WOMENS SECTION

The Women’s Section committee are well and truly into their ANZAC Day preparations. This year is such a special year we want to make sure we get everything perfect.

Working around the kitchen open hours is a challenge so we have changed our buffet lunch menu. Nevertheless I can assure you that our members and special guests will still enjoy a lovely lunch, and of course there will be tripe (Sigh of relief from Editor!)

Last year I asked if we had any members who could knit / crochet poppies for us+. The response we received was overwhelming and to date (because there are still ladies knitting) we have had 1,140. So to everyone who has contributed—”THANKYOU”. The poppies will be on display in the club on ANZAC Day and I am sure you will all be happy with what we have achieved with them.

A special thank you to Bob Lawes for his handiwork. What a clever man.

In closing I’d just like to say it is a privilege to be President of “our” Women’s section on this very special commemoration. I know I can speak for all my Committee when I say, it’s an honour to be part of such an auspicious occasion. Of course we treat every ANZAC Day with respect and this year is no exception.

To the families and friends who have a special bond with ANCAC Day our thoughts are with you. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sharon Young

President

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

With ANZAC day only a couple of weeks away many supporting events, promotions and activities are already taking place to mark this once in a lifetime centenary commemoration. To keep right up to date log into NZRSA for full details.

Preparations for our own commemoration service are well advanced. An organising committee co-ordinated by Deidre Rich will have plenty of surprises for all. The march on ANZAC Day will follow the same route as last year. Assemble 09.30; March off 09.45 Starting at the Community House carpark it will finish at the main entrance to the Community Hall. This is in the carpark between the Community Hall and the Tavern. The service will be held indoors. It will be an outstanding event for all.

On the national RSA front a shortlist of ten candidates have been selected to attend final interviews for selection as Board Members as determined at the 2014 AGM. A total of six was recommended. This may change. I will keep you all informed of the final outcome as soon as the selections have been made. Those elected must then be notified by the National Council.

The Club overall is performing well but the secret for maintaining this is foot traffic. We need you all to make maximum use of our facilities, associated events and activities. This April is going to be a great month—one that we can all enjoy and have a wonderful memorable time.

Bob Pettis

President

AUGUST

8 August Anniversary Battle for Chunuk Bair, WWI 15 August Anniversary Victory in Japan (VJ) Day, WWII 18 August Anniversary Battle of Long Tan, Vietnam

SEPTEMBER

3 September Merchant Navy Day, WWII 15 September Anniversary Battle of Somme, WWI 15 September Anniversary Battle of Britain, WWII 16 September Malayan Veterans’ Day, The Malayan emergency & confrontation

Newsletter of the Te Atatu RSA (inc) April 2015

OCTOBER

12 October Anniversary Battle of Passchendaele, WWI 23 October Anniversary Battle of El Alamein, WWII NOVEMBER

4 November Anniversary Battle of Le Quesnoy, WWI 11 November Anniversary Armistice Day, WWI 18 November Remembrance Sunday, WWI DECEMBER

13 December Anniversary Battle of the River Plate, WWll

CALENDAR OF COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS 2015

‘8’ BALL NEWS

So far this year we have played two games against other clubs with a win and a loss. That’s a 50% success rate! Two club tournaments have been played so far. Reg Hawthorne Mixed Draw Pairs which was won by Paul Howson and Annie Lancaster with runners up, Bruce Steele and Sylvia Marchant. Hugh Henderson Mixed Singles was won by Bruce Steele and the runner up was Les Watters. Congratulations to these winners and runners up. On 27 June we are having a visit from Whangarei RSA 8 Ball Team, which we are all looking forward to. We hope we will be able to repay the hospitality that they showed us, when we visited them in November last year. If there are any new RSA member who would like to join

the 8 Ball Club please see me (Noelene Ross) or

Birthe Hansen. We are a very happy lot and would make

you feel extremely welcome. If you would just like to

take part in a tournament you don’t need to belong to

the 8 Ball Club, as any RSA member can participate.

Noelene Ross Secretary

TE ATATU RSA GOLF SECTION

SNOOKER NEWS

The Drawn Pairs RSA Snooker Championship was played Sunday 28th March. After a marathon day’s competition Bob Seath and Ted Gregory emerged victorious two frames to one in a closely contested final over their younger rivals Simon Dawson and Jeff Ashby. Well done to all who took part and a big thank you to Bernie Steward for once again organising a successful and enjoyable tournament. Next on the list is the ‘Over 65 years of age’ tournament on Sunday 19th April. The entry sheet is already on the snooker notice board, all financial RSA members of pension age are welcome to try their luck. The regular Wednesday afternoon and evening tournaments continue, they are open to all members and guests, registration time 1.20 pm and 7.15 pm respectively.

