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Secretarys Report Shipmates The association continues to grow at a steady rate, and we are fast approaching our 750th member. Remember to spread the word to all of your old oppos. The more members we have, the stronger we become. The National Conference held in Christchurch on Saturday August 2nd 2003, was a resounding success. A copy of the minutes of the conference are available for you to read on the home page. I am very honoured to tell you that, after some correspondence with RAD Peter McHaffie CN with regards to accepting the position of Patron of the National body - he has willingly consented, and is now our Patron. This has got to be good for our association and who better to be Patron than CN. Peter is in receipt of our newsletters etc and I will endeavour to keep him up to date with the associations activities as we go along. I am also delighted to announce that we now have a branch in Tauranga. They will operate out of the Tauranga RSA and they held their inaugural meeting on Friday September 26th. This has been the good work of Bob Sadler Lt SD (X), Stuart Thorn Lt (E) and ex sick bay tiffy, Alby Osborne. I encourage all ex navy who live in Tauranga, Papamoa, Te Puke and surrounding district to get in touch with Alby at 54 Jonathon St, Tauranga Ph 07 578 4276 e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it I have been told that the HMNZS Taranaki reunion held in the RSA over Labour Weekend was a resounding success. Bob and Joy have now shifted to Auckland and now living in Glenfield - I take this opportunity on behalf of all members of the association in wishing them well for the future. There has been many naval reunions around the country in the past few months or so. The ones that stick in my mind were the last Leander reunion held in Auckland in July, and also the Canterbury RNVR/RNZNVR 75th Anniversary reunion held in Christchurch over 3 - 8th September. This was a particularly good and well organised reunion, and I was very proud to join our rocky shipmates in their celebrations. A highlight of the week was a concert put on by the RNZN band at the town hall on the 3rd of September - all proceeds went to the Naval Memorial Benevolent Trust, and a fine and talented group of young musicians they are. I have just been advised that a branch of the association is to be formed in Manurewa. They will use the Manurewa RSA as their home base. Will give more information as it comes to hand. A branch in Orewa will hopefully be established before ANZAC 04. At the National Council meeting held at the Papanui RSA on December 17th I got the permission of the councillors to write once again to their lordships seeking medallic recognition for all ex naval personnel who served in the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) up to 1971. Our service in this area has still not been supported by this government after they promised that ALL service will be recognised. Jim Dell of the RNZN Communicators Assn is working on this as well, and I hope to work alongside Jim in obtaining the results we want. Lets us hope that this New Year of 2004 will be another positive one for our association. I once again ask you to keep in touch with your old oppos - especially if they are under the weather. The friendship and comradeship we experienced whilst serving in the navy is a bond that the other services dont seem to have. Let us remember this. A lot of our shipmates from the 60s through to the 80s are passing on at a far too young age. Remember our motto Friendship through Service! I wish all members and their families a happy and healthy New Year for 2004. Bill Lochrie National Secretary RNZN Association |
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