Page 5 - The Gazette Autumn 2024

VIEW FROM THE CHAIR
‘Members make the occasion what it is’
Now I am writing this it is July; it is not warm, and it is wet. Not only do we live in interesting times, but the weather adds another dimension; what else to come?
Spring was pleasant: A number of us gathered in Birmingham for the 75th anniversary Reunion Lunch at the Grand Hotel - an excellent venue. Attendance was by far the greatest I have experienced and numbered 186. The atmosphere – ‘buzzing’ and the bar, thankfully, well stocked. As always, the event is about
many reunions; one table celebrated 40 years since they first met, with one member flying in from afar.
The students did an amazing job sorting the raffle – we have noted that success and are looking to refine this for the future...now, who could donate a prize? There was a team selling the Corps ‘pins,’ their performance would have left a press gang in awe. Well done to the fundraisers and the central team for their organisation.
It is the members who make the occasion what it is. Tracey asked for feedback, this has been received we have discussed and taken note.
Trustees continue
to work together, proactively, reviewing how the future
will affect policies.
We welcome a new trustee, Brig (Retd) David McArthur. David is keenly interested in Heritage; to that end the Board have appointed David Chair of the Heritage Sub-Committee. We will be looking for those with interest who could be co-opted to the sub-committee.
The Board has also appointed Jaqui Hall as Chair of the Membership Sub-Committee, again, we will be looking towards co-opting members. Our aim is that Media and Comms should be centrally managed.
Trustees continue to work together, proactively, reviewing how the future will affect policies, our constitution, our handbook and future functions.
On a financial note, I think it safe to say...we have had nearly four years of a roller coaster ride with investment income, and it now looks like there is coming a stabilisation in the markets.
Look after each other.
John Quinn
Chair Board of Trustees
The Gazette QARANC Association 5
A proud moment to be editor in this anniversary year!
Welcome to issue 183 of The Gazette, shining a light on the accomplishments (and adventures) of QARANC members for 75 years – and our story goes on.
It’s a matter of pride and satisfaction for me to be editor of the magazine at this key moment, and
I hope we’re able to do some justice to the rich history of the Corps in these pages (see
the six page special on page 32, brought to you in partnership with the Museum of Military Medicine) and to capture a sense of how the milestone 75th anniversary is be celebrated, through official events and at branch level.
I’ve been lucky enough to attend a couple of the celebratory events such as the calendar staple Reunion Lunch, in Birmingham’s Grand Hotel this year (p22) and to join QAs for canapes and a glass of bubbly at the beautiful Hampton Court Palace gardens recently. A rare treat.
Speaking of anniversaries, QA’s have been marking 80 years since D-Day (p9), speaking to veterans (p16) and hearing from a spritely 103-year-old who was an eyewitness to history (p18). You will also be interested to
read about the exploits of some of our in-service members who have been on adventures around the world: taking part in the Nijmegen Marches in Holland (p46), teaching nursing in Grenada (p38), pushing their limits on Mt Kilimanjaro (p42) and travelling at 70mph with no seatbelt in a bobsleigh, partnered
with an Olympian (p42).
You can meet our new Regimental Secretary
Susie Squires, on p8, and find out more about the career of our President and Chief Nursing Officer (Army) Col Paul Jackson, on p28, ahead of his retirement this Autumn. I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing Paul much
success in whatever he does next.
Whatever the future holds, we know it is built on solid
foundations. Enjoy the edition.
Steve Bax
Editor, QARANC Gazette