Lumsden RSA Small but lively
Lumsden RSA president Evan Hankey’s father was old enough and ready to go to war. He never made it. Just before he was shipped out overseas it was decided that as a farmer and shearer, his manpower was needed throughout the country.
He felt guilty about not going overseas with the other troops and felt quite upset for some time, Hankey says.
It was a curse that appears to run in the family.
As Hankey grew up, he had to be part of compulsory military training, and was involved until it closed in the 1950s.
Following this he joined the army and trained at the Burnham Army Base in Canterbury.
But he, like his father, only ever came close to going overseas to fight for his country.
The Lumsden RSA was established about 1938, and the group moved to a new building in the mid 1950s.
Hankey has been a member for about 15 years and president since 2005.
He’s been considering giving up the role for a while, but the problem is who will take it over?
‘‘I can’t get rid of the job. The only way out is in a box,’’ he laughs.
It’s one of the smaller RSAs in Southland. There are 26 members, one of whom is the last remaining World War II veteran from Lumsden.
There are a few younger members, Hankey says. He means those in their 40s and 50s. The majority of the members are more than 70 years old. It’s always a priority to get more people joining up. But he believes many don’t want to have the responsibility of doing anything.
The Lumsden RSA is a branch of the Gore association. To Hankey, linking with that group was the best thing they could have done.
So many of the country’s RSAs are getting so small, he just doesn’t know where the numbers come from when they remain independent.
‘‘We’ve got to keep it alive,’’ he says.
The pale green RSA building is shared with the senior citizens group. Colourful flowers, courtesy of Hankey’s wife, help brighten the town and make the building look used.
A grand picture of Winston Churchill hangs above the entrance doorway, and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth is on the other side.
The women’s division of the Lumsden RSA is the oldest in New Zealand.
Among their members are a husband and wife team who both served in Afghanistan.
The RSA approached them on their return and invited them to join.
As time goes on the RSAs change too.
What started as a support group for returned servicepeople has grown to inviting any old member of the public, and helping out the Scouts and Girl Guides.
Members are now entitled to a card that offers discounts and benefits.
‘‘The only time people join things is to get something out of it,’’ Hankey says.
There’s a monthly meeting for members, and every now and again some will take a group trip.
Most recently they took a bus trip to the Fiordland Military Museum near Te Anau.
Members of the RSA will always attend the funerals of any members who pass away, in recognition of their lives.
They serve as a lesson for Hankey.
‘‘You get to a certain time in life and realise how short it is.’’