Welcome to the Mackenzie District RSA

The Mackenzie RSA was formed in the early 1920’s by the men and women who returned home from the Great War of 1914-1918. The RSA serves to remember those who never returned, and to support the families and those living after returning home from war.

We are an active RSA in South Canterbury, and we meet on a regularly basis.Though we do not own a building or a permanent venue, we are still alive and well in the Fairlie area and representing our veteran community the Mackenzie District.

We commemorate the Gallipoli Landings on ANZAC Day on the 25th of April, with a dawn service and a memorial service in Fairlie. We also remember the end of the Great War on Armistice Day, the 11th of November with a service at 11:11am, at the Albury Tavern in Albury. Remembrance projects and initiatives for supporting veterans of modern conflicts is our legacy to uphold, and serve to support the families of our fallen comrades and assist our wounded to recover and rehabilitate after service through financial assistance, community support, and maintaining a legacy of remembrance for those who served.

We rely on donations from the public to support Kiwi veterans across New Zealand. The Mackenzie RSA directly supports Kiwi veterans struggling with PTSD and reintegration after war, and supporting those who provide means for assisting our people and their families.

Donations ensure we can provide care and assistance to returned veterans and service personnel who are mentally or physically injured in their service to New Zealand, as well as upkeep of local memorials and war graves within local cemeteries.

We need you.

This is a call for all currently serving and former NZDF personnel to join our ranks. The intent of this RSA is to deliver practical assistance and guidance to veterans, and advocate for welfare and support regarding service related injuries including financial assistance and guidance concerning rehabilitation and employment.

Over the last two decades New Zealand personnel have deployed to East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands, and deployed to numerous combat missions, humanitarian crises, and environmental disasters. We need your skills and experience to assist with local projects, and assist in the welfare and administrative needs of elderly and disabled members. We need your help to do it.

Membership fees are $20 per year. On registration we will record the service details of Returned members including any operational service medals awarded, and information pertaining to your service history.

The remembrance of those who died in service to New Zealand is our responsibility. We need your help to do it.

My Intent

My story of service is characterized and given meaning to me by the thousands whom I served alongside, and the beloved memories of comrades who never returned home. Their memory lives on through us who share the story, and how we live our lives after service.
There are many who returned with mental, physical, and spiritual wounds who need assistance from those ready and willing to help with the injuries we may carry long after we return our uniform. Our skills and attributes as former soldiers and officers lend us a unique contribution to our communities as leaders, planners, and people who understand the importance of looking after our communities and families across Aotearoa.
I ask every Kiwi veteran to share their story, and live fully for all those who cannot. I ask you to look after your mates, and to take on the duty of care and support for the families of those wounded or killed in action. The Mackenzie RSA is at your service.
Ryan Gilbert
President, Mackenzie RSA

This video is dedicated to the members of Crib 20, and to those who never returned home from Afghanistan in August of 2012. The footage in this video is compiled from over 200Gb of personal video shot from my GoPro Hero 2.

I was deployed as the reserve vehicle commander to replace my friend, Rory Malone, after he and Pralli Durrer were killed at the Battle of Baghak on the 4th of August. Shortly after our reserve force arrived in Afghanistan, an improvised explosive device took the lives of Luke Tamatea, Jacinda Baker, and Richard Harris on the 19th of August. We deployed to Combat Outpost Romero in northern Khamard, and patrol base Malone-Durrer in Do Abe township and successfully completed our tactical withdraw to Bamian before Crib 20 returned home to New Zealand.

I would stay on with Crib 21, through to the conclusion of the NZPRT in 2013. I am now the President of the Mackenzie District RSA in Fairlie, and this video serves as a commemorative project for remembering our soldiers.

Credits:

Music: After The War - I Am Giant

Ceremonial footage: Aaron Horrell

Welcome to the Mackenzie District RSA

We need you.

My Intent

Contact

Follow Us