August Newsletter

27/8/2020

Recently we were on the search to hire two new people to join our Devonport RSA team and we were inundated with applicants. After many interviews we shortlisted two fantastic people.

Please welcome to the Devonport RSA:

Stephen Millham our Devonport RSA Manager

Stephen emigrated to New Zealand from Wales in 1995 where he completed a Diploma at Waiariki Polytech Rotorua.

He then held two roles with Auckland District Health Board including Cardiac Physiologist before joining the insurance industry to utilise his medical knowledge.

He spent thirteen years in the industry working through to the role of Health & Life Claims Manager and Underwriter.

After leaving the corporate insurance world in 2018 he spent 2019 travelling the world with his family.

Stephen is looking forward to joining the team at the Devonport RSA and working closely with the local community.

Dear Members,

Allow me to introduce myself. My name Stephen Millham I am your new Devonport RSA Manager. I was looking forward to meeting you all next Monday, however with the new Covid restrictions in Auckland we need to push out our meeting. This means our first meeting back will be Monday 14th September, at 1100.

If there are any members who are having difficulties during this time please feel free to contact our new Local Support Advisor, Gail Kennett, who is available at [email protected] or phone 027 315 8001. She would love to hear from you.

Looking forward to meeting you all in person on Monday 14th September.

Stay safe,

Stephen Millham
Email: [email protected]

Gail Kennett our Local Support Advisor

Gail is a local Devonport resident, married to Maurice (Muzz) Kennett who is in the Navy. They have two adult children and one Granddaughter. While their children were growing up they both were involved in the local community being active in Playcentre, Stanley Bay School, Scouts, Softball and Soccer clubs to name a few. During this time, she was also doing voluntary work for what was then the dept of Social Welfare.

This was followed by a long career working in the Dockyard in the Supply Chain area. Most recently as the Procurement Manager for Babcock (NZ) with responsibilities that included Purchasing, Contracting and Supplier Relationships.

Being a “Navy wife” and working very closely with the Navy has given Gail an appreciation for how being in the services can impact on your everyday life not just on the serving member but also their families.

She is now looking forward to becoming part of an organisation where you support each other not only in times of need but also in remembrance and care of those impacted by service to our country.

Hi everyone, unfortunately due to the recent outbreak of Covid19 and cancellation of the members meetings I have not been able to meet as many of you as I had hoped. This being the first update I have provided I thought it timely to share a bit more about me and what I want to bring to the role.

I gave up fulltime work just over a year ago in order to spend more time with my granddaughter and family, more time travelling and at the beach. Although I didn’t want to go back to work fulltime, I was beginning to feel I needed more. When I saw the advertisement for the Local Support Advisor, I knew that this was exactly the type of role I was looking for. What you can expect from me is honesty, confidentiality and a genuine willingness to play a key role in providing support to veterans and ex-service members and their families.

I will provide regular input into the newsletters and would welcome suggestions of any issues you would like me to address or provide advice and or support on.
So we can ensure you are kept informed and have all the support you need we will be revalidating membership information so we will be contacting you either by phone, visit or email to ensure we have the most up to date information.

I feel privileged to now be a part of an organisation where you join in camaraderie, support each other not only in times of need but also in remembrance and care of those impacted by service to our country.

As a local resident of Devonport some of you may already know me, and for those of you who don’t, if you see me around the village please feel free to introduce yourself.

I can be contacted anytime if you need any support or would like me to visit with you.

Gail
Devonport RSA LSA
Phone: 027 315 8001
Email: [email protected]

A note from the President

Here we are in our second week of lockdown 2.0 and the countdown to Level Two is on. I have been thinking of you all during this time and I hope you are all coping ok.

I have managed to keep myself busy in the garden amidst all the rain showers. The garden is now prepared for all the spring growth.

Joy was feeling unwell last week so we decided to go join the queue to get her tested. After waiting five and a half hours we were turned away but don’t you worry we headed back the next day and fortunately, the test proved negative. A tip for next time: take a good book to read while you wait.

It’s been great catching up on the phone with a few of our members and to hear how you are all getting on.

Stephen and Gail are already busy working behind the scenes. We are really looking forward to growing our RSA and building our relationship with you all and the community.

Stay safe and looking forward to see you all soon,
Howard Mace

Remembrance Army Update

While the weather outside hasn’t been the best it has done wonders at O’Neills Point Cemetery.

After spraying the headstones last year 3 times the rain has been working its magic. Below are a couple before and after photos of the headstones. We are looking forward to heading back there to finish off the job and get our NZDF personnel restored.