Old salts savour the sea air

As part of its 70th anniversary celebrations, the Royal New Zealand Navy gathered for fleet exercises in Cook Strait. Photo: Royal New Zealand Navy (taken from HMNZS Endeavour).

A Levin trio of old sailors – Ted Dore, Ray Newport and Austin Fraser – were among the hundreds of sailors and veterans who invaded Wellington for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s 70th anniversary in October.

Eleven navy vessels – the largest gathering yet in the city’s harbour – were in port for the week to celebrate the formation of the RNZ Navy by royal charter on October 1, 1941.
“It’s not often that all the ships get together, so that was a great occasion,” says Ray Newport.

The Navy clocked more than 23,000 visitors on board during the open days on five of the ships. The most popular were the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, with 7798 visitors, and the multi-role HMNZS Canterbury with 5418.

A huge crowd was also out for the ceremonial changing of the Queen’s colour at Parliament and the parade of nearly 500 sailors through the central city with drums beating, band playing, colours
flying, bayonets fixed and swords drawn. The parade was received and welcomed by Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown.

The colour ceremony was the second for Ray Newport. He was a young seaman when Queen Elizabeth II visited New Zealand in 1953 and presented new colours at the Devonport Naval
Base. The Wellington ceremony is only the fourth time the colour has changed since then.

Three old sailors from Levin were in Wellington for the celebrations. From left, Ted Dore, Ray Newport and Austin Fraser.

Lt Luke Taylor, commanding officer of inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Taupo, described the Wellington waterfront as “buzzing”.
“The public really enjoyed visiting the ships and meeting the sailors. It was great to show people what we do and the equipment we use. At the end of the day the ships belong to the public, so it was great to have them on board.”

“Everyone was smiling and having a great time. It was hard work for the sailors, but they had a great time too. It really boosts morale to know the public appreciate what we do.”

The visiting public also donated $11,071 to Rotary’s gold-coin donation. which will be shared among three charities – Kimi Ora School, the Wellington Free Ambulance (to buy defibrillators)
and the New Zealand emergency response kits appeal.

The celebrations also involved wreathlaying at the National War Memorial, a church service at St Paul’s Cathedral, and a review of the fleet by governor general Sir Jerry Mateparae before it
dispersed to operations and exercises in South- East Asia, the Solomon Islands and around the New
Zealand coast.