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Committee members of the newly established Otago branch of the New Zealand Malaya Veterans' Association, Otago ex-servicemen (from left) Murray Hood, Ross Andrews and Peter Ashford, enjoy reading the association's monthly magazine yesterday. Photos by Craig Baxter. |
Ex-servicemen from throughout Otago are meeting in Dunedin
today as members of the newly formed Otago branch of the New
Zealand Malaya Veterans' Association.
In August, Waikouaiti resident Ross Andrews inquired whether
fellow veterans were interested in establishing the branch.
To date, about 15 veterans, including one from Alexandra,
have joined.
The branch committee includes Mr Andrews, a former New
Zealand Army serviceman, as president, former Royal Air Force
serviceman Peter Ashford as vice-president and former New
Zealand Navy serviceman Murray Hood as secretary and
treasurer.
Mr Andrews said his motivation in establishing a branch was
to foster comradeship and support for those who served in
Malaya, Malaysia, Singapore and Borneo.
He was a member of the national association, which previously
had branches in Ashburton and Invercargill but none in
between.
Mr Andrews said there was benefit in spending time with those
who knew what it was like to serve in Malaya between the late
1940s and 1980s.
The branch's first meeting was held in Dunedin last month,
when members were registered.
The second meeting will be held tonight, from 6.30pm at the
Leviathan Hotel.
Anyone interested in joining the branch was welcome to
attend, Mr Andrews said.
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