Bob Wood (Chairman)

SUPPORT SERVICES

Just a short note this time as with ANZAC Day imminent I am busy getting Poppy Day organised for Friday 17 April. Probably a bit late now. However if you do have a couple of hours spare on the 17th and would like to help, have a look at the roster inside the main door or phone me. My contact numbers are :-

mob 0274 832 593 and

Home 834 5557 or via the Club 834 3698. We still have about 10 members in Rest Homes. I am sure they would appreciate a new face to talk to so , again, if you have a spare hour give them a visit and put a smile on their face. All the best

Ian Henry

Support Officer

TE ATATU MEMORIAL RSA COMBINED DARTS

Another Dart Year has started—seems not so long ago we were enjoying our 2014 Prize Giving. Once again we have a Ladies’ Team representing Te Atatu RSA in the Western District Round Robin Tournament and two Men’s Teams in the Corban Cup. Our Number One Men’s Team having won the”B” Grade Section last year now play in the “A” Grade. We will monitor their progress with interest. Good Darts to all three teams.

We have “kicked off” a very busy year by hosting Victoria Park in mid March. As always had a great day, friendly rivalry and some “interesting” darts.

Flash and Annie (our Tournament organisers) have put together a great event calendar for the year. The list is on the Darts Notice Board including mini versions for your personal use.

It has been confirmed for August 2015 at Trust Stadium (Central Park Drive) the likes of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, Michael van Gerwin and Gary Anderson will compete—not sure of the details as yet.

We are going to put a group together to attend at least one or two of these days. As details are finalised I will let you know. If you are interested please talk to Flash, Annie or me.

Don’t forget to check the notice board / sports diary and or listen to the Friday Nite announcements for our upcoming events.

Kevin Barlow—Club Captain

FISHING CLUB

MENS GROUP

The year has got away with a very good "hiss and a roar" !!! We started meeting again after the Christmas recess on 21/1/15.

Outings to date have included the following: 8/2/15 A drive to Hobsonville Point to see all the new developments in that area. The growth and new housing developments are amazing. We had lunch at the Catalina Cafe. We also had a viewing of the Westgate developments.

23/2/15. Drove to narrow Neck where we had a wander, then lunched at the cafe at the Navy Museum. From there went up East Coast Road to Lonley Track Road then across to view Dot Com's residence (from a distance). From there, drove to view the exclusive Twin Lakes

Function Centre near Coatesville.

11/3/15 We drove to Motat and had a wonderful time at the aeroplane hangar, followed by lunch & coffee at The Chevalier Cafe at the bottom of Pt. Chev.Road.

1/4/15 We drove to and up the following famous Auckland Volcanoes: Mount Albert, Winstone Park (Mt Roskill), One Tree Hill, Mount Wellington and finally Mount Eden. It is interesting the different views of Auckland one gets from different angles. We lunched at the Onehunga Workingmens Club.

I would like to thank Bruce & Ken for providing the bulk of the transport for these trips & also to Bruce for being the main thrust in getting the guys out and about. On another note, on 18/3/15 we were joined by Bruce Hirtzell, a local Te Atatu resident and our 13th member. Welcome Bruce and we hope that you are enjoying our company as much as we are enjoying yours.

We have latterly had a few hiccups healthwise with three of our members having had trips to hospital. Two are out and making excellent progress but one other, at time of writing has just been admitted but is said to be making progress also. One other has been confined to home with shingles but should be back with us shortly. We will be pleased when they are all back with us again.

Other outings are going to be planned over the next couple of weeks. Any enquiries regarding the group, telephone the writer on 818 9990. Errol Schirnack (818 9990) Convenor

NORTHWEST MOTORWAY BLUES

We got the North West Motorway Reconstruction Road works Blues. For all us Westies living here, that just ain’t very good news. Only a few more years we hear the road works engineer-him say. But we ain’t got that much time before we pass away. On ramp closed—Take the long way around. So here we are too soon we’re Waikumete Cemetery bound. But there’s good advice in the TAT RAZA News they say

Stay all day in Tatters and come into the RSA. There’s snooker Pool n’ darts and good company from the start. There’s a Bar and Pokies too and a restaurant right for you. Yeah bro—Give it ago. dbg

THE QUARTERDECK

News this week - the Falkland isles troubles could flare up again. If there’s to be another Naval fight down there, those of us on the quarterdeck can claim to be "To Old" to get involved though we could offer some advice.

Bobby Rooke recently drove all the way to the Catlins to the place his grandfather was ship wrecked. Lucky for us Bob stayed away from the edge of the cliffs.

