Life Members
Gaylene McRae
Check out what Gaylene has to say about our wonderful sport!
Our life members have helped shaped our association into what it is today.
Tell us a little about your marching journey
I started marching in the mid seventies as a junior, senior and then in my latter years in the masters. My whole marching life I marched for Rosedale Kilties and the same coach Mrs Christine Bell. We were luckily enough to be able to attend many NZ nationals but the Interdominion in Sydney in 1985 was a high light, 12 girls staying in Kings Cross, what could go wrong. I did try my hand as a kiwi coach Marching Southland Kiwis for a couplemof years with the support of Marching Southland. But judging has been my passion… Having come home from living in Australia in 1989, I took up judging, qualifying in 1990 and becoming Southlands chief judge in 1998 until 2022
How has marching changed over the years?
Changing the music from marching music to own choice for display. Also taking away the award for the leader, lots of discussion about that one.
Who was your most influential marching role model and why?
When I was marching, it wasn’t just one person but my team members who i went through the grades with and when we decided 20 years later to have a crack at the masters, they were all aboard, Brownyn Williams, Judith Milne, Airdie Stuart, Yvonne Spence. Lifelong friends. As a Judge it would be the help and support, I received from my fellow judges, Robyn Powell, Pauline Ward, Sue Stenning and Lorriane Simpson.
Advice for future marchers/coaches/judges
The advice I was given as a new judge was to go to as many contests as you can. It’s the only way to get the experience. Advise for coaches I wouldn’t dream of it as I take my hat off to the fantastic coaches we have. Advise for marching girls, don’t give up at the end of your marching time, give back to the sport, as coaches, judging, marshals.
Pauline Ward
Here’s what life member Pauline Ward has to say about marching!
Marching Journey
I began marching in Kamo, Whangarei when I was about 10, going through the grades to Senior. Coached a Midget (U12) team for a few years while marching and took this Midget team to the NZ Champs in Nelson in the 70s. Moved to Invercargill and took up marching for the Rosedale Kilties Snr team. I coached Waikiwi Cadets during this time and also took up Judging in the No 4 position(Tech C now). In about 1980 I concentrated on my judging, giving up marching and coaching. I left judging in 1983 to start a family. I returned to judging in 1998 and trained in Tech D as it was the only vacant position. Have been a Tech D Judge ever since. I have served on the Southland Assn for the last 20 odd years, mainly as Treasurer and have held most positions on the committee.
How has marching changed?
Quite a bit had changed when I returned to marching in 1998. Judging was a Deduction System and now it is Awarding. Display used to be a continuation from the technical march with the same music, now it is a phase with own choice music. There used to be a judge for Leader on the march and at the Holt, to name just a few.
My most influential marching model
I would have to say that my first senior coach had a great influence on me. I was only 16 when I marched senior and for some reason she made marching a passion for me. Her name was Rhonda Boycebacon and she marched and coached the Kamolette Rangers.
For my judging there are a few who I have looked up to over the years and have had great support and guidance from the Southland Judging Panel over the last 23 years.
Any advice for current /future judges?
Any judge taking up a position should make sure they are well versed with their judging position and any new releases.
I find graphing movements to be very helpful.
Robyn Powell
Our life members are some of the greatest influences we have as marchers’ judges and coaches.
Take a look at what Robyn has to say about marching over the years!
Tell us a little about your marching journey!
Began marching in 1960 in Waimate, South Canterbury, marching through the grades for Waimate Kilties and Victoria Guards. Coached Victoria Guards Midgets (now U12) for 3 years, taking them to NZ Midgets Championships in Nelson, before moving to Invercargill in 1974. Went back into marching Senior for Glendawn, beginning to judge Fall-in (now R & I). Took 9 years out from 1983 – 1992 because of young family needs. Returned to judging in 1992 changing to judge No 4 Field (now Tech C – footwork). Still there!! Served on Southland Assn Committee from 2000 to 2022 in numerous roles – mainly secretary/president.
How has marching changed over the years?
Teams had to qualify at their local Associations Champs (which were held in November) to be able to compete at South Island Champs (held in February). They then had to get within the top 7 at South Island to be eligible to compete at NZ Champs. Judging was by deduction for errors noted, now is points awarded based on how well drills are performed.
Who was your most influential marching role model and why?
As a Coach – Dawn Murphy – she always had time for everyone in the team, didn’t have ‘favourites’, and seemed to be able to bring out the best in ‘her girls’.
As a judge – Janine Brandhoj – the best No 4/TechC Judge NZ has ever had – I learned so much from her.
