Irirangi celebrates 50 years

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 405, 24 September 1991, Page 3

Irirangi celebrates 50 years

BY

JO

HOWE

The Royal New Zealand Navy is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this month and next. As part of the celebrations servicemen from HMNZS Irirangi have been visiting the RSA clubs in Ohakune, Taihape, Raetihi and Waiouru. The servicemen have presented these associations with a 50th An-

niversary plaque and a commemorative poster. During the visits, they challenged the local RSA's with indoor sports, including darts and pool. As part of the celebrations, Irirangi is providing transport and assistance to the Taihape Rotary Youth Camp. They will also be hosting the Royal Australian Navy rugby team

next week. The NZ Navy rugby team will play the Australian Navy later next month in Auckland. Some of the Navy's national celebrations include a presentation of a New Queen's Colour to the New Zealand Fleet in Wellington during the weekend. On 25 October there will be a Charter Parade in Ohakune where the Navy will be presented

with a new charter by the Ruapehu District Council. HMNZS Irirangi became a recognised establishment in 1951, but was operating during

the war as a transmitting station. It is now one of the most modern naval communication stations in the world. The ship's company currently totals 50 and during the

war there were 150 Navy personnel. The ship's company are watch keepers who provide communications round

the clock on a watchkeeping system. A number of administrators support the watch keepers.