1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment

50th Birthday Celebration

4 - 5 August 2007

The 1st of August 2007 marks the 50th Birthday of the 1st Battalion, RNZIR. In order to celebrate this occasion, 1 RNZIR will be conducting a range of events over the period 04 to 05 August 2007. Ex members of 1 RNZIR are cordially invited to attend the activities. Further event details and Unit details/history will be published in the coming months; however the following provides an overview of the events in August.

Saturday 04 August 2007:

• POWHIRI
  Previous unit members and guests will be welcomed onto the 1 RNZIR Parade Ground to commence the celebration activities. The Powhiri will be the only formal welcome conducted and will commence at 10am sharp.
  
  
• OPEN DAY
  From 10.30am until 2.00pm, Wellington Lines, the home of 1 RNZIR will be open for guests to view the unit facilities and current unit in service equipment. The newly refurbished 1 RNZIR History Room will also be open for viewing. During the open day a mock battle will be conducted to provide a practical display of unit capabilities. During the open day food stalls will be open for guests to purchase lunch and light refreshments. A facility will also be available to purchase unit memorabilia.

At the conclusion of the Open Day the Unit Lines and equipment will be secured and the Battalion will conduct parade preparation. This is an opportunity for guests to return to P/North to freshen up and prepare for the evening activities.

• CEREMONIAL BEAT THE RETREAT PARADE
  Commencing at approximately 4.45pm, 1 RNZIR supported by the NZ Army Band will conduct a Ceremonial Parade. During the parade previous members of 1 RNZIR will be offered the opportunity to participate in the ceremony to reinforce the bond between previous and current unit members.

• ALL RANKS AND GUESTS FUNCTION
  At the conclusion of the parade an indoors function will be held within the Battalion Lines. A buffet dinner will be provided and full bar facilities will be available. Live entertainment will be provided by the NZ Army Swing Band and by The Beat Girls who will perform music from each respective decade of the Battalion’s history. Formal activities will be minimal to enable previous and current unit members to socialise and reminisce.

Sunday 05 August 2007:

• Unit March through Palmerston North
• Memorial Service at the Palmerston North Cenotaph.
  Departing from the P/North RSA at approximately 10.30am, 1 RNZIR will march through P/North to the Cenotaph where a memorial service will be conducted. This will be the final Birthday Celebration activity.

Who is invited?
All previous Unit members and partners.

What are the costs?
There is no charge for attending the Powhiri, Open Day and Parade.
The cover charge/ticket cost for the all ranks function is $35.

How do I purchase tickets?
Registration Forms are available online, or by writing to:
1 RNZIR 50th
1 RNZIR
Linton Military Camp
Palmerston North

Note: Guests who wish to attend only the free of charge activities in Linton Camp are also requested to submit a registration form so the appropriate entry to Linton Camp and NZDF Security arrangements can be put in place. This information is also important so the unit can ensure sufficient facilities can be in place to meet anticipated demand.

On receipt of registration forms 1 RNZIR will forward a ticket pack in due course.

Shuttle Service
Throughout the day and night of Saturday 04 August a bus shuttle service for guests will run continuously from selected pick up points in P/North to Linton Camp and return. Entry onto the bus will be a gold coin donation to assist with costs.  Guests are requested to indicate on the registration form whether they would utilise this service or not so that sufficient buses can be made available.

Accommodation
No accommodation will be available within Linton Camp over the weekend of 04-05 Aug.

Details of accommodation providers within the Palmerston North area can be found online at the Destination Manawatu website.

Tickets will go on sale in April for the Saturday Function and Dinner, along with the opportunity to purchase unit history journals, other publications and memorabilia.

Due to unforeseen circumstances there has been a delay in the forwarding of the ticket packs.  1 RNZIR is now pleased to announce that the ticket packs will be distributed by mail over the period 27-30 June 2007.

Download Poster 1 RNZIR 50th Birthday (1 Page - 376KB).pdf
Download Information Flyer (1 Page - 17KB).pdf
Download Ticket Request Form (1 Page - 99KB).pdf
Download 1 RNZIR 1957 - 2007 Book Order Form (1 Page - 96KB).pdf

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