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Hundreds attended local Anzac commemoration services including veterans, older residents and many young people.
Both the dawn service and 11am Civic Service at the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA in Vipond Road drew several hundred, and around 200 also attended the service at Remembrance Reserve by the beach in Ōrewa.
At Puhoi Reserve, which initially did not plan to hold a service due to the effects of recent flooding, around 75-100 people gathered. And more than 150 took part at the Upper Waiwera cenotaph.
The RSA services included a march past of veterans and current servicemen and women, the No 5 (Rodney District) Squadron – Air Training Corps as well as Fire and Emergency, Hato Hone St John, and Police. There was loud applause from the public as they passed.
The traditional order of service, including prayers, the lowering of the NZ flag to the Last Post, the reading of the Ode in English and Te Reo and the laying of wreaths was followed.
Many community groups, including Guides and local schools, were present.
At Remembrance Reserve, Ōrewa Sea Scouts and children from local Primary schools and Colleges were a big part of the service, reading passages from the Bible as well as the Ode and leading the singing of the National Anthem.
Commander Frank Rands’ speech emphasised that Anzac Day is not just about those who died at Gallipoli, but all current and former men and women of our Defence Forces.
“We remember on this day all those who fell in both World Wars, in conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam, Afghanistan and more recently in Ukraine,” he said. “We also remember those involved in current conflicts throughout the world and hope that common sense will soon prevail and peace will again abound in those theatres of war.”
Creative recycling as Anzac poppies pop up
The familiar poppies sold by the RSA have been joined in recent years by some very creative versions, including knitted poppies and large ones made out of recycled materials.
This year, these in particular drew our attention: 1. This display was placed on the grounds of Whangaparāoa College, by the main road, where it could be seen by the public. The poppies were made by Carolyn Howden for the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA and were created from trays that she bought from the local hospice shop and test pot paint. Photo, Andrew Peddie. 2. Paper plates turned into poppies by women from the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA were a big feature of the display at Coast Plaza in Whangaparāoa. 3. Wentworth College used native foliage in the wreath laid at the RSA cenotaph. 4. Hibiscus Matters’ graphic designer Lorry McCarthy makes these large poppies from old vinyl LPs. This year she also made some purple ones which are in recognition of animals that served in war.
