This week, Sqn Ldr Weir met RSA Otago-Southland district president Major (retired) Lox Kellas to finalise the details of the event, to be held on Saturday, November 11, from 10.45am at the cenotaph in Dunedin’s Queens Gardens.
The pair have high hopes for a strong turnout for the remembrance service — which marks 105 years since the end of World War1, at 11am, on November 11, 1918 — given that it falls on a Saturday for the first time in many years.
"We are looking forward to welcoming a multigenerational turnout to Remembrance Day commemorations, alongside representatives of governments, the Defence Force and councils, including Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich," Maj (ret) Kellas said.
Sqn Ldr Weir said, in line with the RSA’s focus on encouraging younger people to become involved with the organisation, the keynote speaker for this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations would be Dunedin Sea Cadet Unit Warrant Officer Olivia Goldsmith, 19.
The unit was formed recently through the amalgamation of TS Nimrod (Port Chalmers) and TS Waireka (Dunedin ).
A former pupil of Logan Park High School, now studying physics and English at the University of Otago, WO Goldsmith will give a youth perspective on serving in the Defence Forces.
"It is very nice to have young people like Olivia involved in large events like this — it is important to encourage new generations to engage with the RSA," Sqn Ldr Weir said.
The remembrance service will begin at 10.55am on November 11, with a two-gun salute by the Otago Gunners Association, and will be led by chaplain Leah Graefe, with the Act of Remembrance by Louisa Chrystal-Lowe, of Bayfield High School.
The Ode will be recited in English by Sqn Ldr Weir, and in te reo by Prof John Broughton.
Sqn Ldr Weir took over as Dunedin RSA president in May, alongside his honorary role as Air Force liaison officer, after 20 years of involvement with cadet forces.
A landscape designer by trade, he has been involved in many organisations, including becoming NZ Cadet Forces unit commander for Dunedin several years ago.
As Dunedin RSA president, Sqn Ldr Weir said he was focused on maintaining the services the organisation provided for returned service people.
Recently, this had included creating a full-time regional role of RSA Otago and Southland district support manager, held by Dunedin-based Niall Shepherd.
RSA Welfare Trust scholarships — applications open
The Dunedin RSA Welfare Trust is offering $1000 scholarships for Dunedin residents who will be taking on tertiary studies next year.
Applicants must have served or have had a spouse, parent or grandparent serve with the New Zealand Defence Force.
For information and application forms, contact the office of Dunedin RSA Welfare Trust by emailing finance@dn-rsa.org.nz or phoning 466-4886. Applications close on November 30.
