Page 6 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

4 QARANC THE GAZETTE
RHQ Update
It’s difficult to believe that by the time this Gazette drops through your letter box I will have been in post for 18 months. And what an interesting, challenging, rewarding and, I can’t deny, at times stressful, experience it has been! With no Army background (I was previously with the Police Service as a civilian) I am eternally grateful to those who have helped me settle in and educated me along the way; CNOs, Colonels Commandant, Trustees, RHQ personnel and QAs, both serving and retired.
I have been lucky enough to be invited to a whole host of events since I started, although I attended so many church services in the early days I did begin to wonder if I had joined a Religious Order. What all these functions demonstrated to me is the tremendous pride you all have in your Corps and the amazing dedication to nursing, both military and civilian. It really makes my job worthwhile.
As well as official functions, I have been made most welcome on visits to Catterick, James Cook Hospital, DMS Whittington and, most recently, Army HQ in Andover. I hope to fill in the many gaps during the next 12 months. I’m equally grateful to the Branches for their invites and having already been to Millbank, South Downs, Welsh Branch and Chester, I would really welcome the opportunity to meet the other
groups, not least to find out how RHQ can help and any ideas you have for the future of the Association.
I’ve yet to come in for a quiet day in the office. Earlier this year, Alison Spires, having stayed on for a year beyond her original agreement, finally stepped down. She has provided invaluable support and advice to me and countless members, so we owe her a big thank you. I am delighted that she has agreed to stay on as Editor of the Gazette. In April, Alison Roberts joined us as admin assistant and is already making a difference and certainly lightening my load.
One of the significant projects on my agenda is membership of the Association. I have nicknamed it my “Three Peaks Challenge” – Regular, Reservists and Retired. We are already stepping up the visits to our Units to encourage the Regulars to sign up to Payroll Giving, not as automatic as it once was. For the Retired we have been making a concerted effort to get everyone onto Direct Debit payment; so much more efficient for us. Over 60 members have signed up since the beginning of August. A brilliant result! Increasing membership amongst the Reservists is my Ben Nevis in the challenge and I will be working with the Trustees on ways to inform them of the benefits of belonging to the Association.
As we move towards the 70th anniversary year of the Corps, it is especially important that we look at ways to unify the 3 Rs but at the same time recognising that one size doesn’t fit all. Do look at the “Diary Dates” page to see what is planned and try something new in 2019, whether it be the traditional Reunion Lunch or a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum.
I can’t possibly calculate how many QAs I have met since I started but I certainly hope to meet many more of you, both serving and retired over the forthcoming months.
Sue McAteer General Secretary
QARANC Association Membership
Your Association needs you! If you are reading this and are not yet a member of the QARANC Association please feel free to contact your local branch or Regimental Headquarters. If you are about to finish your service then please consider remaining in or re-joining the Association.
There are some good reasons for joining or remaining in your regimental Association. It provides you with access to friends and colleagues both serving and retired, which is important for QAs leaving the service. Benevolence in the form of financial support for those in need is available, through SSAFA or Royal British Legion referral.
Serving members, both regular and reserve, can apply for financial assistance to enable them to undertake certain sporting or adventurous training activities. The Association also assists branches with finance to undertake some
social activities, and provides grants to enable individual members to participate in battlefield tours. A clear focus of the Association is on our Corps history and heritage, and will secure it for the years to come.
This list is not exhaustive but it highlights some of the functions which you may need now or in the future. Your local branch welcomes the chance to meet you, and whether you are currently serving or have left the service, who knows what opportunities could await you? ‘Friendship’ is at the core of our Association and pervades all that we do.
You can find an application form and direct debit mandate at the back of this Gazette. Further information about the Association can be found on the website: https:// qarancassociation.org.uk/