Junk yard war looms for Army mechanics

Army mechanics will turn junk into treasure this weekend in a scrapheap build-off that will see teams use old parts to build working mechanical contraptions set by a panel of judges.

The scrap yard challenge is part of the annual Logistic skills competition that will be held at Burnham Camp this weekend to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (RNZALR).

The Army's best drivers, chefs, stewards, mechanics, suppliers and administrators will compete across the wide spectrum of trades that make up the RNZALR.

Each trade group of the regiment aims to demonstrate their excellence within trade while highlighting the individual skill of its team members.

Drivers will negotiate varying driving tasks and situations they could be exposed to whilst deployed on operations as they compete for the Driver of the Year. This will see drivers use the wide variety of military vehicles the NZ Army operates including the UNIMOG, Pinzgauer and heavy lift truck and trailers.

Chefs will battle it out in the kitchen while stewards aim to provide top class service when they compete for the Roy Smith Trophy. They will be cooking up top class cuisine for invited guests including Chief of Army Major General Rhys Jones, local MP Amy Adams and the Selwyn District Mayor Kelvin Coe.

Supply technicians will encounter complex supply chain management issues as they battle for the Rickshaw Trophy; and the administrators will be required to solve many HR problems to gain recognition as the top administrator.

The weekend will also see soldiers demonstrating their fitness and shooting skills as they compete to win team and individual shooting matches.

Skills competitions are an integral part of being a soldier in the New Zealand Army and aims to demonstrate excellence within both trade and individual soldiering skills.

ENDS

For further information or media wishing attend any of the events contact Jane Wright, Communication Adviser, 3rd Land Force Group on 03 3630032 or 021 2248658.

Note: All trade competitions begin on Friday morning and complete on Saturday at approx 3:00pm
Catering - Roy Smith Competition
Workshops - Farrier Cup
Transport - Driver of the Year
Supply / Quartermaster - Rickshaw Trophy
Movements
Administration

Background

On the 8th December 1996, Her Majesty The Queen approved the disestablishment of the three logistic corps of the New Zealand Army; The Royal New Zealand Corps of Transport, The Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps and The Corps of Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

The then Chief of General staff, Major General P. M. Reid, signed the directive 07/96 to form the New Zealand Logistic Regiment on the 4th April 1996. On the 9th of December 1996, a single Army logistic regiment was established, known as The Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.

The 4th April 2010 sees the 14th anniversary of the RNZALR and the passing of 12 years of change and development within the Regiment, including the disbandment of a number of the original units formed at its inception.

Through these many developments the Officers and Soldiers of the RNZALR have always maintained a high level of professionalism and continued to provide services second to none to the New Zealand Defence Force and wider New Zealand communities.

RNZALR 'Roy Smith Memorial Trophy Competition'
Roy Kenneth Smith joined the Army in 1971 as a Regular Force Cadet in Upham Class. During his first year he was apprenticed as a chef. Upon his graduation he was posted to 1 Transport Company (GS), as a loan back cook with 1 Ranger Squadron.

His next posting was to the Tourist Hotel Corporation at Waitomo in October 1973. In April 1974 he was posted to Central Company, Wellington Platoon. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the llth of September 1974. Lance Corporal Smith was tragically killed in a train accident in April 1976.

Upon his death the contributions for a wreath were such that, after the floral tribute was purchased, a substantial sum remained. It was unanimously agreed that a Rosebowl and miniatures be purchased and presented to the Corps for an Inter-District Catering competition amongst apprentice chefs, as a memorial to Lance Corporal Smith. Approval to hold the competition was granted on the 8th of October 1976.

The first competition was held in June 1977 and was fittingly won by Central Company, Roy's last unit. Since its conception, the competition has undergone several minor changes, although the concept remains the same. The Roy Smith Memorial Trophy is keenly contested amongst Units and has proved to be a highly sought after and prized trophy. This is a fitting tribute to a popular and professional tradesperson.