

1950: Recommencement of copying epidemiological bulletins from Geneva.
1951: Campbell Island and Kermadec Island now manned by CAA and communication by r/t with Wellington.

1952: Macquarie Island VJM commences. Government approves development of station grounds and surrounding land as a farm, due to efforts of WA Wallace through the MP for Awarua, GR Herron.
1953: Three additional residences built for staff.

1954: Superintendent WA Wallace retired and replaced by J Houlihan.

I found the above photograph particularly interesting with the “new” Awarua Receiving Station in the back ground. Note the different coloured roofing iron on the right side of the building. This is an add-on to the station which wasn’t there when you compare photographs taken in 1940-1941 when the station was built.
– Alex Glennie

Photo: Whites Aviation. Click to enlarge.

1955: Lands End Radio logged on 2182 kc/s QSA 3/4. Farm manager’s house built. JU Bonisch replaces J Houlihan as Senior Supervisor.


1956: Scott Base (Antarctica) opened and communication established with Awarua.


1957: IGY (International Geophysical Year) team installed at Awarua. JU Bonisch promoted to Superintendent, Auckland Radio. PJ Columb promoted to Senior Supervisor Awarua Radio. Daily communication with Hallett Station (Antarctica) commenced.

1958: J Houlihan retired and was replaced by JU Bonisch. Farm management taken over by Lands & Survey Department. Radiotelephone service between Milford Sound and Awarua linked with toll system. AH Greaney retired.

1959: Epidemiological Bulletin Service ceased, as did communication with Hallett Station.