Advice for future marchers/coaches/judges
Whether you are a judge or a coach – when the new releases come out on 1 July, always re-read the drills section, don’t just head straight to the changes to the march plans/technical. It is easy to forget little (but important) things, and they also change from time to time too.
Lorraine Simpson
Introducing Life Member Lorraine Simpson
Here is what Lorraine had to say about her marching journey to her Fellow Life members Gaylene and Robyn
Tell us a little about your journey
My daughter began marching in the early 1970s for Fontayne in Gore. So, I began my marching life as a chaperon.
One day Sue Te Au asked if I would like to become a uniform judge, so I did, qualifying in 1976.
I judged at several Islands and Nationals championships in uniform. We were on elevated judges stands back then. In the early 1980s when they did away with judging the march past, leader and uniform, I changed to judging display, qualifying in the 1981-2 season. Again, I was lucky enough to be selected on several Islands and National panels. I continued judging well into the 2000s
In 1995 and 1997 I was very proud to be selected to judge at the International Challenge held in NZ and Australia.
I was granted life membership of the Eastern Southland association in the 1980s and Marching Southland when all the separate associations became one. I served many years on the Southland Association Committee, mainly in the role of publicity.
From 1987 to 1995 I served on the Board of Marching NZ, filling the position of publicity person
How has marching changed over the years?
I have seen many changes over the years, uniform back in the day held a lot more prestige than it does today. Teams and clubs took a lot more pride in the presentation when awards were up for the grabs Display has seen a lot of change, own music changed the kind of displays of today, with more interpretation of music, and a more relaxed style.
Who was your most influential marching role model and why
Mrs Trish Flannigan
She did her displays to the book and they were always beautiful
Advice for future judges
Judge to the Book
Mary Rapley
Introducing Mary Rapley
Long time life member, here’s what she had to say about her marching journey!
Tell us a little about your marching journey…..
I Started marching as a 10-year-old In 1962. I marched Midget, Junior and senior for a team called Cresta Guards and on shifting to Christchurch, marched for Skellerup Millitaires Seniors. After returning home I helped coach a Midget team for two seasons which got me back into Marching. I joined Marching Southland and was CAI, President and Competition Secretary for many years. I Particularly enjoyed going to MNZ annual Meetings and was there for many of the changes made over the years. Some worked some didn’t. My daughters marched Midget and Junior for Rosedale Kilties and I was the manager. I received a Service Award from Marching NZ 30 years ago and Life Membership of Marching Southland around 25 years ago.
I was very lucky to always have a strong committee behind me especially the late Jenny Smith who was a tireless worker for Marching Southland. I was President and Competition secretary and Allister was Ground Layer. A real family affair. There were other families like that then and I’m sure it is the same today.
How has marching changed over the years?
Marching has gone through a lot of changes over the years. From name changes to grade changes. The best change I feel was changing from a deduction system to an awarding system. For teams the biggest challenges are fundraising and retaining team members. NZ used to basically close at the weekends so everyone could participate in sports but now everyone has to work on weekends and can’t commit to many sports. Fundraising is so much harder too and travel and uniforms are very expensive. Years ago we did bottle drives and I can remember sponsored walks from Bluff to Invercargill and also only having to sell 1 book of raffle tickets. That wouldn’t get you far these days.
Who was your most influential role model and why?
I have had a lot of people who have had a big influence on me, especially the late Maxine Murdoch. She coached me as a 10-year-old and again when I started marching leisure grade 11 years ago as a 60-year-old. Along the way I have made many lifelong friends in our teams and many others. It was always great to catch up with them at leisure marching events, people I had known since I was in the Midgets.
Advice for future marchers/ coaches/ judges?
Marching Southland is going really well with their marchers, coaches and judges. We have a great panel of judges and an exceptional standard of teams. There may not be quantity but there is definitely quality. Great to meet up with so many people who I have known for many years, at Southland Champs. Especially Peter Little and Shona French. Shona and I marched in the Midgets at the same time, Shona in Dunedin and me in Invercargill. Lorraine and Peter are both long time stalwarts of Marching Southland.
Keep up the good work Marching Southland. I’m very proud to be one of your Life Members.
Funny Story.
A couple of years I ago I met up with the Chaperone from when I marched in the Midgets and she remembered going to Dunedin for Competitions every 2nd Sunday and that the bus would pick me up outside The Basilica (Catholic Church) at 7am on Sunday morning to go to Dunedin. We didn’t own a car so Dad and I would go to Mass at 6am in a taxi with his bike on the back and he would put me on the bus and then bike home.
I have always said;
“Once a Marcher, always a marcher. It gets into your blood”
