June Carr is presented with her merit badge for 50 years' service by Ron Mark, Minister of Defence and Veterans' Affairs, at the Services and Citizens Club. Photo / Christine McKay
June Carr is presented with her merit badge for 50 years' service by Ron Mark, Minister of Defence and Veterans' Affairs, at the Services and Citizens Club. Photo / Christine McKay
Dannevirke's June Carr has given a remarkable 50 years of service to the women's section of the Dannevirke and Districts RSA and the milestone was celebrated in style last Sunday.
Born in June 1927, June joined the RSA's women's section in 1950, was made a life member in 1985 and made an honorary member of the men's section in 1995.
"June has had a huge impact on the Dannevirke community and our district, through her 50 years of service," Paddy Driver, president of the Dannevirke and Districts RSA, said.
Attending the Dannevirke and Districts RSA special awards celebration, Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis, the president of the Women's Section of the RSA Verna Hutchings and her husband Peter. Photo / Christine McKay
As an indication of the esteem in which June is held, Minister of Defence and Veterans' Affairs Ron Mark attended the function at the Services and Citizens Club, along with all but one of her family.
At the function, June was awarded a merit badge for her 50 years of service, as well as a long-service certificate and a certificate of appreciation.
June Carr, receiving a long service certificate for her incredible service to the Women's Section of the Dannevirke and Districts RSA. Paddy Driver, president of the local RSA, left, June, Maitland Manning, past president of the East Coast RSA district and Minister for Defence and Veterans' Affairs, Ron Mark. Photo / Christine McKay
Service to the RSA runs in the family. Her father, Archibald Frederick Rawston, came to New Zealand in 1912 from England, settled in Napier and when war broke out signed on for New Zealand.
"He was a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and came home again in 1916," she said.
"Dad was a member of the RSA executive and was awarded a service medal. He worked hard and I know he did a lot of good for the RSA."
June was born in Dannevirke and was raised on her parents' dairy farm at Tiratu.
Her late husband, Art, served with the Second Echelon in World War II and was also an executive member of the local RSA.
June Carr (front centre) with all her family at the special awards function in Dannevirke last Sunday. Only one grandson missed the occasion. Photo / Christine McKay
The women's section of the RSA in Dannevirke was set up in 1942.
"But we couldn't go out and do wild things," June said. "Our motto is silent service."
Working with the women's section had been wonderful.
"But you can never do things without a team. In those early days we were a very straight-laced organisation and the ladies taught us to keep our knees together. Now we've got a very young president in Verna Hutchings."
The hardworking executive of the Dannevirke and Districts RSA Women's Division, with president Verna Hutchings, (centre second row). Photo / Christine McKay
Matiland Manning, of the East Coast RSA, said he was "chuffed" to be able to present June with her certificate in appreciation of her long service.
"It's quite rare for someone to serve for 50 years," he said. "June has carried the RSA and spent her time doing work as part of her philosophy on life."
During her 50 years with the women's section, June has always helped on Poppy Day, helped lay 550 bunches of flowers on the graves in the soldiers' sanctury, organised the first World War I veteran's children's remembrance afternoon and was a founding member in 1996 of the Inner Wheel Club,.
She later became its provincial president and was the local president of the Save the Children Fund, as well as taking on leadership roles as president and treasurer of the Dannevirke Bowling Club's women's section.
