Palmerston North Returned
and Services Association (2014) Inc
24 Linton Street, Palmerston North 4440
Venue: Bowls PN, PNRSA Club evenings at the Bowls Lounge 4.30pm on Wednesday’s.
Office days: Monday and Friday 1.00pm – 3.00pm. Except Public Holidays
NO EFTPOS AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICE
Website: www.pnrsa.org.nz PNRSA Email: rsa@inspire.net.nz Office Phone 354 8271
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PNRSA WELFARE TRUST
9am - 11am Tuesdays at the Senior Citizens Lounge
opposite the Globe Theatre, Main Street, Palmerston North
Albie Armstrong 06 358 6881 ~ Trevor Gillbanks 022 105 2316
~ Volunteers Required ~
The Palmerston North RSA Welfare Trust are looking for Volunteers:
We require Volunteers for Hospital Visits, Rest Homes and also people to assist with Poppy Day.
If you are interested, please call into the Senior Citizens Lounge, Palmerston North
on any Tuesday between 9 and 11am.
Or contact Trevor 022 105 2316 or Evan 027 647 4337
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JULY NEWSLETTER
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Membership Subscriptions are now due
Please pay Online:
PN RSA (2014) Inc. Account No. 06-0746-0384063-00
Ref: last 4 digits of your membership number and your surname
Or at our Office - Correct Cash please!
NO EFTPOS AVAILABLE
If you have already paid, your Membership Card maybe available at Office please ring before you go to collect.
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~ Presidents Message ~
~ Presidents Message ~
Greetings Everyone
Well, a few things to report this time around.
First of all, it was something of shock to hear of Mike O’Connor’s unexpected death – although not entirely unexpected – he was expecting it, only we were not! Mike was a very loyal and staunch supporter of the RSA. He had joined back in the ‘90s and very soon became involved with the Executive Committee and was treasurer for 5 years. He was made a life member and when the Club went into receivership he became involved with the Welfare Trust and organised the rosters for hospital visits as well as doing his share of visiting. He also officiated at funerals carrying out the RSA tributes. He was involved with distribution of the collection boxes for the annual poppy day appeal and was recognised by National Office as an “RSA Hero.” He also served a judge for the annual schools’ speech and essay competition that we ran. His funeral was well attended at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.and it was a privilege for me to join Evan Torrance and Albie Armstrong in giving the RSA tribute. Mike’s service was inspirational. He will be sorely missed. RIP
On the welfare front:- Murray Batten ended up in hospital last weekend! He has had a heart attack.But the hospital responded pretty quickly and he has had a stent and is now back at home.
Brian Gemmel has completed his sessions of radiotherapy and is experiencing the unfortunate side effects of the treatment which will last for a little while yet. All the best to the two of you!
Our club continues to function with a good regular attendance at our Wednesday evenings. Last week, we had a “cooks’ night off” at the Club enjoying Gary Fryer’s culinary delights for a roast meal – and very good too! Thanks Gary and Mere. Also, thanks to Marj for organising it.
We are still in the dark regarding our situation with Inland Revenue. I guess though that other RSAs must be in a similar position to us so perhaps we can get some advice from National Office.
Some military history comments – on 1 July 1916 saw the commencement of the Somme offensive on the Western front. On 21 February, the Germans attacked Verdun – with the intention of “bleeding France white.” To divert troops from Verdun the Somme offensive took place. On the first day, Britain took 60,000 casualties! Commonwealth units were used at the front with the introduction of Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and South African units. A small amount of Indian cavalry also operated on the Somme. Between mid-July and November 1916, no fewer than 12 separate battles were fought on the Somme, including many small engagements and actions. Many of these became tough slogs, lasting for weeks. By the end of the five-month campaign, the British and Commonwealth troops and their French allies had advanced no more than seven miles. For this small gain, over 150,000 British Empire servicemen were killed or missing. Hundreds of thousands more were wounded. New Zealand sustained some 8,000 casualties during its time on the Somme, including more than 2,110 deaths. Over half of those Kiwis who died in the Somme campaign have no known war grave.
Lest we forget!
Peter
PS If a pig loses its voice, does it become disgruntled??
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Check out the PNRSA Website to see if I have taken your photo!
