Honours for RSA People

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)

Chris Mullane

David Armstrong

Queen's Service Order (QSO)

Jessie Gunn

Hone Hikitia Te Rangi Waititi

Queen's Service Medal (QSM)

Chrissy Anderson

Don Brash

Athole Herbert

Gordon McDowell

Joe Cochrane

Laurie Burdett

Distinguished Service Decoration

Sean Trengrove

ONZM		Chris Mullane

Years of endeavour on behalf of New Zealand Vietnam veterans have seen Devonport RSA Trust Board Member and recently elected RNZRSA National Executive Committee member, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Chris Mullane; appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Zealand New Year Honours 2009.

Lt Col Mullane described himself as “a late reinforcement” to the fight for official recognition for our Vietnam veterans, joining the Ex Vietnam Services Association in 1998 and becoming an executive member in 2004. He led the EVSA Agent Orange Project Team, chaired the Tribute08 Organising Committee and became the public face and voice for Vietnam veterans. Nonetheless he said he felt his honour was “a recognition of the efforts of the team,” which worked to earn recognition and compensation for Vietnam veterans and their families. “A whole series of people made important contributions, particularly Rod Baldwin and John Dow and others including professionals who contributed their time and expertise free of charge. I just happened to be the ball carrier when the try was scored,” he said. “The support provided by the RNZRSA through John Campbell and Robin Klitscher was a major factor in our success”. Lt Col Mullane remains involved with the Memorandum of Understanding Joint Implementation Group. His endeavours have ensured that our Vietnam veterans and their families, other veterans and veterans to come will benefit. Lt Col Mullane attended the Royal Military College Duntroon, Australia, for four years from 1965 and was a V6 Company platoon commander in South Vietnam in 1971. He was made an MBE (Military) in 1982 and retired from the Army in 1985.

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ONZM		David Armstrong

South Canterbury RSA Executive member and Territorial Force soldier Warrant Officer Class One David Armstrong has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Army.

WO1 Armstrong said news of his award was both humbling and humourous. “Because I was recently made a Justice of the Peace and then this award came along the paper down here though I must be getting old! However I’ve still got a lot of things to do in the army and the RSA.”

He thanked his wife and family for their support and also the Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army, whose efforts to build a totally professional army had created career opportunities for him and other non-regular soldiers, he said.

He joined the SCRSA in several years ago and is also Vice President of the Pleasant Point Sub-Branch. He is particularly interested in the integration of serving soldiers into the RSA and is part of a group that organizes new members’ nights in the SCRSA consisting of a welcome and the presentation of badges.

WO1 Armstrong’s commitment to and service in the Army has far exceeded the norm for a non-regular soldier. He has served two deployments to Timor L’Este and one to Afghanistan. As the Army Reserve Sergeant Major he was instrumental in the development of integrated regular-non-regular training so enhancing the quality and leadership skills of non regular non-commissioned officers and warrant officers.

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Jessie Gunn

Colonel (Retd) Jessie Gunn has been made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for her work on behalf of service veterans.

Col Gunn was the Director of Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand for eight years from 1999, and for most of that period was also the Secretary of War Pensions. “The recognition is really for a small team that did a huge amount of work and I am delighted to accept the award as an acknowledgement for that team,” Col Gunn said. “It was very hard work with limited resources. No one realised the amount of work that would be involved. I am very happy to accept the award on behalf of that team.” Col Gunn raised the profile and work of VANZ so ensuring veterans’ needs and requirements were better recognised and veterans’ aware of their entitlements and streamlined the processes for accessing such entitlements. She raised the profile of military commemorations especially that of ANZAC Day at Gallipoli. She took a personal interest in such events and ensured veterans were the central focus, emphasing the contribution they had made to New Zealand’s heritage.

Col Gunn joined the Army in 1970. She was made a Member of the British Empire in 1989 and retired from the Army in 2000.

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Hone Hikitia Te Rangi Waititi

Major (Rtd) Hone Hikitia Te Rangi Waititi, the last surviving company commander from the 28th (Maori) Battalion of World War II, has been made a Companion of the Queens Service Order for services to the community.

