4 INTERCLUB • VOLUME 29, ISSUE 2 - 2023 REACHING CLUBS SINCE 1995 CLUB LIFE: BLUFF MEMORIAL RSA Bluff Memorial RSA’s home is a two storey building with a museum upstairs. Sue Russell Bluff Memorial important to the wider community AVENAL PARK F U N E R A L H O M E Funeral Directors A S S O C I A T I O N O F N Z M E M B E R Honouring life and celebrating memories 0800 033 925 or 03 218 9021 office@avenalpark.co.nz | www.avenalpark.co.nz WWW.SOUTHPORT.CO.NZ LOGISTIC & WAREHOUSING SOLUTIONS P R O U D T O S U P P O R T B L U F F M E M O R I A L R S A Your Legal Solution Residential Conveyance • Will Estates & Trusts Rural Conveyance • Commercial • Litigation Criminal • Family • Civil • Debt Recovery • Employment 80 Kelvin St, Invercargill | (03) 218 2182 | office@eagles-eagles.co.nz | eagles-eagles.co.nz The Bluff Maritime Museum is home to an extensive collection of model boats, displays, photographs and a working triple expansion engine. Pride of place is the OYSTER BOAT MONICA, situated beside the museum. 241 Foreshore Road, Bluff. Phone 212 7534 Email: bluff@bluffmuseum.nz Hours: Monday - Friday, 10am to 4.30pm Weekends: 12.30pm to 4.30pm Admission Fee: Adults $5 Children $1 BLUFF MARITIME MUSEUM The museum gives an insight and understanding of the rich maritime history of Bluff. 2558625 There’s a sense of stability at Bluff Memorial RSA, despite the challenges that have come these past few years and impacted many clubs. That stability begins with club President< Phil Dickens, who has been in the role 9 years, following a year as Vice President, following a year on the committee. Phil says another strength is the relatively large committee, with 12 members, compared with many clubs. That number includes Lynly Mullen, Treasurer, Hamish Wyatt, Secretary for 12 years and Robbo Robertson Welfare Advisor, who is ex-military. “We’re an old club with a cemented place in this community. Bluff has a population of about 1800 and we are the only chartered club so our place is quite important to the wider community,” Phil says. Membership is at about 250 and the club is open from Tuesday to Saturday, serving up a bistro meal on Friday. Bluff Memorial RSA’s home is a two storey building with a museum upstairs. “Over the years we’ve done endless renovations to the old building and it serves us well,” says Phil. He says while there’s an aging population at one end, the committee is endlessly appealing for young people to join. They don’t need to have any association with the services and will be made to feel very welcome. Someone who has helped build up the energy of the club is Paula Brown, committee member and back-seat manager of the Bistro which, with her enthusiasm and drive, has become a really important part of weekly life at the club. Paula, who is ex-Navy, says they have worked hard to turn the Bistro into something more than a small side offering of fries to enjoy when members are having a drink. “We wanted to change that to encourage all members and especially families to see the Bistro as an entity in its own right. “We have an amazing chef who delivers flavoursome appropriate meal offerings to our guests and its great to see the Bistro has really taken off,” says Paula. Punctuated with Quiz nights and entertainment events, Paula says Bluff Memorial RSA is in a good situation and has a bright future. This is Paula’s second year on the committee and she describes the committee as really positive to be involved with. Numbers on a quiet night through the Bistro might be 20 to 30, however that often pumps up to 60 or 70. “The Bistro has been part of the RSA for a good 20 years but its really turned around recently to becoming the focus reason why guests visit. We’re thrilled about that!” Robbo Robertson takes his Welfare responsiblities seriously. As a District Support Advisor his domain extends over Otago and Southland. As ex-Military Robbo says he knew a lot of the Vets. He says he ‘stumbled’ into the role when he joined the RSA, but really enjoys the responsibilities. “In the last three years I have had about 500 contacts with Vets. Contact may last as little as 15 minutes or many hours depending on the needs of the person.” In terms of care under his wing, anyone who signed up within the Defence Force at any time and for any length of time qualifies for ongoing RSA support. “Sometimes its injury related, other times it might be picking up medication and then again often its just listening to them and having a natter.”
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