Alf's Imperial Army Oamaru Regiment (back row, from left) Nathalie Brown, with dog Babe, Sophia Leon de la Barra, Bill Blair, Graeme Simpson, Graeme Martin, Chris Jones, Slim Hurring, Art Hurring, (front row, from left) Iain Clark, Wendy Simpson, David Sutton and Kahren Thompson mark the Queen's 90th birthday yesterday with a sandwich and cup of tea outside the Waitaki District Council buildings in Oamaru.
The army was founded in Australia in 1972 by Ian Brackenbury Channell, who later became the Wizard of New Zealand, while he was studying at Melbourne University.
Its aim was to reduce hatred and violence on campus. When the Wizard moved soon after to New Zealand, the army followed and regiments were established in towns and cities around the country.
Major David Sutton, of the Oamaru regiment, said it was important to recognise the Queen's birthday given her work across the globe.
"She's a fine example to us all.''
