Membership of the HMAS Vampire Association
The aim of the Association is to assist the Australian National Maritime Museum in the preservation of our Ship, and the continuation of comradeship with former shipmates.
There are a number of advantages in being a member. The Association is a corporate member of the Museum entitling members and their immediate family, fee entry to the museum and the ship.
The Association meets regularly at 1100 on the first Sunday of the month, in the "Bat Cave",
(The Association's Mess onboard, (next to the Ops room - the old ACR)). A ships working party also
stands to on this day, "out pipes" is at 0800, and concludes with stand easy, and "Up Spirits" at 1100.
There is also an additional working party on the first Monday of the month 0800/1200 for persons not able to make the Sunday working party.
The AGM is held in June to coincide with the ships' anniversary of commissioning in June 1959.
An annual reunion is held (on a date to be decided), the format is normally a dinner dance (or Harbour Cruise) on the Saturday, followed on Sunday with a walkover the ship, and lunch across the road at "Monty's Pub.
Should you wish to join the Association and receive our regular newsletter (every three months approx.)
Forward to our Secretary - Ken Sherwell the required details below.
Les Church
President
.....................................................................................................................................................
To - The Secretary
I wish to join the HMAS Vampire Association, & attach my cheque/money order for $15.00
Surname.............................................................Given Names.......................................................
Address..............................................................Town..........................................Post Code..........
Tel:........................................FAX.................................e-mail........................................................
Years on Ship.......................................................Rank/Rate..........................................................
Additional Information......................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
All Correspondence to - The Secretary
HMAS Vampire Association
Ken Sherwell
73 Sladden Road
Engadine NSW 2233
Vampire Association Lapel Bages are for sale $12.00 which
includes postage, contact:
Ken Sherwell.
Twenty years after paying off Vampire was in Dry Dock at GI once again to have her bottom scraped and painted and, decks and screens scraped where necessary. The cost of 45 days in dock was approx $1.2m and will keep her at Darling harbour for the next ten years. There were 12 Vampire association members working on her at
Garden Island two days a week with the dockyard workers of course.
Things are quite different at the dockyard these days with overalls and safety gear having to be worn by ever one within the area of the drydock and you have leave your ID at the gangway when going onbard and pick it up when you leave.
Forty seven years after she was commissioned, she looks just as good as she did then.
RAN Discharge Certificate
Certificates given today are worthy of framing and a big improvement on the 'Certificate' that most of us received, a piece of paper with our enlistment details. As many of you have received medals since discharging, I recommend that you apply for an updated Certificate that lists your Awards.
the address of details is available at the NAVY WEBSITE
http:/www.navy.gov.au/contact/records.html
