New RSA national president Tony Hill,
Just days into his appointment as new Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association national president, Cambridge’s Tony Hill has signalled a ‘back to basics’ approach that will centre on an expectation around behaviour and broaden the reach of assistance to veterans.
New RNZRSA national president, Cambridge’s Tony Hill, pictured at his Wellington appointment with national vice president Malcolm Wallace. Photo: supplied
Hill’s appointment was made at this month’s 109th National Council in Wellington. He takes over from Sir Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford.
He held multiple titles during the previous year – one of two national vice-presidents, district president for the Waikato, King Country and Bay of Plenty, and president of the Cambridge RSA – and served on several different committees.
Trimming three official roles down to one will be easier, he said. “I now have a single focus, even though it’s a wide one. Not having a lot to do at those different levels will make things more streamlined.”
Hill said his first priority was to ‘get back to basics’ in advocating for veterans and their families, whether or not they belong to an RSA. The organisation has been rolling out support hubs around the country, increasing visibility around the advocacy work it does, and broadening its reach.
New RNZRSA national president, Cambridge’s Tony Hill, being welcomed with a haka at this month’s Remembrance Sunday civic ceremony, performed by members of the Hamilton city cadet unit. Photo: Michael Jeans.
“Whether you have served, or are still serving, our priority is to support you and your family in practical, meaningful ways,” he said. “Our Poppy Trust is there to make a real difference to veterans’ lives, and that of their families, in whatever way it might be needed. RSAs are completely colour-blind, help offered is based on genuine need and we will go to great lengths to provide it. All people need to do is approach us.”
Also on his agenda is a more disciplined approach to what he described as ‘bad behaviour’ recently reported within the RSA network.
Helping Hill through his three-year tenure will be Ruawhitu (Anaru) Pokaia as kaumātua. Photo: supplied
He said there had been incidences where bad behaviour on the part of some members had come to light – some are still under investigation.
“I have zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviour at any level. I have a high expectation of behaviour within our organisation and I intend leading by example. I liken our RSA movement to a flotilla of ships. We are all different types of vessels – sizes and models of RSAs – but we should all be going in the same direction.
“We are all allowed to express different opinions, of course, but my advice is to make sure that what you are doing goes back to the fundamentals of what we stand for, and that opinions are raised with integrity and respect.”
A dwindling membership in some of the smaller RSAs is another challenge. He acknowledges the difficulties faced by younger members who are busy with careers and young families and conceded that the organisation has ‘work to do’ on that.
Hill, who was elected unopposed, now heads an organisation comprising over 182 RSAs – a changing number because of the creation of sub-branches – and over 65,000 members.
“I am incredibly proud to be representing all of our RSAs, big and small,” he told The News. “It was also particularly special for me to have been presented with the korowai cloak made by weaver Alecia Collins and worn for the first time in the Cambridge Town Hall in 2022 by the then national president BJ Clark.
“He was one of my mentors when I was a young officer. We served together. It feels incredibly special that we share that circular connection with the korowai and Cambridge.”
Providing support for Hill, who believes this is the first time a Cambridge resident has become national president, is Malcolm Wallace as national vice-president, and Ruawhitu (Anaru) Pokaia as kaumātua.
New RSA national president Tony Hill, at his first outing in the role – speaking at the November 9 Remembrance Sunday civic ceremony at the Cambridge Town Hall piazza. Photo: Michael Jeans.
