The Navy comes to town

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 36, 28 February 1984, Page 1

The Navy comes to town

The Charter Parade by the Royal New Zealand Navy Band from HMNZS Philomel and the ship's companyof HMNZS Irirangi as they marched through the streets of Ohakune last Wednesday was watched by several hundred spectators. Local residents. visitors and lots of school children enjoyed the fine. warm, sunny conditions to watch the parade, attend the ^^■memonial renewal of the ^^vharter and listen to the band. In his welcoming speech to the ship's company of H MNZS Irirangi, the Mayor of Ohakune, Mr Bill Taylor, said that it was one of life's little ironies that one of this country's most inland towns where rainfall and snow are plentiful but salt water is at a premium should have become so closely linked as a 'port' for the navy's most inland 'ship'. The considerable ties that have developed between Irirangi and Ohakune since the granting of the Chartef in 1977 were being reaffirmed

on this occasion as both a symbolic and real gesture, said Mayor Taylor. "The ship's company of Irirangi is represented each year at the Anzac Parade to honour those who have served their country. The town is also home to the Navy Ski Club and a select band of local citizens are themselves former navy people and it is worthy of note that they are a group that serve this town well," he said. The Charter was then read by Ohakune's Town Clerk, Mr Colin Turner. In his reply Lt Cmdr Ross Sanson, Commander of HMNZS Irirangi said that a strong bond of friendship had built up between the people of Ohakune and the ship's company of HMNZS since the establishment of a. naval prescence in the Waiouru area in 1943. When HMNZS Irirangi was commissioned in 1951 this friendship had developed further through many

sporting, cultural and social contacts and the bond was formally honoured in 1977 when Ohakune bestowed the freedom of the Borough contained inthe Charter. "The Charter recognises the Navy's part in the life of the community and we in turn share your interests in the development and progress of Ohakune. We want to keep this special relationship alive, not only on ANZAC Day, but throughout the year," he said. Among the special guests who attended the formal renewal of the Charter ceremony in front of the Borough Council Chambers were Captain S.F. Teagle, RNZN, Captain of Naval Training and Commanding Officer of HMNZS Tamaki, the Commander of the Army Training Group in Waiouru, Colonel Bruce Meldrum, the Mayor of Raetihi, Mr Garrick Workman and Ohakune Borough Councillors.