Community Leaders' Column

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 2, 4 June 1985, Page 14

Community Leaders' Column

by Col.

Bruce

Meldrum

A major army base is not the place one would expect to find a naval unit, but our local ship, HMNZS Irirangi, has been in this area almost as long as the army itself. It was first established as The Naval Telegraphy Station Waiouru in September of 1942 — only five years after the army established its artillery range. In earlier days the administrative and living accommodation were all sited approximately 10km south of Waiouru, where it was colocated with the radio receivers. The Telegraphy Station was subsequently commissioned as HMNZS Irirangi in October 1951, with the only major outward change since that time having been the move of accommodation into Waiouru Camp in July 1973.

The unit — or rather the ship — continues to provide coastal and area transmission and reception facilities for allied warships in the South Pacific area, as well as maintaining fixed radio communications to a number of countries. In addition the station has the capacity to undertake emergency communications in the event of any natural disaster. People in Ohakune will be familiar with the ship, which has the Freedom of that Borough, and annually exercises its charter with the assistance of the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Although the ship s company tot.als no more than 75 officers and men, they play a significant role in the life of Waiouru and the surrounding area. And if you think that being domiciled in the middle of an army base means that sailors ignore their own traditions and customs, then I can set you straight on that point. This was made clear to me many years ago. As a very junior officer I had been invited with my wife to visit the officers of HMNZS Irirangi when their accommodation was still south of Waiouru. We pulled up at the ship's barrier and were given a

smart salute from a sailor on duty of whom I enquired, "Which way to the Officers' Mess please?" Our sailor drew himself up and with a slightly superior expression on his face explained that " the Wardroom is over there." "Oh yes," I replied, "the Wardroom of course! And where should I park the car?" With a look that was very strictly reserved for junior officers of another service, our sailor friend drew himself up even further and in a rather resigned fashion said: "Sir, you tie up your barge over there." Once a sailor, always a sailor!