HMCSVenture-StillAlive

The ravages of unification may have done a lot to diminish the distinctive “naval esprit “, but the power of that culture, so effectively inculcated at Canada’s last Naval College, HMCS VENTURE - RCN Junior Officer Training Establishment, was clearly evident in Halifax for 5 days in September.

Those who deal with the question of attracting and retaining young men to go to sea as officers in the naval service of Canada, will be delighted if the current schemes of training foster the same degree of loyalty – the kind of loyalty that compels men years later to travel from across the country and nations abroad to join together to celebrate the commonly shared experience of their formative years

Established in 1954 to meet the demand of a growing navy, VENTURE was quickly set up by then Captain R.P. Welland and his team of dedicated Officers and NCO’s. They were men whose expertise and professionalism had been hard earned in the war years. Drawing from experience gained at the former college at HMCS Royal Roads, they had a clear sense of how to develop motivated young men. The results of their efforts had an enormous effect. From just fourteen years of existence, VENTURE graduates provided not only the majority of ships’ officers and naval pilots for the next 25 years, but also a civilian cohort who distinguished themselves in medicine, law, business, civil aviation and academe.

The bonding formed by the unique VENTURE experience has not diminished over the years. With the formation of the VENTURE Association in 1979, members keep in touch through a quarterly news letter "The Signal" and have gathered together formally every 5 years since and less formally on a continual basis.

This year the reunion was both a celebration of Canada’s Naval Centennial and the 55^th year since the entry of the first class. A particular highlight was the attendance of the man who carried the responsibility of that creation 55 years past. Rear Admiral R. P. (Bob) Welland, DSC*, now in his 92nd year is as sharp and insightful as ever.

During this period (September 23 - 27, 2009) over 300 “Ventures” and their spouses gathered in Halifax for the regular reunion. A very interesting program of events was scheduled to keep the Reunion participants amused and entertained for the five days. Included in the program were a reception at the Stadacona Wardroom, to which “Navy Friends” of Venture were invited to share in the camaraderie. Because a large turnout was expected, a second gathering was scheduled, limited to Association members and partners, this event took place at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in the Small Craft Gallery. During this event, CPO Ret’d Graham McBride presented the Association with the brass “grab rail” from from the RCN sail training schooner “Venture”, which had been salvaged when the ship was scrapped after her many years service with the navy and as a commercial vessel with Shaw Shipping.

As with any “Naval” reunion or gathering, the opportunity to “go to sea” in a modern warship is always a popular event. Rear Admiral Paul Maddison, OMM, GSM, CD, Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic made HMCS MONTREAL available for our day at sea. Cdr. Chris Sutherland and his ship’s company received us warmly and put on an impressive show with several demonstrations - weapons firing, small boat drills, etc. “MONTREAL” is the seventh City Class Frigate in service in the Fleet. During the day at sea, the ashes of Alec (Nick) Nichols, Class ’56, were committed to the deep.

Friday saw 44 golfers take on the Lost Creek, otherwise know as “the Lost Ball” Golf Course for a very good round. The weather was cooperative initially with only some spitty conditions. However, with only two holes to be completed the heavens opened and the rain poured down. Most golfers finished their last two holes in the rain. Prizes were awarded for significant achievements on the course.

The main attraction of the Reunion was the Dinner Dance held at Pier 21 on Saturday. The event commenced at 1800 with a reception, yet another opportunity for people to meet and talk to those that had been missed at the other occasions. An excellent dinner was served by the very efficient RCR staff. On completion of the meal, there was dancing to the music supplied by the Band of Land Forces Atlantic. The music covered all the years from the days of Venture’s beginning to the current scene. To any observer, it had to be good because the dance floor was never empty.

In keeping with past custom, Sunday, the final day of the reunion started with a Remembrance Service at the Base Chapel, 12 Wing Shearwater. The service conducted by The Rev. John Hounsell-Drover, Chap (P), 12 Wing and The Rev. Dr. Harvey Waddell, Class ’58 was combined with the regular Sunday Service , including the children’s lesson. There was full congregational response to the Naval Prayer and the Naval Hymn - Eternal Father Strong to Save. In memory of the Ventures who have crossed the bar or flown to the delta, a Memorial candle was lit. RAdm. Bob Welland, the first CO of HMCS VENTURE lit the candle in memory of the Staff, he was followed in turn by a Rep from each Class Year. Prior to the lighting of each candle, Rev Hounsell-Drover and Rev. Dr. Waddell read the names for that group who had passed since the last Reunion in 2004.

On completion of the Remembrance Service, the congregation moved across to the Shearwater Aviation Museum for a Farewell Reception. The Museum Staff went out of their way to make the museum as hospitable as possible for the event. Although some of the displays had to be moved to clear an open space, nothing was lost in the presentation of Canadian Naval Aviation History. The museum is a wonderful location for all the Naval Air mementoes. Among the new displays is the “Venture Wall” a display of plaques from each Venture Year with the name of those who had served in HMCS SHEARWATER. The list of names on each plaque was not limited to aviators, but included all, regardless of branch. This was quite a display.

And so REUNION 2009 came to an end, with their departure, each left with the aim of gathering again in Ottawa for REUNION 2014.

