Three RSA members honoured for their service
Sunday 11 September 2011 was a significant day for three Golden Bay RSA members who received awards for service.
Although it was a wet and windy afternoon the presentation afternoon tea at the Junction Hotel was attended by 40 Golden Bay RSA members.
The recipients were the past vice-president and welfare officer, Dick Papps who received a merit badge, Ellen Pettersen who received a long service award and past secretary/treasurer Graeme Hall who received a gift of thanks from the association in the form of a voucher for a painting from the Earthsea Gallery.
Dick Papps served in the regular army from 1950 to 1959. He joined the Golden Bay RSA in 1989 and was elected to the executive committee in 1990. He served as welfare officer for 14 years and also had two stints as vice-president. Although no longer on the executive committee, Dick is still the convener of the Golden Bay RSA education bursary selection committee.
Ellen Pettersen joined the Ladies Section of the Golden Bay RSA in 1984 and was elected vice-president in 1989. Every year since then she has been variously president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer of the Ladies Section, often holding more than one position. Ellen has organised poppy day collectors for many years and continues to do so.
Graeme Hall had performed his duties as secretary/treasurer diligently and with dedication over more than 15 years. The records that he kept have served the association well and will provide a lasting history for this association. In recent times Graeme has suffered some health issues which have required him to relinquish this appointment. The Golden Bay RSA is grateful for his input over the years.
The presentations were made by Derek Nees who is the past-president of the Nelson RSA and secretary of the Nelson, Marlborough & Westland District RSAs. Derek’s family farmed in Golden Bay and he went to school here before joining the army.
“The afternoon tea was enjoyed by all and it was a great occasion for the older members to catch up and have an ‘old chinwag’,” says president Philip O’Connor. “It’s hoped that the Golden Bay RSA can host more of these gatherings in an effort to bring its members together.
“The new executive committee is actively recruiting new members. If you have an interest in joining and meet the criteria please contact our secretary Dave Gowland or any executive member to enquire. Also, those people who have completed CMT, National Service or Regular Service and wish to apply for the New Zealand Defence Services Medal please also contact our secretary. The efforts of those recipients above and new members coming on make our local Association strong. Our motto is ‘People helping People’.”
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