Reunion 2018
The Regular Force Cadet Association (Inc) reunion to mark 70 years of the inception of the RF Cadet School was held in Wellington over the weekend 9 - 11 November 2018.
We took the advice of member Jim Twist of having the reunion at the same time New Zealand celebrated the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1and restricted the formal activity to a dinner on Saturday night, with classes having the freedom to conduct their own activities on Friday night and Saturday lunch.
It was heartening for your reunion committee, led by the Association Patron - Bob Davies with David Ackroyd, Kelvin Hawley and Gordon Forrester, to see such interest and a large turnout of ex cadets and their partners.
The Saturday night dinner, being the essence of the reunion, was well attended with in excess of 440 diners enjoying a wonderful meal in great company. Lots of lies and true stories were swapped!!
One of the highlights was the address by fellow clubbie, Minister of Defence, Hon Ron Mark. Ron was entertaining and at the same time thought provoking with an explanation of his life before joining the RF Cadets, his life as a soldier in NZ and in Oman and what the NZDF is up to now and in the future.
Other highlights were our President and his attempts to tell jokes during his speech. But seriously nice to have Les Pye from Miles Company(1948) propose the loyal toast and Nicky Kelly from Williams Class (1991) propose the toast to absent friends.
A very good representation of clubbies at the Civil Service at the National War Memorial, Pukeahu on Sunday. After the official service the Hon Ron Mark and our President, Kevin Bromwich, laid a wreath to honour ex cadets who fell in battle. May they rest in peace and forever be remembered with pride.
The organising committee would like to thank David Ackroyd for his inspirational suggestion that we use a professional company to manage our reunion. The company of Orbit Travel Ltd, which specialises in corporate events, made for a seamless reunion with most of the heavy lifting done by them.
All that is left to say is to thank all those clubbies and their better halves, our 2 Life Members, Trish Heikoop and Brian Meyer and our Patron, Bob Davies for an excellent weekend.
The committee would like to thank two special ex cadets. Damian Stansfield - Top Products Ltd and Craig Trillo - Trillo Metals Ltd. These clubbies own their own business and sponsored the great lapel pin those at the dinner received. A huge thank you Damian & Craig.
Cheers
Your Reunion Committee