New Commander on deck

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 301, 25 August 1989, Page 7

New Commander

on deck

BY

PHILIPPA

FRENCH

After a hand over parade from Brigadier Bestic on Monday Colonel Maguire officially took up his new position as Waiouru Army Training Group's new commander.

Colonel Maguire was posted to Waiouru from Singapore where he held the position of Commanding Officer of 1R.N.Z.I.R. He had held this position since December 1987. The last time Colonel Maguire was in Waiouru was from 1982 until 1984 as chief instructor at the Tactical School. "I enjoyed my time in Waiouru then and I now look forward to many challenges ahead", says Colonel Maguire. "Especially at this time with restructuring and economic difficulties, and although Waiouru hasn't been directly involved toQ much at this stage no doubt it will be in the future. "My main aim as commander is to ensure

we get the best value for money out of machinery and manpower available." Colonel Maguire is also very conscious of his responsibility to the Waiouru community in particular with the significant changes in the local political scene taking place. Colonel Maguire has been in the army for 25 years. He was educated in the Wairarapa and then went to England and graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst. From there he took up his first of four postings with the battalion in Singapore as a Platoon Commander. In later years he returned to Singapore as ComTurnpage8

New commander on deck

From page 7 are quite a sophisticated force and it is the New Zealand Army and the other two forces that have had a large impact on the initial training of these armies. There willbe a small element

staying in Singapore of approximately 25, including communications, administration and training staff, he said. When asked what changes we can expect to see, Colonel Maguire

said his philosophy at the moment is to listen carefully to advice being given to him from his staff and members of the community before making any changes. It is the first time in many years a commander of the camp has a child enrolled at

Waiouru Primary School. "Usually the children are either away from pany Commander, Operations Commander and finally as Commanding Officer. When the battalion first went to Singapore says Colonel Maguire, there were no significant

forces in Malaysia or Singapore. Now they home or at secondary school," he said. His son Nicholas is eight years old and is in Standard 2. Michael is the Maguire's oldest child and at 18 years of age is in Waiouru at present on school holidays from St

Kentigern's. Antiques and paintings are interests that both Colonel Maguire and his wife Paula enjoy. He is a keen sports spectator and he also enjoys swimming and running. He said being so close to Ruapehu he intends to learn to ski.

His wife Paula is an enthusiastic bridge player. "We knew we were home last week when we moved into our new house in the snow," says Colonel Maguire. That's after leaving Singapore's 32 degrees Celsius.