August 2006

National President's Report

We are now halfway through a significant and exceptional year. The coincidence of the 90th Anniversary of RNZRSA and the 2006 Year of the Veteran has provided us all with the opportunity to reflect, commemorate, acknowledge and celebrate. It is pleasing to see that most Associations have ‘seized the moment’ and have held, or planned to hold, events to both commemorate our 90th year, and to thank those who have served us all with such honour.

The year provides us with an opportunity to once again, present our organisation and our veterans to the community, and remind them of the values that both the organisation and our veterans represent. Values of service, of comradeship, of support for each other, of care for those less able to look after themselves and respect for our country – these values are timeless. We also have the opportunity to individually and collectively to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy in this wonderful country, and of the contributions and sacrifices made by those who fought to obtain and sustain those freedoms.

This is both a busy year and a productive year. Many of our initiatives are now coming to fruition, some have just been planted, and others, with cajoling and perhaps urgent energy, will be seen to make progress.

Let us make best use of the remainder of the year and remind all about us, that the fact we are alive and well is testimony to;

• Our ability to adapt to circumstance and change
• Our resilience and determination to carry on with the job
• The continuing need for our organisation and what it achieves

Year of the Veteran Community Grants Fund

As of writing, many local communities, local bodies, organisations and Associations have made applications for grants from the Year of the Veteran Community Grants Fund. Few have been denied. The wide range of applications received and the targets and objects of the applications make it clear that the objects of the grants – ‘honouring veterans, raising awareness of the service given through education and preserving history’ – are well understood.

I congratulate those Associations who are honouring the veterans in their area; the initiative they are showing, and on the way they are getting behind the notion of the Year of the Veteran.

Secondary School Speech Contest

Elsewhere you will see the details of this 90th Anniversary RNZRSA sponsored project. I would like to go on record in my acknowledgement and gratitude at the work put into this project by Archie Dixon, Northland District President. Archie has mobilised the support of the District Presidents and it is up to all Associations to support this excellent initiative.

Ride of the Veterans

In November a US Vietnam Veteran, Dave Barr will travel to New Zealand to participate in the Year of the Veteran and to raise money for the NZ Vietnam Veterans Youth Development Trust. Dave Barr, a double amputee is an adventurer, holder of a number of Guinness Book of Records records, an author and a well respected motivational speaker.

Dave Barr, accompanied by Dr Alastair Mackenzie, a New Zealand Vietnam Veteran, will travel by motorcycle throughout the country and will visit as many RSAs and local Mayors as possible.

During this adventure - or odyssey - Dave and Alastair will deliver messages to Mayors and visit RSAs to meet and greet – and of course to accept donations and pledges for the Youth Development Trust.

It is envisaged that on many legs of this journey they will be joined by other motorcyclists and vehicles – and that every RSA throughout the country will join in the spirit of this ‘Ride of the Veterans’ and contribute both financially and in other tangible ways. For more information on this Kiwi adventure please visit www.therideoftheveterans.co.nz.

Year of the Veteran/90th Anniversary Military Pageant

This major event celebrating both the Year of the Veteran and our 90th anniversary is to be held in Wellington on Friday, 3 November at the Westpac Stadium.

Planning is well in hand. There will be major Defence participation in one of the biggest military pageants to be held in this country. There will be international participation and featured artists as well as all the normal military bands, 1812 overture with fireworks, mock battles, veterans’ representative drive past, a 100 man tri-service guard and ceremonies etc. This in modern parlance will be a ‘big gig indeed’. More to come.

David Moloney (of M & M fame) is chairing the Pageant Committee so RNZRSA input is assured. Government are backing the pageant as is Defence and a major sponsor is involved.

Veterans Badge

After much debate and discussion the eligibility criteria for the Year of the Veteran Lapel Badge has been agreed. The revised criteria confers eligibility to those who have service in a war, operation or emergency as declared under the War Pensions Act 1954; and those who have served in the New Zealand Armed Forces and are in receipt of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal.

It is almost inevitable that some exceptions to the criteria may arise and those would be considered by the Year of the Veteran Committee.

Award of Badge in Gold and Life membership to Nancy Wake

Our awarding of our highest honour to the great WWII heroine, Nancy Wake, has received universal acclaim, both here and from overseas.

You will see elsewhere in the RSA Review details about Nancy and the award.

