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14 May 2009
One of Sydney Harbour's best known vessels, the destroyer HMAS Vampire, is approaching its big Five-O and everyone is invited to the birthday celebrations!
This popular attraction at the Australian National Maritime Museum was built at Sydney's famous Cockatoo Dock in the years 1952-56 and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on 23 June 1959.
A sleek 120-metre long fighting ship armed with big 4.5-inch guns, anti-aircraft guns and, for a time, torpedoes and anti-submarine mortars, it served the Navy for a little more than 27 years before it entered its new career with the opening of the new National Maritime Museum on Sydney's Darling Harbour in late 1991.
Since then the ship known affectionately as "Vamps" and "The Bat" by those who served on her and the museum staff who manage and maintain her has been boarded and inspected by more than 3 million visitors from across Australia and around the world.
To celebrate Vampire's 50th, the National Maritime Museum has arranged...
HMAS Vampire 50th Anniversary Naval Dinner
Friday, 19 June, 7.30 pm - 11.30 pm
The Deputy Chief of Navy, RADM Davyd Thomas AO CSC RAN, will propose the "Toast to the Ship" at this very special formal black-tie celebration that blends navy traditions, fine food, wine, port and live music by a contingent of the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Venue: the museum. Cost: $180. Bookings and inquiries: (02) 9298 3644 or visit www.anmm.gov.au/specialevents .
Symposium - HMAS Vampire: the story of a ship and the people who served on her
Saturday, 20 June, 10.30 am - 5 pm
Hear from and meet people with close links to this famous ship. Speakers include Former Cockatoo Island CEO and historian John Jeremy, Vampire Association Patron and former Chief of Navy VADM Leach AC CBE LVO RAN (Rtd) and no fewer than six former Vampire Commanding Officers representing different eras in the ship's history.
The day will conclude with an RAN Band peformance of what are probably the oldest and most significant of all naval ceremonies - the Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters
Venue: the museum. Cost $60 (incl light lunch, evening reception). Bookings and inquiries, (02) 9298 3644.
HMAS Vampire Family Day
Sunday, 21 June, 10 am to 4 pm
Bring the kids to this special Family Day with activities for everyone including discounted entry to HMAS Vampire, live music with the Royal Australian Navy Band, special children's activities and more. And there will be a huge HMAS Vampire birthday cake, specially decorated with the ship's badge in icing, at around lunch time. Come along for your share!
Venue: museum forecourt and on the ship. Inquiries: (02) 9298 3777.
The Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, is open daily, 9.30 am to 5 pm. Admission to the museum's exhibitions is free. There is a modest charge to board and inspect the destroyer HMAS Vampire, submarine HMAS Onslow, HM Bark Endeavour replica and 19th century tall ship James Craig. All inquiries, (02) 9298 3777.
Media information, images, interviews: Bill Richards 0418 403 472
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