Maj Waititi has been involved in his community for over 30 years. He has worked to develop employment opportunities in the community to retain young people and families in the region. This has included research and projects on developing the use of natural resources in the area, including fishing, dairy farming, forestry, and ostrich, sheep and beef farming.

He has organised local labour to clear the land and plant trees and prepare roads in order to establish farming and forestry stations in the area. He was the chairperson of Te Kaha Cooperative Dairy Company for over 30 years and was involved with the Horouta Cooperative Company for over 20 years.

He is the founding trustee of several land trusts, including the Te Haha Station Trust, Te Arawhata Trust, and the Tawaroa Toopu Trust. He was chairperson of Raukokere School and Te Whanau Apanui District High School for many years, was a member of the local children's board.

He has also been involved with his local church for many years.

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QSM		Chrissy Anderson

Otaki RSA member Chrissy Anderson has been awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for services to the community.

Chrissy joined the RSA when she came to Otaki to live. “It was the place to go,” she said, “especially if you liked music and dancing. My Mum also joined so I was very happy to give something back. I drove the courtesy coach for five or six years and will drive it again if needed.” She’s still a twice a week regular at the RSA for the members’ draw and a flutter on the pokies.

Chrissy said the news of her award filled her with a mixture of excitement, embarrassment and humility. “I may appear outgoing but really I’m shy and don’t like the spotlight unless I’m running a dance or telling jokes. But it has been a wonderful journey since the announcement. I’ve had phone calls and cards, some from people I haven’t seen for years and from overseas. I thank all those people and all those who believed in me and nominated me, including the RSA.”

Chrissy has contributed to the Levin, Otaki and Waikanae communities for many years; running classes for 15 years making modern and ballroom dance accessible and affordable for all ages She is involved with adult tough love and the tough love teen support group; she organises monthly dress-up dances and an annual themed ball, the proceeds going to local charities. The Cancer Society, Otaki Foodbank, Birthright, Horowhenua College Adult Community Education Centre have benefited from her fundraisers. She also walks guide dog puppies. She was recently awarded a Kapiti/Horowhenua Community Award.

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QSM		Don Brash

World War II veteran Don Brash has been awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for services to the community. He said he was “quite chuffed” with his medal but the occasion was also tinged with sadness that he could not share it with his wife Jo, who passed away a few months ago after 60 years of marriage.

Mr Brash, 92, is currently Treasurer of the Okato Sub Branch of New Plymouth RSA, where he has been a member for more than 30 years. He is Vice-Patron of the 24 Battalion Association and a life member of t he North Taranaki New Zealand Ex- Prisoners of War Association. A member of New Plymouth RSA for many years he held all offices in the Association including patron and auditor and re-established the RSA’s indoor bowling club. He as served in or contributed to many other Taranaki community organisations for more than 50 years; including the Red Cross; Citizens’ Advice Bureau; and the Lifeline Taranaki Counselling Service. His outstanding service to his community was recognised in 1996 with a New Plymouth District Citizen’s Award.

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QSM		Athole Herbert

Mount Maunganui RSA member Athole Herbert has been awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for services to the community.

Mr Herbert said he was absolutely surprised he was honoured. “I couldn’t believe it. I have been involved in the community, putting in the hard yards for many, many years, but there are lots of people out there who have served the community. I feel it’s just the luck of the draw really.”

He has been a member of Mt Maunganui RSA for more than 30 years, serving on finance committees for four or five years at a time the RSA was introducing property maintenance planning and the production of regular financial reports. Both processes have stood the Association in good stead.

Mr Herbert was involved in the Tauranga Harbour Board’s transition into the Port of Tauranga and was the driving force behind its expansion. The Education Ministry appointed him chairman of the group set up to establish Tahatai School. He was an Environment Bay of Plenty Councillor for nine years and was active in the development of the Gordon Spratt Reserve and Community Centre. A tennis buff, he still plays four times a week and has been involved with WBoP Tennis Association for many years.

