Mere Kirihimete to you all.

 

This is the final newsletter for the year so hopefully it is as brief as possible.

 

Christmas Function

 

The function held on the 18th December at the Club Redcliffs was a success for all who attended. A great meal, good entertainment and great company made it a warm place to be on a wet day.

Awards were given put to the Poppy makers for their effort this year in keeping the supply of poppies available for the RSAs throughout the country.

A thank you to Tony Westwood for his efforts in bringing this event about.

 

2 ER (Engineer Regiment) Project Sandilands.

 

This year we were fortunate again to have representatives from 2 ER giving their time to assist us with an ongoing project to increase the appeal of the complex. A BBQ area started last year was completed and the front fence received a fresh coat of paint and 24 metres of mulch were laid along with edging in many parts of the complex.

It was along day starting at 7:30am and finishing around 6:00pm, longer than either they or us anticipated. However, those remaining of the 16 that started the day were treated to a BBQ at the new BBQ area supplied by one of the residents along with a contribution from NZDF for their end of day meal.  Thank you Lt Whitcombe for having your end of year exercise at our place and for all the hard working troops, we really appreciate your assistance.

 

Support

 

Towards the end of November, we became aware of a former serviceman who was forced out of his Otautahi Community Housing unit due to a fire in the neighbouring unit late on a Friday. He was briefly relocated to a unit in Spencer Park while alternative housing was sought. Thanks to our contract support person, he was clothed and fed as he had to leave all his belongings at his former unit due to contamination.  

In consultation with the former serviceman’s GP he was relocated to a nearby retirement home by the end of the week where he is now receiving the care he needs.

This is a difficult time of the year for many, so if you are feeling the stresses and strains of the end of year, please do not hesitate to contact the office and we will organise for you to receive assistance where possible.

Below are alternatives you may wish to pursue in times of crisis:

National helplines

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).

Healthline – 0800 611 116

 

 

 

Resignation from Executive Committee

 

On Wednesday 21 December at the monthly executive committee meeting Craig Ruane offered his resignation after approximately 7 years’ service as a committee member and as Vice President. We thank him for his hard work as chief minute taker and for his wisdom and wit along with his legal background which has helped considerably in steadying the RSA especially over the last three, somewhat tumultuous years. We wish him well in his future endeavours.

 

Office Closure

 

The office is now closed until Monday 30th January 2023.

In the advent of an emergency please do not hesitate to contact one of our two numbers for support, 033799724 or 0273795786.

 

The Executive committee thank you for your support over the course of this year and wish all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Dennis Mardle

Jim Lilley

Tony Westwood

Cameron Mouat