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A Short History of the
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In 1986 our Constitution and Rules were brought up-to-date and reprinted at approximately 50c per copy. However, we decided to issue them free of charge to new and existing members. We also obtained new badges, slightly smaller than the older types but otherwise identical. The price remained at $4. In 1987 we affiliated with the New Zealand Army Association. In 1989, following a 'falling-out' with the President of the Takapuna RSA, we ceased to make that club our headquarters, and moved to Birkenhead RSA, where we received a much better deal. Members over 65 years of age paid $22 per annum subscription, but received vouchers worth $24 which could be traded over the bar. Thus the RSA in effect paid members $2, a year just to belong - a benefit not provided by Takapuna! Also, Birkenhead provided amenities more suitable for our committee meetings and socials, plus a better restaurant. The RSA does not charge us for the use of their premises, but we make them an appropriate donation every year. Postage, especially of newsletters, had always been a significant item of expenditure, but until 1989 NZ Post charged only 20c per letter, the rate then prevailing for bulk mailings. But they then became over 'hungry' and restricted the bulk rate to mailings of over 3000, which of course meant our Association with a membership of some 400 only, had to pay the full price of 40c per letter. However, this state of affairs was fortunately soon to end. In 1990 a reorganisation of the NZ Army included disbandment of the RNZA Directorate, the duties of which were to be assumed by 16 Field Regiment RNZA and the School of Artillery. Following this disruption, the Colonel Commandant RNZA, Major General RDP Hassett CB CBE (who also happened to be our Patron) expressed the need for the RNZA to enhance the links between the Regiment and Gunner Associations throughout the country. To this end he arranged for the Regiment to mail our newsletters at Army expense, a job now done by 11(A) Battery, Auckland. The same year we sold our aging Gestetner duplicator and purchased a second-hand MITA photocopier. Not only did this machine make the production of our quarterly newsletters a much simpler task, but it also enabled them to be illustrated thus making them much more interesting. Since the time the Old Comrades Association was formed flowers had always graced the funerals of members 'gone west' until the Secretary discovered certain florists were 'robbing' us, eg supplying flowers worth about $10 when we had paid $25. At a subsequent committee meeting in 1990 we changed our policy. We decided that henceforth when a member 'went west' the Association would make a donation to some worthy cause nominated by the next-of-kin in lieu of floral tributes. At present (1996) the donation stands at $30 and has met with the universal approval of grieving relatives. Following the example of Birkenhead RSA, in 1991 we invited our widows to join as Associate members at half the current (1996) subscription rate, ie $2-50 (1999: $5), and are pleased to note many have done so. At our 1991 annual reunion at Taupo we were honoured by a visit from the Master Gunner, Lieutenant General Sir Martin Farndale KCB, who attended our formal dinner and church parade. Our Patron, Major General RDP Hassett CB CBE, arranged the visit. From time to time during the 1990s the Association has been active in supporting the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum, Waiouru. So far some 50 books of a military historical nature donated by members over the years have been passed on to the Museum. In addition several members have spent periods of a week at the Museum on work such as captioning photographs, maintaining equipment, or preparing it for display. Members provide their services free, but receive free rations and quarters (paid for by the Museum) at the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess. Recently the Museum has also paid a travelling allowance. Members involved include Captain JG Gilberd, Messrs DP O'Connor, VN Meyle, WL Ruffell, and the late JT Transom. In 1991 Major General WS McKinnon CB CBE BSc, our Patron from 1984 to 1989, supplied Secretary with a sample of UBIQUE Scotch whisky, a blend especially prepared for the Royal Artillery Council of Scotland, with the suggestion that the Association import a quantity for the members. Being suitably impressed with the quality, and with the permission of the Committee he did so through Meenans Wines and Spirits, a firm based in Dunedin. It proved quite popular while it lasted. As our second-hand copier began giving trouble and spare parts became hard to obtain we decided in 1994 to invest in a new one. We made application to the NZ Lotteries Grants Board for a grant of $4000 but received only $1000. It seemed to us other less deserving parties, eg gangs, received preferential treatment. previous | index | next | History index | Home | ||