Rotorua reunion hit with vets

Veterans of the Malaysia-Indonesia conflict attending their biennial reunion enjoy the Rotorua hospitality so much they've decided to return in 2014.

More than 200 members of 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment are in Rotorua for the second time.

The city first hosted the battalion reunion in 2010 and they voted overwhelmingly to return this year.

At a meeting yesterday at the Rotorua RSA battalion members decided to return for the 2014 reunion.

The 1st Battalion, or Gurr Battalion, named after their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel R. M. Gurr, saw action on the Malayan Peninsula and Borneo in Southeast Asia from 1963 to 1965. New Zealand supported the Malaysian Government against Indonesian incursions threatening the newly formed Malaysian nation.

These actions saw the unit awarded an OBE for the commanding officer, two Military Crosses and a Military Medal.

The unit returned to New Zealand in 1965 and its place was taken by the Poananga Battalion.

Since their return they have held reunions almost every two years, mostly in Palmerston North near Linton Army Camp where the present 1st Battalion is based.

Rotorua RSA manager Roly Rolston said the decision to return to Rotorua was made because Rotorua lends itself to hosting a reunion. "I'd like to think we did a good job but they love it here especially when we get a mayoral reception and they get to go up Skyline Rotorua."

Organising committee member Henry Macown said it had been an excellent reunion.

For him there were a number of highlights including the march past at Muruika urupa (cemetery) at Ohinemutu.

Mr Macown enjoyed meeting up and being able to host old friends and brothers at the Rotorua RSA.

"There's a lot of memories passed over those tables."

It was the "fun and hard-case times" they talk about rather than "the dark experiences of war", Mr Macown said.

Te Arawa Maori Returned Services League president Te Kei Merito said from a Te Arawa perspective it was an honour to be involved in hosting the battalion reunion especially for those that have recently passed on such as Henare Morehu. Mr Merito was looking forward to hosting the 2014 reunion.

Other activities included visits to the Agrodome and the Rotorua Museum where the 28 (Maori) Battalion display was popular.

The main event for the veterans was the formal battalion dinner held last night at the Rotorua Convention Centre with the guest of honour being the Governor-General, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

 

Email: whare.akuhata@dailypost.co.nz