HMNZS Ngapona Association Inc
We are an Incorporated Society with the following objects:
a. To foster and promote comradeship amongst former members of the RNZNVR and HMNZS Ngapona, in particular, those having an association with, or an interest in, the RNZN and/or RNZNVR, and members of the Association.
b. To encourage an interest in the history of HMNZS Ngapona and maintain a permanent record.
c. To support HMNZS Ngapona if and when required.
d. To liaise and co-operate with other Divisions of the RNZNVR and the RNZN.
e. To encourage membership of the Association.
If you know any ex Ngapona people who are not members please encourage them to join. (Membership form attached.)
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - AUGUST 2024
It is with pleasure that I present my Annual Report for the HMNZS Ngapona Assn.
The past year has been an unusually quiet one for the Association. Our monthly lunches continue to be the main activity for the Association but sadly the attendance is somewhat patchy. The lunches offer the opportunity to gather on a regular basis and perhaps we should consider additional attractions, such as guest speakers, to attract greater participation. The Committee has decided that next year we should hold the lunches at one central RSA and have chosen Te Atatu. The exceptions will be Swanson in January, Waiheke in March and Birkenhead in November. These three RSAs are always well attended. Unfortunately, the Waiheke lunch had to be cancelled this year due to some changes in the catering arrangements. We have been advised that it will be available later this year.
I am disappointed to report that little progress has been made with interaction with other Reserve Divisions over the last year. As it is one of the Objects of the Association, I am keen to see this develop. It would be great to see our Association eventually become a national body for the Naval Reserves.
Our membership has remained fairly static during the last twelve months, and this is a worry. Like many other organisations, we are failing to attract the younger generation. I would welcome any ideas from our members on how we could address this issue. One initiative we have promoted is for serving members of HMNZS Ngapona to join the Association at no cost. This enables us to capture their personal email address so that they can be contacted when they leave Ngapona. It is a little disappointing that we have very little participation from serving members at any of our activities. We realise that they all have full time jobs, but it is another reason that we should look at rejuvenating our image.
The weekly newsletter, which has been sent out without a miss for the last thirteen years, has become an onerous task and it was decided to reduce it to a monthly newsletter, sent as a reminder on the Monday before our monthly lunch, or other important events. This remains our primary means of communication and is sent, not only to our members, but also to a large group of serving members of the NZDF and civilians. I know the editor would welcome any editorial items that you would like included in the newsletter.
In the planning stage is the centenary of HMNZS Ngapona to be held in November this year. You will be kept informed as details come to hand.
I would like to acknowledge the passing of Gordon Cattermole in August last year. Gordon was a stalwart of the Association and a founding member.
Finally, a big ‘thank you’ to the Committee for the work they have done during the last twelve months, I appreciate the time you have spent attending meetings and running the Association. A particular thank you to Shane Kennedy who has taken over as the CO’s Rep and has kept the lines of communication open with Ngapona. And thank you also to you the members, for your attendance at Association functions during the year.
Jerry Payne
President
HMNZS Ngapona Association Inc