RSA to decide on interim home

The Rotorua RSA has been forced to close down.

Rotorua RSA members will decide on Saturday where they will set up a temporary home, before they formally mark the end of an era.

The extraordinary general meeting at the Arawa Lounge at Rotorua Racecourse is at 9.30am and will be followed at 11.30am with an ensign ceremony at the former RSA building on Haupapa St, a celebration of the 99 years the association has existed.

President William McDonald will lower the ensign outside the building and take it home for safeguarding until the association has new premises of its own.

"It's saying goodbye to the old girl," he said. "It's marking the end of an era.

"Anyone and everyone is invited along, it's a recognition that we're saying goodbye. When we reopen we will endeavour the 'break' of the flag, the ensign is part of that."

Flag-breaking is when a flag is folded up and hoisted to the top of the flagpole, where it unfurls.

"It's part sorrow that we got to this point but there is hope of making a fresh start."

Mr McDonald said just three items were on the meeting agenda: the current situation, future plan and a decision on a temporary home.

The association had talked with other Rotorua clubs about reciprocal rights but it would be up to the members to decide where they wanted to go in the interim. The longer-term plan remained to revive the RSA and find a new permanent home.

The various RSA clubs were currently scattered around the city, Mr McDonald said.

"It's a temporary measure and they'll come back but that is predicated on the basis we can house them. One area we can't provide for at the moment is bowls and the ballroom dancers."

It had been a difficult time, he said, but he had been buoyed by the members' support.

"It's a foundation; we're here for the community. So many in the community have connections. There are very few families in Rotorua who have not had someone serve overseas. The RSA is a cornerstone of the community."

The Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust has agreed to buy memorabilia from the RSA for about $80,000 and it will be kept at the Rotorua Museum until a new home is found. Borrowed items are being returned to families.

The building was on the market, Mr McDonald said, but the form of sale had not been decided.