CS82 20 January 1965 – 2025

“Meeting 60 Years Later“
By Murray Nash
1965 – Sixty Years Later: A Legacy of Friendship, Adventure, and the Royal New Zealand Navy In 1965, a group of young, wide-eyed lads took their first step onto a journey that would shape their lives in ways they could never have imagined. With a shared sense of adventure and camaraderie, they joined the Royal New Zealand Navy, ready to face the unknowns of military life and forge friendships that would last for decades. Sixty years later, on January 19, 2025, four of these men gathered for a Zoom call to commemorate the anniversary of their fateful decision to enlist. While the setting was far more modern than their initial shipboard quarters, the bond they shared was as strong as ever. Back in the mid-1960s, these men were not just naval recruits—they were part of something special. Among their most cherished memories is their time as part of a winning Hawea Cup rowing team. Their division first claimed the prestigious trophy, then went on to a triumphant challenge, capturing the win as part of the ship’s company aboard HMNZS PHILOMEL. It was a moment of achievement that would define their shared history. The call on January 19 was a celebration not only of their Navy days but of the enduring friendships that had survived the twists and turns of life. Despite living in different corners of the world, with time zones and daily lives creating distances between them, these four veterans of PHILOMEL have remained close. Frank and Murray, mindful of the time difference, raised their glasses in a toast from afar. For them, it was an opportunity to enjoy a drink and reflect on the shared memories of their younger years. Neill and Richard, both settled in Australia, opted for something a bit more fitting for their part of the world: coffee. The stories they could tell, the experiences they shared, would fill more than just an article. They have all gone on to have vastly different careers, each path influenced by the discipline and camaraderie they found in the Navy. But those early days on board, rowing together, and learning the ropes of naval life, have stayed with them. As one might imagine, their conversations during that Zoom meeting were filled with laughter, memories, and a deep sense of gratitude. Sixty years later, their bond remains unbroken—a testament to the power of shared experiences and the friendships that arise in the unlikeliest of places. There are so many stories, in fact, that one meeting over Zoom couldn’t possibly contain them all. From the early days of basic training to the camaraderie aboard PHILOMEL, there is more than enough material for a book—a chronicle of their journey from young men starting out in life to older men who can look back with pride at the paths they’ve walked. For now, they continue to meet when they can, cherishing the connections that have withstood the passage of time. And though the ship decks and training divisions of their youth are far behind them, their friendship remains anchored, strong, and enduring—no matter the distance.

January 20, 1965, COMMUNICATIONS INTAKE – CS82 – HMNZS TAMAKI
Absent:                Ken Ireland, Neville Lockley, & Eric Brunger.
Crossed the Bar: Kerry Brooker, Te One One (Butch) Kingi, George Naera, Keith Halmond & John Titmus        
Lost Contact:       Greg Knaggs, Keith Walsh, Daryl Keegan, Adrian Kaye, Unknown