Members and Guests enjoyed the warm and convivial atmosphere at the ANZAC Breakfast last week. We all appreciated the ANZAC themed setting featuring poppies, rosemary and carefully selected music playing in the background. O
ur thanks to Michele Mann (and her team) for setting the tone for this special commemorative breakfast ($5 from each breakfast fee going to the RSA).
Guest speaker was Murray Hobson, RNZRSA. He spoke about this year’s theme for the poppy appeal “not all wounds bleed” and how mental health injuries suffered by our servicemen and women are so common, but least understood. It was timely that the government had just announced a $1.1 million funding boost to assist the RSA deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Murray also spoke about disability assistance dogs who are being specially trained to support and comfort veterans with PTSD. The dogs are proven to reduce issues with social anxiety, irritability and memory loss. The service dogs are valued at approx. $50,000 with so far only one NZ veteran in line to get a dog. This year’s Poppy Appeal was fundraising for this dog and Murray felt sure more funds will be found to invest further in this significant K9 service.
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Michele's passion ensured this fundraiser came together beautifully.
Brenda, Michele and Katrina (Michele's theme-setting assistants)
Some of the many attendees
Michele and Aubrey
Mark and Peter