Vampire’s 50th birthday… and everyone is invited for cake!!

by Bill Richards on 4 Jun 2009
It’s the Vampire’s 50th birthday… and everyone is invited for cake!!!

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.

Armed with big 4.5-inch guns, anti-aircraft guns and, for a time, torpedoes and anti-submarine mortars, Vampire served in the Navy for more than 27 years before it entered its new career at the new National Maritime Museum on Sydney’s Darling Harbour in 1991.

More than three million visitors from across Australia and around the world have boarded and inspected the famous old fighting ship since then. To celebrate Vampire’s 50th, the National Maritime Museum has arranged.

50th Anniversary 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.

Cost $60 (incl light lunch, evening reception). Bookings and inquiries, (02) 9298 3644 or visit www.anmm.gov.au/specialevents .

Special Family Day for HMAS Vampire’s 50th birthday - Sunday, 21 June, 10 am to 4 pm.

Here’s a special Family Day with something for everyone… including a big HMAS Vampire 50th birthday cake specially decorated with the ship’s badge.

The cake will be cut at 1 pm – and there will be plenty to go around. Don’t miss out on your share!

There will be discounted (50% off) entry to HMAS Vampire, the Royal Australian Navy Band will give two recitals (12.30 pm, 1.15 pm), Naval Cadets will give a signal flag display on Vampire (1.10 pm), RAN flight emulators will be installed so everyone can try their hand at flying navy aircraft and there will be special activities for younger children.

The National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, is open 9.30 am to 5 pm. Admission to the museum’s exhibitions is free. Admission to HMAS Vampire (plus the Oberon class submarine HMAS Onslow), normally $18 for adults and $9 for children, will be half-price on Vampire’s birthday weekend, with last boardings at 4.10 pm.

Inquiries: (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au/specialevents