The view from Te Ahumairangi Hill – site of former coast station Wellington Radio ZLW. Photo: Lisa.Ng on Flickr
At 11am on Sunday 29 September 2013, former staff of Wellington Radio ZLW marked the 20th anniversary of the station’s closure with an event on the site of the former coast radio station.
Peter Baird with the Coast Watchers Honour Roll
The ceremony included the unveiling of a commemorative bench in honour of the New Zealand civilian coastwatchers who were captured and beheaded by Japanese soldiers in 1942 in the Gilbert (Kiribati) and Ellice (Tuvalu) Islands.
The commemorative bench project grew from an idea raised by Barry Allison (Manager ZLW 1989-1991).
The Wellington City Council, under Mayor Celia Wade Brown, agreed to provide the bench, as it needed to be a specific design. Money for the bronze plaques and inscriptions was raised through donations from ex ZLW operators and their families along with other ex NZPO workers such as Radio Inspectors and radio technicians.
Peter Baird (longest serving ZLW Radio Operator) and Lyn Turner (born at ZLW in 1958) unveiling the commemorative bench. The flags are the New Zealand flag and the Red Ensign (Merchant Navy), provided by Graham Turner (Manager ZLW 1991-1993).
The unveiling of the bench took place in front of ex ZLW staff, the Mayor and invited guests including Peter Ross, a cousin of one of the murdered coastwatchers.
Programme:
- Master of Ceremonies: Geoff Kenny ZLW, ZLC 1977- 82
- Welcome & opening remarks: Barry Allison ZLB, ZLW 1965-1991
- Unveiling: Peter Baird ZLW 1963-1993 & Lyn Turner, a baby at ZLW
- Speakers
- Toasts:
The Coast Station watchkeepers 1912-1993
The Coast Communities (Especially ZLW)- Absent Friends: “Oscar” Wilde, ZMDW Dick White, Gordon Minshall, Geoff Hanson, Dick Jarlov, Craig Wratten, Brenda Glasier, Marilyn Lemberg, Barry McCartain, Morrie Searle, Dex Barratt, Ellie Ellenden, Jack Ryan, Owen Bradley
- Custodians: Mr Coolie (of Coolie Gang fame), Dick Gilsenan, Tony White
- Closing remarks: Geoff Kenny
L-R: Barry Allison (former ZLW Manager) and Peter Ross (cousin of a murdered New Zealand coastwatcher)
Plaque commemorating the closure of Wellington Radio ZLW, unveiled 29 September 2013 on Te Ahumairangi (Tinakori Hill)
Plaque commemorating the murder of nine New Zealand radio operators by Japanese soldiers during WW2, unveiled 29 September 2013 on Te Ahumairangi (Tinakori Hill)
Attendees at the unveiling
Seated: Lyn Turner, Robert ‘Titch’ Gibson (ZLW), Linda Fowler (ZLW), Barry Allison (ZLW).
Standing L-R: Peter Whiting (partially obscured, ZLW), unknown man with back to camera, Graham Turner (ZLW), unknown, Chuck McLeod (ZLW), Barbara Allison (partially obscured), Geoff Kenny (ZLW), Peter Baird (ZLW), unknown (obscured), Allan Burgess (ZLW), Peter Ross, Julie Foote (ZLW), Brendan Comerford (partially obscured, ZLW).
On the same day, members of the Musick Point Radio Group hosted a reunion for former staff of Auckland Radio ZLD at Musick Point, as well as a day of on-air activities on the amateur radio bands.
Both stations closed on 30 September 1993, when all marine radio services were moved to Taupo Maritime Radio ZLM.
SEE ALSO: The final day at Wellington Radio ZLW
A great occasion to remember this iconic station and its worthy operational staff.Sadly though as a former technician at ZLW there is no recognition of the technicians who put the station there and kept it going all those years.Without them there would have been no ZLW.