Milestone for one of the first RSA women's sections

Nora Tunbridge and president Pam Dawson perform the honours at the Wanganui RSA women's section 75th anniversary. Photo/ Stuart Munro

The Wanganui RSA women's section has marked 75 years and handed out two life memberships.

Formed in 1942 it was one of the first women's sections in the country and Sunday's celebration included a lunch and cake cutting.

The life memberships were awarded to Elizabeth Helleur and Nita Riley while the celebration was attended by members from the wider region including Dannevirke, Bulls, Foxton, Sanson and Ohakea.

"It was set up by these women to help their husbands who were all returned service people," president Pam Dawson said.

"They helped with the poppy collection and all those sort of things, doing the catering for funerals."

Nowadays the group meet every second Wednesday and have coffee meetings.

"It's a get-together of all of these ladies who have some connection with the RSA.

"We have sometimes between 40 and 60 members come so it really is a good turn out."

The Wanganui RSA women's section has about 80 members in total.