ABOVE: Breaking Down the Barriers Working Committee: Mr David Wright, Director Navy Museum, Centre Row: Margaret Mitchell and Aline Larkins, Front row: Daphne French and Jill Thompson LEFT: Those that attended the luncheon at the 70th Anniversary Reunion
190 EX-NAVAL WOMEN CELEBRATE! O
JILL THOMPSON, RNZNWA
ver the Queen's Birthday weekend June 1-3, 2012, the 70th Anniversary Reunion was held to acknowledge the 70 years since the Women's Royal NZ Naval Service was founded in 1942. The WRNZNS was disbanded in 1977, when women became an integral part of the Royal New Zealand Navy.
As part of this Reunion, the RNZNWA raised funds to have a static display designed and created to acknowledge the war service given. This was initially to allow the men to go to sea, and later, to fill the very necessary roles that women were employed to perform. The exhibition committee, consisting of four ex-Wrens, one from each decade, worked for many long months with the Navy Museum staff to tell their story. Hundreds of pictures were put onto a slide show, and uniforms and memorabilia were taken from the Museum's archives, right down to a pair of lisle stockings! One ex-Wren still had her kitbag with nearly all of her issued uniform, we were grateful to have that. Our thanks to Mr David Wright, Director and the Navy Museum staff for all they did to make this exhibition happen.
The weekend of events started with a Ceremonial Sunset
performed by sea cadets from TS Leander, with music by the RNZN Pipes and Drums Club. The reunion and exhibition were officially opened by Rear Admiral Jack Steer, VCDF, who presented several DSM's. Each wren attendee who registered for the reunion was asked to bring along a photo of them in uniform from their service time, and these were hung from the wall. The display grew in front of everyone, so they all felt part of the exhibition. The exhibition will run at the Navy Museum until August 31, 2012. It is well worth a visit.
The reunion continued on Saturday with a luncheon and a formal dinner. The Commanding Officer HMNZS Philomel, Captain Corina Bruce, was the guest speaker, and she had all attendees enthralled with her naval story. The Captain also presented several DSM's.
Our reunion was finished on the Sunday with a Church service at the Chapel of St Christopher followed by a light luncheon back at the Museum. A wonderful weekend of fun and laughter, amazing stories of life in Elizabeth and Margaret Houses, renewal of friendships and most of all the camaraderie that exists between us all.
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