JUNE 2002
Hail and farewell
After just on 14 years' service dedicated to helping veterans, their widows and
dependants access the pensions and welfare assistance they were entitled to,
RNZRSA's senior advisory officer, Tere Putland, has retired to a tract of land
in the Wairarapa, to, as he says, "look after the welfare of a different species
of animal."
RNZRSA Senior Advisory Officer Tere Putland hands over to his successor Margaret Snow
Tere's duties at RNZRSA Headquarters have been taken over by another former
member of the 'Senior Service', Lancashire-born Margaret Snow.
Tere says he thoroughly enjoyed his time with RNZRSA. "I've seen a lot of
changes in the war pensions system over the years," he says. "Some of them
bad, but I believe the majority have been good, especially the starting up
of the War Pensions Claims Panels after the old War Pensions Board was put
to rest, and RNZRSA's liaison and work with the War Pensions Appeal Board
has grown stronger over the years."
He says, the setting up of the Office of Veterans' Affairs was another giant
leap forward. "The inauguration of that office did a lot to get veterans
away from being seen as beneficiaries, which is something they are not. They
are entitled to a war pension or assistance through the war pension scheme.
They have actually earned the right and that is something that has been very
strong with me."
Tere says he will miss the personal contact he has had with the veteran
community and the satisfaction of being able to assist them in gaining their
legal entitlements to pensions and welfare facilities.
Farewell Tere, thanks for a job well done. You will be missed.
Tere's successor, Margaret Snow, joined the Women's Royal Naval Service in
Britain as a radar plotter in 1968, serving in the UK and Holland.
This article was sent in by Brian Spooner Tuesday, January 30, 2007
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