Page 7 - The Gazette Autumn 2024

Busy times in Association’s ‘engine room’
Tracey Buckingham gives an update on her first 12 months serving as the QARANC Association’s Administration Manager.
The past year has whizzed by in the ‘engine room’ of the Association. I hadn’t realised before how much work goes in to keeping things afloat and functioning.
I am in awe of the work the Trustees do on your behalf. Their time is given unpaid and they do it because they are passionate about the Association and its members. All trustees are busy; however, the benevolence and grants committee have
been extremely busy. We have received 66 grant applications and supported 58 of them, this does not include the extra funding towards funding Corps Day, CPD activities and the QARANC 75th Anniversary Event. Grants have enabled members to promote comradeship, foster esprit de Corps and to that end preserve Corps and Army traditions.
Lt Col (Retd) Merrill Bate and the Governance Committee have been busy reviewing policies and procedures. Audits and reviews are flying around at a fast pace to keep us compliant and in a good place. The Risk Register is reviewed regularly and no longer gathers dust; in fact, there is no time for the dust to settle! It’s all go-go-go.
Corps and Association events throughout the year have been well supported and there has been an over demand for attendance. The work behind the scenes to make these a success must not be forgotten, with thanks due to all involved.
The 2024 Reunion Lunch received at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham was attended by 180 members. The Ballroom was buzzing and there was an abundance of happy vibes as friends and colleagues reunited. More than £1,600 was raised at the event through our raffle and the sale of pin badges.
The QARANC 75th Anniversary Dinner at Hampton Court Palace was attended by 210 serving and veterans members. It was certainly a night to remember and for once the weather was on our side. Thanks to the generosity of funding to support this from the QARANC Officers Mess and the Association.
I had the privilege to visit Lieutenant Launa Mary Stevenson QAIMNS (now Launa Hawkins) a very youthful 103 years who shared her memories and stories. My visit to see her in Devon also allowed me to spend time with Jurassic Coast members during an Afternoon Tea boat trip. It was fabulous to meet everyone, and all were in great spirit.
We recently welcomed the new QARANC Regimental Secretary Susie Squires in July. In time Susie will be out and about meeting as many members as possible. It is great to have Susie on board as part of the team.
I would like to say the next few months we will be a little quieter but alas that is not the case. As soon as the summer holidays are over with its back to the grind and more meetings, planning and policies to be updated. For now, we will enjoy the sunshine, whilst we can.
The Gazette QARANC Association 7
Association Medal winner Sheila goes the extra miles (literally!)
The QARANC Association Medal Winner for 2024 is Lt Col (Retd) Sheila Jones from our Scottish Branch.
Sheila has been Secretary since October 2018, a key committee appointment on which the success of the Branch depends. The role requires great attention to detail, excellent communication skills as well as a real affinity with people, qualities which Sheila has in spades.
Her citation noted that Sheila is an amateur sleuth and would give Miss Marple a run for her money. A quote from her citation reads
“What is little known about Sheila is that she also possesses outstanding detective skills! Not something that immediately springs to mind as a requirement for the role of Secretary!
“However, last summer we were having difficulty contacting one of our more senior members who lives in rural Perthshire. Sheila contacted other members in her local area to ask if they had heard from her, as well as HQ to check that we did indeed have the correct details.
“Having exhausted all avenues with no success, Sheila then decided that she would drive north to track her down, which she did by speaking to staff in the cafes and shops she was known to frequent, who in turn contacted neighbours and eventually our lost member, who then made contact with Sheila.
“There was a simple explanation, but the experience allowed us to establish more reliable communication methods going forward and demonstrates that she is always willing to go the extra mile on behalf of our members.”