75th Anniversary & 2009 Reunion

As you might know, the 2009 Reunion will be our one opportunity to celebrate our Association's 75th Anniversary year. It was formed at the Masonic Hotel, Devonport, Auckland, on 10 July 1934. Our reunion will take place over the weekend 30 October to 1 November, centred on East Coast Bays RSA in Browns Bay.

• You need to think about being there, now, if you want the best air travel deals, and to book into the recommended accommodation, North Shore Motels and Holiday Park.
  
• The Park is only ten minutes from Browns Bay and transport will be available to and from ECB RSA events. Booking your travel and accommodation is in your hands - do it now!
• Registration is $80, which covers the buffet meal on Friday and the formal dinner on Saturday. (If you won't be eating at Friday's buffet, deduct $20.) Don't pay until asked in September.
  
• The early signs are that this will be a bumper reunion, with members coming in from overseas as well as from all corners of NZ. Don't miss out!

Would you please let Mike know how many will be there with you, as we need to estimate transport and catering quantities.

Funeral arrangements, Ian Hitchiner

Salutations to All

I wish to advise that the Funeral for Ian "Hitch" will take place at the PAPAKURA RSA at 1000hrs (10 00am) on Thur 2nd Jul 09

Medals to be worn

FORTES FORTUNA JUVAT
UBIQUE

Brian Jerry Meyer

VANZ: An overview

Margaret Burke, Manager Support Services, Auckland RSA, has kindly provided notes from a recent presentation and forum in Wellington. You can have an overview of VANZ here . . .

Royal NZ Artillery Band Association AGM & election of committee

The AGM of the RNZA Band Association will be held in early July. Nominations are called for the Committee.
If you enjoy committee work and can make a contribution, get in touch with Barry Dreyer, the Band Association's President ASAP. B.Dreyer@clear.net.nz. (You may need to cut and paste the email address.)

Passchendaele - The Belgians Have Not Forgotten: Sponsorship opportunity

At Historic Fort Takapuna, Vauxhall Road, Devonport
From 4 October to 15 November 2009

$ 5,000 Sponsorship Opportunities

• The Organisers of this not-for-profit exhibition offer Sponsors an opportunity to be associated with the commemoration of the most significant event in New Zealand’s military history and in doing so involve up to 100 of the sponsors clients and customers by inviting them to an evening reception which would culminate in a tour of the exhibition in historic Fort Takapuna.
• The catering arrangements would be the sponsor’s responsibility and the $5,000 sponsorship fee would be used to attract visitors to the exhibition through publicity and advertising.
• The format for the evening is flexible but could include sponsor’s information to their clients, a twenty minute presentation on the lead up to and the Battle of Passchendaele on 12 October 1917 and then a tour of the exhibition which focuses on how memories of New Zealanders live on in Flanders and Belgium today - 92 years after the conflict.
• These memories follow the journey of New Zealand soldiers from Gallipoli through Flanders to Passchendaele and are brought to life through award winning photographs, images, information, artefacts and music.

Contact:Iain Mackenzie, Honorary Consul of Belgium (2001-2009)
Passchendaele : The Belgians Have Not Forgotten
Phone +64 9 575 6202 Mobile +64 27 495 5226
Postal: PO Box 9786, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand

Honours and promotions

Our congratulations to:
Col (Rtd) Graeme R Williams, now a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
Maj B W Ngata RNZA, promoted 30 Apr 09
Maj K M Dunne RNZA, promoted 22 May 09
Lt S L R Lodge RNZA, promoted 27 May 09
Gnr Amber Shine RNZA, Top student award for Recruits All Arms Course 352

Read NZ Army News here . . .

Last Post: Ian 'Hitch' Hitchener

From Jeff Waters:
Ian Hitchener (Hitch) passed away suddenly at his residence this morning.
Details for his funeral will be posted when we have them.

Hitch marched into Andrews VC class, RF Cadets, in January 1966 and graduated to RNZA May 1967. He served in Viet Nam with 161 Bty for 12 months from October 1969, during which time he was attached to D Coy 9RAR FO Party. After Viet Nam, Hitch was posted to 1 Loc Tp, 161 Training Wing Papakura, and 28 ANZUK Fd Regt in Singapore.

What can you add, to mark Hitch's sudden passing?