The Navy Club Incorporated will hold a lunch at the Te Atatu RSA on Friday 8th May 2015, to commemorate the Battle of the Coral Sea. The Battle of the Coral Sea took place from 4 - 8 May 1942. The principal opponents were aircraft carriers of Japan and U.S.A. Neither side had visual sight of the other. The Japanese fleet en route to take Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea was thwarted as a result of this engagement. The battle of Midway followed in June 1942 . Cost of the lunch will be $35. There will be guest speakers, food and wine—open to all so get in quick. Application forms from Mike Harris . Cheers Stokes

Mike Harris.

SENIOR CITIZENS

The Te Atatu Senior Citizens’ Club had its first trip for the year on 18 March. The President’s Picnic was once again held at Parakai Hot Pools. Beautiful weather, a great bus trip, and a happy friendly group made for a wonderful day out. Our next trip is hopefully going to be to Crystal Mountain and then on to Swanson RSA for lunch—all to be confirmed at our next meeting. We have welcomed a few new members this year which is great but of course we are always looking for more friendly faces to join our happy group of bowlers, and card players. As this newsletter will not be out before Easter week-end, I hope you all enjoyed the Easter break and didn’t over indulge in Easter Bunny gifts. Please remember it is still school holidays—so watch out for those little darlings when you are driving out and about.

Sharon Young—President

Bob let on that his early strong ambition had been to be a ship’s carpenter and thus see the World. However—together with his 10,000 hour cabinet making apprenticeship and his Navy Reserve experience (no uniforms issued) - like Admiral Sir Joseph Porter of HMS Pinafore ‘ he never took a ship to sea’. Bob nevertheless did a fair bit more than polish up the knocker on the big front door. In addition to his sport and school, during WWll the family home in Union Street was sited close to the U.S. Army officers Club. That is when the U.S. Army was encamped in Victoria Park. The club actually had another name with a more basic purpose.

Ask Bob about the numbers of patrons assisted by his Dad hiding in the family back garden or thereabouts when the Police and U.S. Army M.P.’s visited the area.

Bob now in his mid eighties has a razor sharp memory, giving a detailed account of his watching an epic bare fist fight between a well known local police sergeant and an American service man of reputed skill and experience in the noble art. The Law won of course.

Further, in talking about his long standing love of the game of snooker, Bob reeled off the name and location of just about every snooker saloon in the Auckland city area - that he had patronised since the age of 17- plus the escape routes taken when such establishments were visited by the Police. In those days as well as underage patrons, citizens of interest to the police could be found quite frequently in such haunts. Do we have a hustler amongst us? Certainly not. Take a look at the honours boards and you’ll see that over the years our Bob has a fairly modest standing amongst the giants of that honours board .

Only in recent times has Bob retired from his long time task of regular care of this club’s snooker tables. Bob and family moved onto the Te Atatu Peninsula in 1959. His latter working years were with The Auckland City Council as a Building Inspector. He had been a member of the Point Chev RSA for 20 years before joining Te Atatu RSA in 2002.

Bob and Pearl— in earlier years

Bob Seath

Meet the $1,000 man. Yes Bob was a recent winner of our $1000 member’s draw held in the club Thursdays and Fridays. All you have to do is be there and have your membership card in hand. Three $50 consolation prizes are drawn at the same time. Bob is one of that tough generation that drew the depression of the early 30’s, the Second World war, and then the 1951 Strike—no consolation prize that!

Born at Waihi Beach in 1930, his mother from a line that settled in New Zealand in the early 1800’s, his father a Scot ( what else could he be with the name of Seath) arrived here in 1919.

The family moved to Union Street Freeman’s Bay in 1936 when life started back to some normality after the depression. Dad picking up work seagulling on the wharf, eventually became

secretary of the Carpenters Union. Bob succeeded his father in that role later. He completed his education at Napier Street Primary School finishing up with a year at Seddon memorial Tech. He took up a 10,000 hour apprenticeship from 1946 to 1950 as a cabinet maker. He was five months out of work as a result of the 1951 Wharf strike.

He played Soccer for 10 years with The Comrades Club, switching to City Newton Rugby League for two years and then back to Soccer with Point Chev 1953 to 54. The original Comrades Club dates back to 1923. Fielding teams today in the strip of Western Springs.

Changing codes in 1955 marrying Pearl, a marriage that endured until 2012 when Pearl passed away. Three children—two boys and one girl.—seven grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren (at this stage). Bob worked as a carpenter at Mangakino for some time and whilst there developed the family practice of regular camping in the bush in the Mt Tarawera area.

Called up for military service at 20 Bob undertook training in the Navy Reserve - weekly sessions at HMNZS Ngapona ( on the other side of the Victoria Park Flyover).—don’t look out for it—it’s now gone.

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