A nondescript nonentity, a limb of the oppressed,
I wear no badges on my arm, no medals on my chest,
But though my past is colourless, my future dim and bleak,
I cherish a distinction which is probably unique.

Of all the mass of traffic through the torture ether hurled,
By all the busy Tels of all the navies of the world,
No morse of mine impinged upon a fellow sparker’s ear;
I never sent a signal in the whole of my career.

I used to wonder meekly when control would let me in
To add my little quota to the universal din.
Then realised my destiny, surrendered to my fate,
Eternally to sit and serve by being told to wait.

But once – and only once – I found my baser self constrained
To break the wireless silence I so rigidly maintained.
My weary watch was over, my relief was overdue,
I gently, briefly, pressed the key to see what it would do.

I often sit and wonder where that blameless dot has gone,
If still through endless time and space it hurries bravely on,
Disowned by its creator, and dismissed its parent ship,
Unauthorised, attenuated, lonely little pip.

But though beyond our universe its travels may extend,
It still will bear my fingerprints on reaching journey’s end
And beings in some unknown world may trace it back to me,
As surely as the Flagship did in 1943.

Measures taken include attendance, as observers, by a serving military representative at the Law Commission's "Roadshow" now being held at RSAs up and down the country. This is good, because it ensures that the serving Force is able to see first-hand what the issues really are, as seen by veterans - a unique and important opportunity.

The Defence Force will also be doing its own internal "roadshow" at camps and bases over the next few weeks. Accordingly we have arranged that the RSA interest will be represented at these sessions by District Presidents in their areas. This will enable us to hear first-hand what serving soldiers, sailors and airmen are saying, but also to make RSA views and capabilities known where appropriate.

These and other things illustrate how the public undertakings to improve connections between ex-Service organisations and the serving military are now beginning to be put into effect. But this is a two-way street. There is not much future in our just waiting for Defence to "do something". We must be proactive, and work at it too. After all, one-third of the currently serving military - about 5,000 - come under the present definitions of "veteran".

 Here is an example of pro-active opportunity. The NZDF is running a questionnaire on their Web site, aimed at assisting the WPA rewrite process. We asked whether this opportunity could be made available to veterans as well. The answer was "Yes". In fact it was "Yes, of course".

You will find it here: 

https://forms.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/war-pensions-act-review-survey.asp

or you can get there by going to the main page

http://www.nzdf.mil.nz and clicking on the link with the poppy called 'Towards a new veterans entitlement scheme - your Voice your Choice' and scrolling down to the link ' Fill in a simple online survey'.

Whether or not you have done - or intend to do - a separate response to the Law Commission's discussion document, please also participate in the survey now made available by the NZDF. While it doesnft cover everything you might want to say, it is part and parcel of the process, and is a great opportunity for you to make many points easily.

Regards to all

Robin Klitscher

National President RNZRSA

75th Jubilee Weekend         Antarctica Society Membership         Antarctica Society Application

A nondescript nonentity, a gift of the oppressed,
I wear no badges on my arm, no medals on my chest.
And though my past is colourless, my future dim and bleak.
I cherish a distinction which is possibly unique.

Of all the mass of traffic through the tortured ether hurled,
by all the busy Tels of all the Navies of the World.
No morse of mine impinged upon a fellow sparker's ear,
I never sent a signal in the whole of my career.

I would often sit and ponder when Control would let me in,
to add my little quota to the universal din.
(???) (???) (???) surrendered to my fate.
eternally to sit and serve by being told to wait.

(?)
(?)
(?)
I gently, briefly, pressed the key to see what it would do.

I sometimes sit and wonder where that blameless dot has gone,
and if through endless time and space, it hurries bravely on.
Disowned by it's creator, dismissed it's parent ship,
unauthorised, attenuated, lonely little pip.

(?)
(?)
... ????? ....................................and perhaps,
beings in some far off world will trace it back to me,
as surely as Mountbatten did in 1943.

This review can be downloaded in two parts at www.lawcom.govt.nz under the heading publications.

John Titmus - john.titmus@dia.govt.nz 

Barry Jordan - hilander@paradise.net.nz 

21 Sep - RNZN Anniversary Church Service

5 Oct - NZ WWII Crusier Assn Church Service

11 Nov - Remembrance Day Service - (1100)

16 Nov - Submariners Assn Church Service

7 Dec - Christmas Carol Service

21 Dec - HMS Neptune Church Service

Click Here for Questionaire

and

I too have just undergone major surgery for removal of a grade 2 tumour from one of my kidney's.  I can report that the surgery was a success and all the margins were clear.  

Your committee has also undertaken to review the website and see if we can make it a little more user friendly so if you have any ideas or comments please drop them to me at frank@aumarire.co.nz and all will be considered.  The membership area is currently under construction so pages may change rapidly as the area develops.  Please bear with us during this time. 

Oh by the way we are looking for Association Representatives in the Northland, Christchurch, Timaru, Invercargill, Queensland and Canberra areas - Any takers?

We believe the loyalties, friendships and achievements we shared are worth preserving. We also believe there are many others who feel the same way. But like any ship, our association can only stay afloat if we can find a way to maintain her.

So, at the last Annual General Meeting, the membership voted and passed a resolution to create Foundation Membership. There will only ever be 100 Foundation Members. Each Foundation Member will pay a once only fee of $100, be given a Foundation Membership number between 1 & 100 and a special membership badge identifying him, or her, as a Foundation Member of the Association. In addition, an Honour Roll of Foundation Members will be listed on a special page on the Association web site.

The once-only fee paid by each Foundation member will not be used for general administration. Each member’s fee will be lodged in the Association’s Investment Account where only the interest will be used to provide the solid foundation necessary to ensure the Communications Association remains well afloat for the future.

We think our memories are worth $100. If you agree, there’s a number waiting for you. Why not use it? Please contact Barry on hilander@paradise.net.nz

I am doing some research into the effects of Electromagnetic and Radio Frequency radiation and would appreciate it if any communicators who visited the VLF transmitter site at Navcommsta Honolulu at any time during their naval career, contact me ZL4JAD@nzart.org.nz

Many thanks Jim Dell