numerous competitions throughout the years.
Now playing not quite so seriously, we still front up every week for our competition games and in the off season socially gather for casual games and relaxing activities (e.g. on away trips we impersonate a synchronize swimming team, always good on night visits to .jpg)
other clubs).
A highlight in recent years was connecting with the LHMRSA club. The venue, backup and confidence gives us renewed hope that the future is secured. We welcome new players and hope that we can continue to support our second team (M & M's who are not sychronized swimmers) who also play out of our club rooms.
We thank the LHMRSA for the venue and the backup that they provide. Long may we thrive!!
RSA National Darts
The LHMRSA enters the Wellington Area Charted Clubs Darts League which plays at various charted clubs in the Hutt Valley and Johnsonville. The league has 4 divisions from Premiers to Division 3. At present the RSA fields one team in Division 3 of this league which takes place on Saturday afternoons from 1:30 pm. All divisions are of a relatively good standard of darts while maintaining a social atmosphere. More teams can be entered if numbers of players permit. Throughout the year, as well as the Saturday league, several ranking tournaments are held, at which ranking points can be earned and players can gain selection to representative teams. In addition, the New Zealand RSA holds its Victory Darts tournament, and selects a New Zealand RSA team that regularly plays against counterparts from Australia.
Contact John Reeve. Telephone 560 4794 (home), or 894 2533 (work and cellphone)
Wireless Internet 
Zenbu Wireless Internet Zone is available in the main bar area.
Vouchers are available at Reception.