The Marlborough RSA incorporates the NZ Police in all of our activities.
The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association is a service organisation. It is one of the largest voluntary welfare organisations in New Zealand and one of the longest established ex-service organisations in the world. Today, a network of 170 local RSA’s with over 130,000 members throughout New Zealand share a common commitment to the Crown, the Nation and the Community; dedicated to the RSA motto – ‘People Helping People’.
The RSA commitment to welfare is embodied in Poppy Day when red poppies are exchanged for donations to hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders to raise funds for veterans’ welfare and to honour the memory of those who have given their lives in times of war.
Poppy Day is usually observed on the Friday before ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day is observed each year on the 25th April. RSA’s throughout New Zealand take part in wreath-laying ceremonies of remembrance for fallen comrades.
Membership
RSA Membership
RSA members belong to a nationwide voluntary welfare organisation committed to the rich tradition of comradeship and community service that characterises the RSA. All members are welcome to visit and enjoy the recreational facilities of RSA’s and associated clubs throughout the country, take part in social and sporting events (local and national), or simply relax in congenial surroundings close to home.
Who may join?
Membership applications are invited from adults of all ages, who are either citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand or any other Commonwealth country. Membership is divided into four categories – Returned, Service, Associate and Women’s Section. (That’s right, you do not have to have a service background to become an associate member of the Marlborough RSA or any other RSA). Details of the membership categories and their meaning are;
Returned: Servicepersons who have served in any war or peacekeeping or peacekeeping deployment as defined by RNZRSA.
Service: Members are either retired or serving members of the ARMED FORCES who do not qualify for Returned membership. They include those who have served under CMT, the Territorial Forces, Cadet Forces Officers and sworn members of the NZ POLICE.
Associate: Membership is open to adults, who although having not served in the ARMED FORCES or NZ POLICE, identify with and support the aims and ideals of the RNZRSA.
Women’s Sections: are affiliated to local RSA’s. Members often have family links to the local RSA and many are members of the local RSA. Membership is open to all ladies with an interest in the community work of the RSA sections whether or not they are members of the RSA.
Membership of the Marlborough RSA brings a range of benefits: Full Membership of Clubs of Marlborough, Full access to and use of Clubs of Marlborough Facilities, Camaraderie and friendship, easy access to welfare and pensions advice; social and sporting opportunities; member only promotions from financial institutions and other companies; and entitlement to receive the RSA Review.
Yes there’s a friendly Welcome for you at THE MARLBOROUGH RSA- Club Night every Thursday
Some of the activities available to our members include Outdoor and Indoor Bowls in season, Underwater Section, Pool and Snooker Club, Darts Club, Golf Club, Fishing Club, Rugby Club, Small Bore Rifle Club, Dance Section, Ladies Section and a Travel Section.
THE MARLBOROUGH RSA – ‘People Helping People’
Application for membership- Click here to download and print a copy of the membership application.
Executive
| President | Ernie Thomson |
| Vice Presidents | John Forrest and Peter Slape |
| Treasurer | Trevor Slipper |
| Welfare | Peter Slape |
| Women’s Section President | Mary Yemm |
| Head Receptionist | Jo McConnell |
Welfare
Membership of the Marlborough RSA brings a range of benefits, one of which is easy access to welfare and pensions advice. Besides the current and sound advice, we have provided mobility scooters, wheelchairs and assistance with the likes of gardening, lawn mowing and a simple visit.
If you need our help, contact reception at Clubs of Marlborough and you will be directed to our welfare people.
The Marlborough RSA commitment to welfare is embodied in Poppy Day when red poppies are exchanged for donations to hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders to raise funds for veterans’ welfare and to honour the memory of those who have given their lives in times of war. Poppy Day is usually observed on the Friday before ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day is observed each year on the 25th April when RSA’s throughout New Zealand take part in wreath-laying ceremonies of remembrance for fallen comrades.
Our Memorial Olive Grove at Burleigh produces some on Marlborough’s finest oil. Sold under the
“Three Services” label, our oil is sold in 750 ML wine bottles for $15-00 per bottle and is available at reception.
The olive grove is tended by a few hardy volunteers who mow, prune, fertilise and water the 1400 odd trees all year round. In Late May or early June, volunteers are called for to pick the fruit which is then pressed and stored with the kind help of ……… This is then bottled to produce a sought after golden oil. All proceeds go into the Welfare Funds.
Sections
| Section | Contact | Section |
Contact |
| Kings Empire Veterans (KEV) Korean War Veterans Assn Malaya Veterans Assn (MVA) Vietnam War Veterans AssnAirforce Asscoiation (RNAFA)‘J’ Force Association |
Dave Rasmussen Les Pye John Forrest Peter SlapeTerry PullmanRex Perry |
RNZ Navalmen’s Association Women’s Section of RSA Renwick RSA Awatere RSA Picton RSA Havelock RSA |
Barry Rolton Mary Yemm Robin Harris Ross Cook P Cook Paul Anderson |
Memorabilia
(click on image to enlarge)
Roll of Honour
The MRSA has a Roll of Honour in movie format that contains 495 names and photographs of the total number of 890 Marlborough men and women who did not return from the wars in South Africa, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. This is continuously played in the RSA Lounge display area.
Every effort has been made to record the names and photographs of those who did not return from active service, however, not all of these are readily available. Should you have details of a relative who did not return, the MRSA will update the Roll of Honour if that person is not already on this Roll of Honour. Enquiries can be made to Clubs of Marlborough reception.
The MRSA acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of Sergeant Phil Beattie RNZAF in the compilation and research of this Roll of Honour.
Lest We Forget.
Parades
| Date & Time | Commemoration |
| 22 October 1030 hours |
Departure of the first troops to the South African or Boer War at the Tuamarina monument, Tuamarina. |
| Poppy day last Friday before ANZAC Day | |
| 25 April 0600 0900 0930 1000 1100 |
ANZAC Day Services Picton memorial, Seddon memorial Renwick Springcreek Havelock, Rai Valley Blenheim Cenotaph, Kaikoura |
| 30 June | Departure of first NZ troops to Korea |
| 31 July 1100 |
Cessation of hostilities Malaya campaign Blenheim Cenotaph |
| 19 September | Battle of Britain (Conducted by RNZAFA) |
| 29 September | New Zealand Police Remembrance Day (conducted by the NZ Police) |
| 11 November 1100 |
WW1 Armistice Day Remembrance Sunday – First Sunday after Armistice Day |
Links
ROYAL NZ RSA – http://www.rsa.org.nz/
NZ DEFENCE FORCE - http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
AIR FORCE - http://www.airforce.mil.nz/
NZ ARMY - http://www.army.mil.nz/
NAVY - http://www.navy.mil.nz/
NZ POLICE - http://www.police.govt.nz/
News Articles