All recent events have been loaded onto our Website. https://pnrsa.org.nz
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PNCC MILITARY HERITAGE/HISTORY, ANNIVERSARY AND COMMEMORATION PROGRAMME FOR 2026
This programme follows on from the approved and successful previous activity listings. It includes the military history presentations known as the “Evening Public Lecture Presentations” (EPLP) and the “Monthly Midday Military History Presentations” (MMMHP) series. There are also “Major City Events” as shown below and other related NZDF and military historical anniversaries, activities, and events. Rather than a five-year rolling programme, PNDHAG members decided in 2025 to follow the annual “RNZRSA Remembrance Calendar” and significant military commemorations and historical anniversaries. Separate invitations will follow and confirm dates, timings, and venues, together with any associated booking, RSVP and/or health and safety requirements.
2026 Programme:
13 Aug – (Thu - MMMHP) “80th Anniversary of HMNZS Achilles (Leander Class Cruiser) Being Decommissioned and Sold to the Indian Navy”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, former Chief of the RNZN
15 Aug – (Sat) Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, WW2 (1945)
18 Aug – (Tue) – NZ National Vietnam Veterans’ Day
27 Aug – 70th Anniversary of the Granting of Freedom Charters to LMC and RNZAF Base Ohakea
Sep (dates TBA) – PNCC Local History Week (PNCL)
3 Sep – (Thu) Merchant Navy Day
10 Sep – (Thu - MMMHP) “40th Anniversary of the ANZUS Security Pact Suspension in 1986 (NZ bans Nuclear Ships in its waters)”, by Dr Nina Harding, Massey University
16 Sep – (Wed) NZ National Day of Malaya, Malaysia and Borneo Commemoration Day
22 Sep – (Tue – EPLP) “110th Anniversary of the Formation of the NZ Division on the Western Front and Activities on the Somme”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Prof Glyn Harper, QSM, PhD
1 Oct – (Thu) RNZN Day (Established in 1941)
8 Oct – (Thu - MMMHP) – “NZ Wars Month – 140th Anniversary of the Transfer of the Armed Constabulary to the Permanent militia (by the Defence Act of 1886)”, by COL Peter Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, NZ Army Standby Reserve
20 Oct – (Tue – EPLP) – 110th Anniversary – "From Romani to Rafa: NZ's Forgotten Sinai Desert Campaign of 1916", by LTCOL (Rtd) Prof Glyn Harper, QSM, PhD. Note topic has changed and the book launch is postponed until 2027
28 Oct – (Wed) Te Putake o te Riri, He Ra Maumahara/National Day of Commemoration of the NZ Wars
8 Nov – Remembrance Sunday
11 Nov – (Wed) Remembrance (Armistice and Poppy Places) Day Parade and Service in Te Marae o Hine/The Square
11 Nov – (Wed – EPLP) Remembrance Day- “110th Anniversary of the Engineer Tunneling Company Operating on the Western Front”, by Peter Cooke, Renowned NZ military Historian and Author
24 Nov – (Thu - MMMHP) “60th Anniversary of 161 Battery, RNZA, Supporting 1 ATF at the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam”, by WO1 (Rtd) Dave Hayward, MBE, RNZIR, former Sergeant Major of the NZ Army and Renowned NZ Author
MMMHP sessions are normally held at midday on the second Thu in each month, Feb through Nov 26. EPLP sessions are being held on Tue evenings in Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct and Nov 2026. All presentations will be held in the PN City Library Mezzanine Floor (unless advised otherwise). Other military history presentations by visiting historians and book launches/releases are also programmed throughout each year and will be advised separately. Event invite posters will confirm all timings and venues for these activities.
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COMING UP IN AUGUST @ 4.30pm Wednesday Evenings
5 August Yap Yap
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Cook’s Night Off
12 August ChinaTown
After the Ode make your way to the restaurant
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19 August Yap Yap
26 August Members Draw
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The Palmerston North Returned Services Association (2014) Inc
Notice is hereby given that the
Annual General Meeting
of the Palmerston North RSA (2014) Inc
will be held on
Sunday 20 September 2026
at 1100 hrs
at the PNRSA Club Rooms, Bowls Palmerston North,
24 Linton Street, Palmerston North.
Notices of Motion to the Secretary by: 21 August 2026
Nominations for committee positions close with the Secretary on 21 August 2026.
All members are invited to attend. NB: Only financial members can vote.