About Christchurch Memorial RSA

Christchurch Memorial RSA is a group of four legal entities all governed and managed by the Association. These entities are:

• Christchurcrh Memorial Returned and Services Association Incorporated;
• Christchurch RSA Trust Board;
• Christchurch RSA Museum and Support Trust;
• Christchurch RSA Holdings Ltd (In liquidation)

The governing body of the group of entities is the Christchurch Memorial RSA Executive Committee. The members of the Executive Committee are:

• President:                  Dennis Mardle
• Vice President:          Tony Westwood
• Hon. Treasurer:        Dennis Mardle
• Exec Member:          Pablo Godoy           
• Exec Member:           Alister Baker
• Exec Member            Jim Lilley
• Exec Member            Ross Milne

Executive Member Bio’s:

Dennis Mardle

I joined the NZ Army as a Regular Force Cadet in 1970 and graduated to the infantry at 1Bn Depot Burnham in December 1971. On completion of my corps training, I was posted to National Service Training Unit Waiouru instructing on the last of the National Service intakes.

Between 1973 and 1975 I served with 1 BN Depot, which became 2/1 RNZIR, as an instructor on several corps’ trainings. The lengthy period was due to my getting married, which interrupted the posting cycle. In 1975 I was posted to 1 RNZIR in Singapore, leaving there in 1977 and coming back to NZ to be discharged from the Army.

In 1978 I joined the NZ Police and served for 8 years in Western Auckland as a frontline police officer.

On leaving the Police I spent some 12 years working with disadvantaged young people through the Anne Audain Charitable Trust based on Waiheke Island. As a result of being exposed to the system of government funding and the inequities, I chose to study law to provide me with a better understanding of how the government and the law operated, eventually leaving Canterbury University with a Master’s degree in Law.

I have had an intermittent involvement with the RSA movement over the years including some time spent on the Presidents Forum of the RNZRSA as the Affiliates Representative. I have been a member of Christchurch Memorial RSA since 2015

Pablo Godoy 

Since leaving the Army (2/1 RNZIR, and Intelligence Corps) in 92, Pablo pursued a career in therapeutic intervention where he became the South Island Director of Operations for a national NGO. During his time as with this NGO he led Canterbury’s community based psychological first aid/counselling response following the Earthquakes, and he is proud of being part of this endeavour which helped over 35000 Cantabrians to cope with, and grow from difficult times.

In 2016 he took a role as Assistance Prison Director for the three Canterbury District Prisons where he managed/supported the majority of non-custodial functions of the three sites (Essential services, Education, Training, Case management, Intervention Scheduling, Prison based Industries, and Volunteer services). Pablo has more recently led a team across the South Island supporting people on sentences into employment.

Pablo is currently finishing his Masters in Business Administration and has a particular passion for Data analytics, Strategic planning, and Business innovation. This MBA will supplement his qualifications and experience as he holds post graduate qualifications in Education, Psychology, and Leadership.

On a more personal note…Pablo is married and has 7 children, and has a deep belief in the importance of service to others, as well as the importance of transparent, respectful, and courageous conversations. His hope is that he will be able to contribute in positive ways to the support and care of our veterans, and also work towards a dynamic and healthy future for the Christchurch Memorial RSA.