Page 4 - The Gazette Autumn 2023

4 The Gazette QARANC Association
‘Friendship is our strength’
Recently I have been thinking about what makes us great as a Corps. Everyone I speak to, regulars, reserves and retired are all proud of their service in the QARANC ranging from those starting their careers to a 104-year-old veteran. All members shine a light on how lucky we are in the Army to have such professional and caring individuals who go above and beyond to make peoples life better whether they be patients, Staff or friends and family.
We as a Corps hold a special place in the Army and Veteran community as I constantly get told how well you are all doing and what a great ethos we have. ‘In Friendship’ is more than just a moto in the QARANC, it’s the way we are.
This pride and Esprit de Corps have been represented across the world this year. The biggest event being the Coronation of King Charles III where 27 QAs and Col Kefford were involved in the parade, they conducted themselves magnificently as I am sure you saw on the TV.
Congratulations to those members who received awards in the King’s Birthday Honours list, SSgt Stephanie Phillip (243 FH) awarded the Cavell Star,
More than 50% of that nursing cohort achieved First Class honours which is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates the quality of people who come into the Corps.
Capt Melissa Godfrey (212 FH) awarded the Sword of Honour at RMAS Reserve PQO course, Maj Becky Rogers, who will be the first QA filling an RMO post, Lt Col Maggie Hodge Rowing around the British Coast Line as part of Team Ithaca in a World Record time of 44 days, Cpl Sophie Bladek and Cpl Belinda Houghton getting on the Elite sports program and 20 members gaining their Corps colours. Not forgetting Lt Col (Retd) Lynn Adam, who received her RRC from the King in Scotland on 75th Anniversary of the NHS. All these achievements are celebrated by us.
We welcome new members, those that have recently completed phase 1 training. And those that have graduated from the HCA School at DMS Whittington and BCU as Registered Nurses, who I was fortunate to meet on the day. More than 50% of that nursing cohort achieved First Class honours which is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates the quality of people who come into the Corps.
Other events that have occurred since the last edition are an excellent CNO Symposium and the Corps Day celebration in Portsmouth, with thanks to the organisers JHG South. In June we held a CPD event that covered a lot of ground that we have continued to build upon over the course of this year.
The Association continues to support our serving and veteran members, thanks to the Chair and Trustees and welcome to our newest trustees SSgts Sebastian Mwaura and Chloe Brahmbhatt. The Association Reunion Lunch in April at the Victory Services Club was a superb day and so good to see so many friends new and old. We are already looking forward to next year’s event in The Grand Hotel, Birmingham.
Last issue I updated you on Project VICTORIA. Unavoidably external factors have delayed the timeline and we cannot yet publicly announce the decision. I can reassure you that the greatness and all the Corps stands for will endure. The breadth and excellence of the Corps continues, and we are as strong as we could be. As soon as we can disclose the decision we will.
I will end with a thank you to two people who are leaving us who over the last six years have made a significant contribution to leading the Corps to where we are today. Sue McAteer, the Regimental Secretary, retires in September after providing a great support to us all, keeping us in line, and organising the majority of events over her time. We also say farewell to Col Carol Kefford OBE, the Col Commandant. She has been instrumental in guiding three CNOs throughout their tenures and representing the Corps in many areas. We wish her well in the future. A great welcome to her replacement Andrea Lewis who took over the reins in July.
I look forward to next year which will be the Corps 75th, we are planning some big celebrations for you to look out for.
Col Paul M Jackson KHN
Chief Nursing Officer (Army) President of the QARANC Association