THE NAVY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER WOMEN LEAD FROM THE FRONT

For the Royal New Zealand Navy, the 2023 International Women’s Day on March 8 offered more reasons to celebrate than most.

It coincided not only with the highest percentage ever of women in the Navy (27.4 per cent) but the largest number of women taking command of Navy ships and shore units – four command ships and two command shore units.

As well as the women pictured (right) Commander Julie Simpkins is the Commanding Officer of Devonport Naval Base and Commander Kerry Tutty is the Commanding Officer of the Leadership Development Group.

Despite the fact that women were first approved by the War Cabinet to join the Navy in 1942, it took 44 years for a pilot programme to allow women to go to sea in non-combatant vessels. This programme was a success and in 1989 all women joining the Navy were required to serve at sea – and from 1993 they could serve on frigates.

Gray, HMNZS Manawanui; CDR Bronwyn Heslop, HMNZS Canterbury; and CDR Fiona Jameson, HMNZS Te Kaha.

Devonport Naval Base security reminder – for the safety of the community please take care and remain outside the 60-metre perimeter of the Naval Base at all times. This includes when swimming, diving, kayaking, fishing and sailing.

Congratulations? Thanks? Problems? Complaints?

Briefs Rose Centre Festival

The Rose Centre’s Aroha Festival has been rescheduled for Sunday 2 April after Cyclone Gabrielle caused its postponement for a third time. Originally planned for last November, the festival was pushed back due to Covid cases. The next planned date was abandoned because of scheduling conflicts for performers. This free event will feature circus acts, musicians, arts and food stalls, and other attractions.

B’ballers make NZ team

Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) students Bailey Flavell and Zenthia Stowers have made the New Zealand Basketball Under-16 team for a national camp to be held next month. The Year 12 students were in the national U15 side last year. They are key players in the TGS team that won its grade last year and will play a pre-season promotion-relegation game for a place in the city’s premier grade this year.

Cricketers double dip

Takapuna Grammar’s top boys and girls cricket teams both won their way through to this week’s Auckland-wide Premier T20 finals. The 1st XVs made regional cricket history, with this the first time teams from the same school have been in the final in the same year. While the TGS Girls 1st X1 has made the finals a number of times, this is the first time the boys have qualified since their competition began in 2017. Games were played after the Flagstaff went to print.