June earns RSA salute for ‘rare’ 50 years of service
Stalwart lauded for making ‘huge impact’
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.
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.
June was awarded a merit badge for her 50 years of service, as well as a long-service certificate and a certificate of appreciation.
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.
The women’s section of the RSA in Dannevirke was set up in 1942.
Working with the women’s section had been wonderful.
“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.” June Carr
“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.”
Matiland Manning, of the East Coast RSA, said he was “chuffed” to be able to present June with her certificate.
“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’ sanctuary, organised the 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 president and treasurer of the Dannevirke Bowling Club’s women’s section.