	HMCS VENTURE – Still Alive! REUNION 2009 (by Robert "Lanc" Lancashire - Class of 1956)
	The ravages of unification may have done a lot to diminish the distinctive “naval esprit “, but the power of that culture, so effectively inculcated at Canada’s last Naval College, HMCS VENTURE - RCN Junior Officer Training Establishment, was clearly evident in Halifax for 5 days in September. Those who deal with the question of attracting and retaining young men to go to sea as officers in the naval service of Canada, will be delighted if the current schemes of training foster the same degree of loyalty – the kind of loyalty that compels men years later to travel from across the country and nations abroad to join together to celebrate the commonly shared experience of their formative years Established in 1954 to meet the demand of a growing navy, VENTURE was quickly set up by then Captain R.P. Welland and his team of dedicated Officers and NCO’s. They were men whose expertise and professionalism had been hard earned in the war years. Drawing from experience gained at the former college at HMCS Royal Roads, they had a clear sense of how to develop motivated young men. The results of their efforts had an enormous effect. From just fourteen years of existence, VENTURE graduates provided not only the majority of ships’ officers and naval pilots for the next 25 years, but also a civilian cohort who distinguished themselves in medicine, law, business, civil aviation and academe. The bonding formed by the unique VENTURE experience has not diminished over the years. With the formation of the VENTURE Association in 1979, members keep in touch through a quarterly news letter "The Signal" and have gathered together formally every 5 years since and less formally on a continual basis. This year the reunion was both a celebration of Canada’s Naval Centennial and the 55^th year since the entry of the first class. A particular highlight was the attendance of the man who carried the responsibility of that creation 55 years past. Rear Admiral R. P. (Bob) Welland, DSC, now in his 92nd year is as sharp and insightful as ever. During this period (September 23 - 27, 2009) over 300 “Ventures” and their spouses gathered in Halifax for the regular reunion. A very interesting program of events was scheduled to keep the Reunion participants amused and entertained for the five days. Included in the program were a reception at the Stadacona Wardroom, to which “Navy Friends” of Venture were invited to share in the camaraderie. Because a large turnout was expected, a second gathering was scheduled, limited to Association members and partners, this event took place at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in the Small Craft Gallery. During this event, CPO Ret’d Graham McBride presented the Association with the brass “grab rail” from from the RCN sail training schooner “Venture”, which had been salvaged when the ship was scrapped after her many years service with the navy and as a commercial vessel with Shaw Shipping. As with any “Naval” reunion or gathering, the opportunity to “go to sea” in a modern warship is always a popular event. Rear Admiral Paul Maddison, OMM, GSM, CD, Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic made HMCS MONTREAL available for our day at sea.* Cdr. Chris Sutherland and his ship’s company received us warmly and put on an impressive show with several demonstrations - weapons firing, small boat drills, etc. “MONTREAL” is the seventh City Class Frigate in service in the Fleet. During the day at sea, the ashes of Alec (Nick) Nichols, Class ’56, were committed to the deep. Friday saw 44 golfers take on the Lost Creek, otherwise know as “the Lost Ball” Golf Course for a very good round. The weather was cooperative initially with only some spitty conditions. However, with only two holes to be completed the heavens opened and the rain poured down. Most golfers finished their last two holes in the rain. Prizes were awarded for significant achievements on the course. The main attraction of the Reunion was the Dinner Dance held at Pier 21 on Saturday. The event commenced at 1800 with a reception, yet another opportunity for people to meet and talk to those that had been missed at the other occasions. An excellent dinner was served by the very efficient RCR staff. On completion of the meal, there was dancing to the music supplied by the Band of Land Forces Atlantic. The music covered all the years from the days of Venture’s beginning to the current scene. To any observer, it had to be good because the dance floor was never empty. In keeping with past custom, Sunday, the final day of the reunion started with a Remembrance Service at the Base Chapel, 12 Wing Shearwater. The service conducted by The Rev. John Hounsell-Drover, Chap (P), 12 Wing and The Rev. Dr. Harvey Waddell, Class ’58 was combined with the regular Sunday Service , including the children’s lesson. There was full congregational response to the Naval Prayer and the Naval Hymn - Eternal Father Strong to Save. In memory of the Ventures who have crossed the bar or flown to the delta, a Memorial candle was lit. RAdm. Bob Welland, the first CO of HMCS VENTURE lit the candle in memory of the Staff, he was followed in turn by a Rep from each Class Year. Prior to the lighting of each candle, Rev Hounsell-Drover and Rev. Dr. Waddell read the names for that group who had passed since the last Reunion in 2004. On completion of the Remembrance Service, the congregation moved across to the Shearwater Aviation Museum for a Farewell Reception. The Museum Staff went out of their way to make the museum as hospitable as possible for the event. Although some of the displays had to be moved to clear an open space, nothing was lost in the presentation of Canadian Naval Aviation History. The museum is a wonderful location for all the Naval Air mementoes. Among the new displays is the “Venture Wall” a display of plaques from each Venture Year with the name of those who had served in HMCS SHEARWATER. The list of names on each plaque was not limited to aviators, but included all, regardless of branch. This was quite a display. And so REUNION 2009 came to an end, with their departure, each left with the aim of gathering again in Ottawa for REUNION 2014.
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