He contributed to St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Mt Maunganui Rotary, Mt Maunganui Tennis Club, Tauranga Hockey Association and the BoP Conservation Board.

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QSM

Gordon McDowell

Long-serving Taupo RSA Welfare Officer Gordon McDowell has been awarded a Queen’s Service medal for his services to RSA members.

Mr McDowell said he had been “put up” for a Ministerial Commendation in the Year of the Veteran, and his first thought when the letter arrived from Government House last year was “I’ve been dropped in it again”. “It’s more than enough,” he said. “I’m embarrassed. It’s not me that does the work it’s the team, but I couldn’t have achieved anything without the support of my wife Elsie and my children.”

An ex-Navy engine room artificer Mr McDowell served in HMNZS KANIERE in Korean and Malayan waters during 1953-54. An injury suffered in the old HMNZS ENDEAVOUR led to an early discharge. He has been a member of Taupo RSA for more than 40 years and Welfare Officer for over 20 years. He has chaired the Taupo RSA Trust for 15 years; which has oversight of the RSA’s buildings and pensioner flats and also provides mobility scooters and walking frames at no cost to those who need them. He was awarded Taupo RSA Life membership in 1986 and received the RNZRSA Gold Star Award in 1993.

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QSM

Joe Cochrane

Services to his community have led to Upper Hutt RSA member Joe Cochrane being awarded a Queen’s Service Medal in the New Year Honours 2009.

“I’ve always been very involved in the community,” said 83-year old Joe, “but never expected anything. Now it’s happened it turns out friends have been trying for years to get me a medal. I was embarrassed to learn I was to get one and I’m still embarrassed. It’s just too much, a lot of wonderful people have sent me cards and letters and phone calls.”

Joe served in the British Army in England in 1944-45 and in Palestine for two years after the War. He came to New Zealand in 1954 via Hong Kong and Australia intending to have a holiday but met his wife Shirley and decided to stay. He is a former President of Upper Hutt RSA, guiding it through its transition to sharing premises with the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club. Today he and Shirley are the RSA’s welfare officers.

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Sean Trengrove

Nelson RSA member and Territorial Force officer Colonel Sean Trengrove, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration for his pivotal role as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilisation Force in Timor L’Este during 2007-08.

Col Trengrove said he was quite surprised by his award. “The people around me worked well and did well,” he said. “They were a very good tri-service bunch of officers, non-commissioned officers and junior ranks. Young New Zealanders who did the business and did it well. However, I got huge satisfaction because this award recognises the sacrifices my family made for it to happen.”

Nelson is Col Trengrove’s home town. His army career began with RF Cadets in 1975, when he also passed a potential officer selection board. Being too young for officer cadet school he spent a year as a private with 2nd/1st Battalion RNZIR; going to OCS Portsea at 19 and graduating into the Armoured Corps in 1978.

He made lieutenant colonel in 1995 before leaving the RF and joining the TF. Since then he has commanded the 2nd (Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast) Battalion Group; served an RF contract as the Commander 3rd Land Force Group in 2005 and another in 2007-08 in Timor L’Este. More recently he has been the TF Adviser to the Land Component Commander of Joint forces NZ.

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	Laurie Burdett

QSM

Former Army nursing sister Major (Retd) Laurie Burdett ED has been awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for Services to the community.

Maj Burdett said she received a letter on 22 December last year advising her of her award. “It was unexpected,” she said. “But I was thrilled and honoured. There are a whole lot of people behind me, who have enabled me to achieve what I have and who, I hope, will continue to do so.”

Maj Burdett has been involved in environment and health and wider community issues in the Waikato and Taupo for more than 30 years. She is a member of the Taupo-Nui-a-Tia Management Board and an Environment Waikato Councillor. She was involved in hockey, judo and orienteering and was a patrol leader of the Mt Ruapehu Ski Patrol Committee.

Maj Burdett joined the Army in 1974, serving with 1 Casualty Clearing Station through several unit restructurings and name changes until taking her discharge in 1989 as a major in 1 Medical Battalion.

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