Expo to support ex-servicepeople
COLLABORATION: Front row from left, John Bluett, Mac Kingi, Brett Te Wheoro, Bernadine Mackenzie and Gavin Nicol, with back row from left, Frances Te Kani, Victor Hape, Tania King, Watson Kume, Katrina Nicol, Steffan Wanoa, Kevin Riesterer and Nicole McCarthy. Photo Troy Baker E4853-04
Brianna Stewart
The Eastern Bay’s RSA organisations are hard at work planning an expo to cater to all ex-military service people young and old from the Mataatua region next month.
The Ex-Military Expo is set to be held across September 17 and 18 and centred at Whakatāne RSA and Mitchell Park.
Representatives from local RSAs of Te Kaha, Ōpōtiki, Rūātoki, Te Teko, Kawerau, and Whakatane, and Te Puna Ora o Mataatua met recently with Veterans’ Affairs head Bernadine MacKenzie and project advisor Brett Te Wheoro to discuss the plan.
Whakatāne RSA president Victor Hape said the objective of the expo was to provide support to ex-military service people who served New Zealand, whether they deployed operationally or not, and who live within our communities.
The expo will help them discover what is available to them.
The 17th, a Tuesday, has been designated as an evening information session for people who cannot attend the following day’s event due to work or other commitments.
The Wednesday event would see representatives from organisations offering support services to our ex-military community, with the main expo area in Mitchell Park housed under a large marquee and inside the RSA building where space will be available for any one on one case work, mirimiri or other therapeutic work to take place in private.
Refreshment and rest areas will be provided.
Timings for both days are intended to cater for those who can attend where they can.
Tuesday’s event will be doors open at 5pm for a 6pm presentation from local RSAs, the NZDF Benefits Team, Veterans Affairs and others.
Wednesday will see doors open at 10am, closing at 3pm for those who are travelling.
Mr Hape said the expo was for all ex-military service persons and their whānau who live in our communities, whether they deployed or not.
“There is an obligation that the Government through Veterans Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, Accident Compensation Corporation etcetera provide formal support to those that meet criteria.
“Our RSAs also have an obligation to provide support to those ex-military persons in what every capacity they can, so please come along and find out what sort of support might be available for you and your whānau.”