Women's Conference

“A historic day in the evolution of the women’s sections of the RSA movement.” - Claire Emberson, Interim President National Women’s Sections.

For the 150 women attending the conference held at the Palmerston North RSA on 15 March 2005, the process of agreeing to the formation of a National body of RSA Women’s Sections, and the move to the affiliation of this new body to the RNZRSA was a momentous occasion. The 57 Women’s Section delegates represented the nearly 16,000 members of the sections spread throughout the country.

Gary Griggs, Vice President Palmerston North RSA, opened the conference and Leith Rowe, President, Palmerston North Women’s Section, welcomed the delegates to Palmerston North.
An overview of the need to form a National Women’s body, the affiliation with RNZRSA, and the consequent voting rights at the National Executive was an advantage pointed out by RNZRSA National President John Campbell during his address.

Ophelia Azzopardi presents the ANZAC biscuit programme.		Jessie Gunn addresses the conference.

“I wish you well in your decision making today, noting that you are representatives of 25% of the total membership of the RSAs in New Zealand. The Women’s Sections have a valued history within the RNZRSA movement, and the representation of women on the National Executive of the RNZRSA is well overdue,” said John Campbell. He also noted that females, having served in the more recent overseas peacekeeping operations were 30% of the younger RSA veterans.

Jessie Gunn, Director Veterans Affairs New Zealand (VANZ), gave the conference a presentation on the role of VANZ, and how it can assist veterans, male and female, their spouses, partners and families. She also outlined VANZ input into recent and future commemorations and their part in co-ordinating veterans at these events. Her presentation was straightforward and was well received by the conference.

Prior to the conference, nominations had been called for a Women’s Interim President, and members of an interim committee. Claire Emberson was the only one of two nominees for Interim President attending the conference and was unanimously elected. Claire was joined on the platform by nominated district representatives: Norma Bates (Kaikohe and Districts), Angel Erstich (Kaitaia), Jess Potter (Howick), Norma Shewan Pukekohe and Districts), Brenda Smith (Mt Maunganui), Bobbie Maitland (Marton), Leith Rowe (Palmerston North) and Ayleen Beatty (Ashburton).

Leith Row was elected interim treasurer.

In the debate that followed the election of the interim officials, the conference agreed to the formation of a National Women’s body, (the name of the new organisation to be decided after consultation with the delegates and their respective Women’s Sections), and to affiliate the new organisation to the RNZRSA.

A group of delegates from the Mount Wellington RSA.		Claire Emberson, Interim President National Women's Sections.

It was agreed that the new body would pay to RNZRSA a single affiliation fee of $50 annually and the means of raising a working fund for ongoing administrative costs would be addressed.
John Campbell advised the conference that the RNZRSA National Headquarters would meet the funding for the meeting of the new interim committee in the immediate future.

As a gesture of support, RNZRSA National Vice-President Larry Boyle offered to provide the initial $50 affiliation fee.

Following the formal session, the conference concluded with a presentation by Ophelia Azzopardi, National Sales Manager, UNIBIC Australia (ANZAC biscuits) assisted by Tracy Duder, New Zealand ANZAC biscuits sales manager.

The sale of ANZAC biscuits through major commercial outlets and via the RSAs has the potential to currently raise around $40,000 for RSA welfare. Ophelia’s aim is to increase this amount to around $100,000 per annum by promoting a series of challenges to the respective commercial outlets.

The inaugural Women’s Section national conference has moved forward the influence of women in the decision-making processes of the RNZRSA movement.