Turning big 60 in style

The RSA Carterton women's section has celebrated its 60th birthday - and the president has been awarded a life membership.

On Friday, about 50 women, members and past members, got together to share cake and award trophies.

The Women's Section offers welfare and support services to ex-service personnel and their families, as well as the wider community.

Membership is open to near relatives of returned servicemen, specifically wives and partners, widows, mothers, sisters and daughters, or women who have themselves served overseas.

Rex Kenny, of the Carterton RSA, gave a speech thanking the members for all their work in the community, such as running collections on poppy day and holding stalls in town.

"You have given numerous donations over the years to various organisations.

"Today you celebrate 60 years and that's some achievement."

He invited several members to come up for trophies, including eight-year president Frances Campbell, who was awarded a life membership.

"I have to say that today, sitting in this room and seeing the affection that you all have for Frances, that award is totally deserved."

Campbell joined the women's section in 1953 when it was first formed, after her marriage to Jim Campbell, who had returned from World War II.

Treasurer Jan Walker, awarded for 10 years' service, said the members were a "lovely, lovely bunch of ladies. I've been here 11 years and they just took me under their wing and away you go. Anything that happens within a family, like a death, they're just all there."