Page 18 - QARANC Vol 20 No 1 2022

18 The Gazette QARANC Association
‘I’ve had a steep learning
curve, but the support
was fantastic’
Steve Bax speaks to Sue McAteer, the Association’s first non- military general secretary and regimental secretary, as she celebrates five years in the role
On this cold and crisp January morning I find Robertson House basking under a rare appearance of the sun. The sky is a glorious blue and I’m visiting regimental headquarters at Sandhurst to interview somebody who spends most of her days here – QARANC’s general secretary and regimental secretary, Sue McAteer.
“I was interviewed by a lot of high ranking people from Army Medical Services including the chief nursing officer – it must have been a bit of risk for them to take on a civilian, but they decided they would give it a go. Of all the regimental secretaries I believe there are only four of us who are not ex-army,” explains Sue.
I find her in good form – relaxed, smiling and providing a warm welcome (and a cuppa). On the wall of her large high-ceilinged office is a striking painting ofaformerColonelinChief, Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowden, and a framed photo of her successor, Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex.
The encouragement and support I’ve received throughout has been fantastic, and the recognition that I bring something different
“I felt a bit out of my depth when I started and it was a steep learning curve, particularly the regimental stuff and getting to know the acronyms, systems, and protocols. There’s was no way I could quickly assimilate the same knowledge as colonels who have been in the army for 15 years or more.“But I have to say that the encouragement and support I’ve received throughout has been fantastic, and the recognition
Sue explains how the Association is funded. Retired members and reservists pay a subscription and serving members of the army contribute through payroll giving.
It allows the Association to do a lot of good, although Sue admits that there is a “comms piece to be done” to get across to the members, particularly those still in service, where their money goes. It often goes on grants to fund adventure training, social functions and welfare.
Sue tells me about a request from members at Portsmouth Hospital recently for funding to showcase and celebrate the different nationalities of staff working there, through an event. “What we aren’t very good at is being able to be there or making sure there is a poster or a banner saying, ‘funded by the Association,’ so most of the those who attend won’t realise that it is going ahead because we helped fund it.
“There’s also quite a bit of work to do to encourage members to apply for grants. It’s a question of pointing out what we’re doing and what we’re here for.”
The variety of those grants is vast – from help to purchase disabled scooters, bathroom conversions, food vouchers, childcare, assisting
Sue is just weeks away
from marking five years in
her post. As a civilian who
is not ex-army, was she surprised to be appointed as regimental secretary and general secretary?
that I bring something different. I can’t think of any resistance at all, which was a surprise certainly.”