The Garrison Society Incorporated is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the preservation and display of New Zealand's military and home front history.
Through the use of restored equipment, vehicles and sites, our aim is to keep alive the stories of the ordinary citizens who became extraordinary by serving their nation in its time of greatest need.
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Two members of The Garrison fire the Godley Head Heritage Trust's 3.7" anti-aircraft gun during an Armistice Day commemoration in Canterbury. |
The society caters for both uniformed (history impressionist) and non-uniformed members, and it encourages family participation.
We welcome any persons with a dedicated interest in any part of military history no matter how small. In addition to the main armed forces (Air Force, Navy, and Army), many of our members specialise in the collection, preservation and display of home front and militaria items encompassing the following areas: Home Front and civilian clothing, Civil Defence, Air Raid Wardens, and other uniformed services from the WW2-era such as the Merchant Marine.
The Garrison's membership (which is open to anyone in New Zealand or overseas) also includes military vehicle and weapons collectors, military modellers, communications equipment collectors, and general military history enthusiasts.
Group trips and social gatherings are a significant part of the Society's activities, along with its role in providing educational history displays at public events, airshows and other commemorations. In addition to activities at various events, society members are also involved in helping to preserve and restore a number of Second World War-era buildings in both Marlborough and Canterbury.
Station Omaka, Blenheim, Marlborough (Garrison HQ)
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Preservation and restoration work at Station Omaka has been on-going for several years. |
The Society is currently gazetted as the Custodians and operational management team for the former RNZAF Station Omaka buildings, adjacent to Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim, which are owned by the Department Of Conservation (DOC). In addition to being used by the RNZAF during the war, these buildings were used from 1976 to 2007 as the headquarters for the local Air Training Corps cadet unit, and as such they have a significant heritage value for many Marlburians.
The Garrison Society is working towards restoring these WW2-era buildings, and are planning to develop the site as a living history example of a Second World War Station. In addition to preserving the remaining wooden buildings on the site before they irretrievably deteriorate, the Society's goal is that the site will eventually be open to the public and used for educational and research purposes as well as containing museum displays and restoration facilities.
The Society also have a working relationship with the RNZAF and are currently the custodians of ten, two-man alpine huts which were formerly located at the RNZAF's Dip Flat training area in the Rainbow Valley. These huts are also being restored by Society members as display areas, with period fittings and equipment, as per the custodianship agreement with the RNZAF.
Godley Head, Christchurch, Canterbury
More recently the Society's members in the Canterbury Region (The Garrison, Canterbury Barracks) have joined forces with the Godley Head Heritage Trust (GHHT) team to re-energise that Trust, and to supply some much needed man power to help both GHHT and DOC clean up and further preserve the history at Godley Head.
Sitting atop a sheer 120 metre-high cliff on the outskirts of Christchurch, this World War II-era coastal defence gun battery was built in 1939, and it's currently ranked in the top ten New Zealand coastal defence heritage sites.
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Original World War Two buildings at Godley Head, Christchurch. |
Can You Contribute To The Garrison's Preservation Work?
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Garrison Society member Paul Orsmby working on the front wall of the Station Omaka main building. |
Restoring wooden weatherboard buildings built during the Second World War (Station Omaka) and helping to maintain concrete shelters and bunkers (Godley Head) that are also over 75 years old, takes time and manpower. The Garrison Society welcomes any volunteers who wish to help in these restoration and preservation projects, even if you're not interested in becoming a member of the Society as such. This is particularly true for anyone possessing skills and experience in fields such as carpentry and engineering, that would enable us to increase the tempo of the projects we're involved in.
If you feel like you'd be interested in helping out and lending us a hand during our many on-site working bees, please feel free to get in touch with us, and we'll put you on our mailing list to be advised of when and where these events will happen.
Not everyone is able to become an active volunteer, so if you'd prefer to contribute in a financial way, you can do so by becoming a paid up member of the Society.
The subscription and/or donation form can be downloaded here. TO BE ADDED
Do members have to wear a uniform?
No. Some of our members are not into uniforms at all. Some prefer to wear civilian period clothing instead, while others are happy to simply be involved in their 21st century garb.
Is there a fee to join?
Being a member of The Garrison Society does involve a small annual fee. This fee assists us with overheads incurred in the running and restoration of the Station Omaka buildings, amongst other things.
Do I have to have previous military experience?
No. Whilst some of our members are ex-military, many are not. You merely have to have a genuine interest in the preservation of home front or military history, whether it is living history, archival or re-enactment, any interest is welcome.
Do you have a Headquarters?
Yes we do. Omaka Station (formerly R.N.Z.A.F Station Omaka) at Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim is The Garrison Society's National Headquarters. The site is located at 114 Aerodrome Road in Blenheim. MAP
How do I make donations, or donate items?
The best way is to contact us through our contact details and discuss things directly with our volunteer staff.
What is Home Front?
Home Front is the common term used for civilian life and activities during a conflict or war. So whilst military items are nice to collect, so is the old radio that you listened to the broadcasts on, the clothing you wore or the push bike you went to work on.
What historical era's do you cover.
Our group is not era specific. We are open to enthusiasts of any era.
How old do I have to be to join?
Ideally applicants would be over 16, but special cases can be made to younger applicants with full parental permission. Make a time to talk to our Senior Staff.
I don't live in Marlborough! Can I still be a member?
Yes! We currently have members as far south as Christchurch and as far north as Auckland.
What types of vehicles do your members own?
Our members have a number of vehicles, from WWI motorcycles, WWII Staff car, Jeeps, Landrovers, Chevrolet Trucks, Bedford and Morris Trucks and even a Universal Carrier (a.k.a. Bren Gun Carrier).
Members of The Garrison Society, and other South Isaland re-enactors, participate in the 11/11/2018 Armistice Day commemorations at Amberley in North Canterbury. |
Contact Details
- Email
- ghq@thegarrison.co.nz
- Web
- www.thegarrison.co.nz
- Postal Address
- The Garrison Society,
- c/- The Secretary,
- 43 Rowley Ave,
- Hoon Hay,
- Christchurch