I would like to advise you all that His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh - himself a Badge in Gold holder and Life member, and the Grand President of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League – has graciously agreed to present the Badge in Gold to Nancy, at a ceremony to be held in Buckingham Palace on the 1st of November. In attendance will be a group of Nancy’s friends and supporters, together with RNZRSA London representative Patrick Nolan, representatives from RCEL, Royal British Legion and the New Zealand High Commissioner.

This is a fitting location for Nancy to receive this award and RNZRSA should feel both proud and honoured that HRH the Duke of Edinburgh will make the award on our behalf.

I would like to acknowledge the work done in London on the matter by our Chief Executive during his recent personal period of leave in the United Kingdom. I fear we might have turned it into a ‘working holiday’ – thank you Pat.

I am sure many of you would like to send messages of support to Nancy both in respect of her outstanding record and on her award of our highest honour, - you will find elsewhere in the RSA Review an address where you can direct your good wishes to this outstanding Kiwi woman. As Nancy resides in a London rest home, messages should be by way of a personal letter/note.

National Council 2006

Associations are receiving information on Council on an ongoing basis. Council this year, our 90th, will provide us with an opportunity to show the country we are alive and well as a national organisation. I would urge all Associations to send their full complement of delegates and observers to what augers to be a very special Council.

It is likely we will have a number of overseas Presidents with us, the RSL, the Royal Canadian Legion, the American Legion, and other representatives.

Council is warmed up on 3 November with the Military Pageant; on the Sunday we will be holding a special memorial service and wreath laying ceremony and on the Monday evening, after the official opening and first business session, we will be holding a gala reception and concert to recognise our 90th.

We will have international guest artists performing at the reception/concert – one of whom will be Terry Kelly, one of Canada’s top performers. When Terry performs A Pittance of Time I can guarantee there will be few dry eyes amongst those there. Terry, a blind performer reached the top of the Canadian charts with A Pittance of Time, which reminds people that two minutes reflection on 11 November is a ‘Pittance of Time’.

Affiliated Organisations

The Independent Review proposed that we change the structure and framework of our relationship with Affiliated Veterans Organisations, as well as other national organisations that represent veterans.

Clearly whilst RNZRSA is acknowledged as the major lobbying and advocacy voice of the veteran community, the more unity the community has, the stronger the voice.

RNZRSA held the first Veterans Group Forum in Wellington on 26 July when all current Affiliates and others met to consider the future framework.

Heather Roy MP

I would wish to acknowledge the fine gesture of Heather Roy who has decided to donate all her Territorial Force remuneration to RNZRSA.

There are some who might wish to say this is a political gesture. I would respond by saying Heather had the determination and will to undertake her Basic Training and continue to serve in the Territorial Force – and in respect of those who have gone before her, donate her Army earnings to veterans' welfare. We respect you Heather.

The Joint Working Group on the Concerns of Vietnam Veterans and Their Families

The consultation phase, the analysis phase and the production of the Joint Working Group’s report and recommendation phase have been completed.

The report has now been with the Government for some six weeks.

Much has been said and written about this exercise. RNZRSA was represented on the JWG by the National President and NEC Member, Robin Klitscher. EVSA had two Representatives, Chris Mullane and Rod Baldwin and the Government appointed representative was Dianne Anderson from Ministry of Social Development.

The JWG was expertly and ably chaired by the ex State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham. He was indeed an Independent Chairman – his ‘own man’.

The Vietnam Veterans Community can be assured that RNZRSA went into bat on the strongest terms – and if the Government response is inadequate – that RNZRSA voice will be strong in its disapproval. This is a shameful episode that the nation needs to put behind it.

Veterans Card

Ongoing discussions between myself and Ministers is seeing good progress on this matter. Whilst I cannot yet provide a substantive statement I am optimistic that the ‘Veterans Card’ is no longer a pious hope.

The 10 Point Welfare Manifesto

The Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Rick Barker, the Director of VANZ and myself are engaged in positive discussions to progress our Manifesto. A spirit of cooperation and goodwill is being shown by the Minister toward our Manifesto. I will report as we make progress.

A Medal for Service

I can report that RNZRSA and Defence have made a positive recommendation to Government on a medal for Service to the Nation. The recommendation now rests with the Minister of Defence. RNZRSA will continue to urge action on this matter. Currently we await Government’s response to the recommendation.

In Brief
What: Military Pageant
Where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
When: 3 Nov 2006 at 7.20pm
Link: www.ticketek.co.nz