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People from across the district will set aside their usual routine on Thursday, April 25
to honour the Anzac Day tradition.
While the services commemorate the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who fought during World War I, the day also honours current and past service personnel who have served in conflicts around the world to defend the freedoms Kiwis enjoy today.
The Anzac services play a vital role in preserving collective memory and ensuring that the sacrifices of past generations are not forgotten.
They also provide an opportunity for younger generations to learn about the sacrifices their forebears made and to appreciate the profound impact of war on society.
In essence, Anzac Day services are essential in honouring the past, educating the present, and inspiring a better future.
Warkworth
The Warkworth & Districts RSA will hold a Dawn Service at 6am (fall in at 5.45am), starting at the band rotunda on Church Hill and finishing at the RSA in Neville Street. A full breakfast will be served from 7.30am onwards, $14pp. The Civic Service will start at 10.30am (assemble at 10.10am) where there will be an opportunity for members of the public to lay wreaths and poppies. The morning will conclude with morning tea at the RSA from 11.45am onwards. Gold coin donation appreciated.
Matakana
The Matakana War Memorial Anzac Day service will start with assembly at the Matakana roundabout at 9.45am, with the service at the memorial starting at 10am and finishing at 10.30am. The Master of Ceremonies will be Christopher Sotheran. This year’s ceremony will pay special tribute to wartime support workers including doctors, nurses, stretcher bearers and drivers.
Leigh
The Leigh Anzac Day service will begin with a parade fall-in on Harbour View Road at 10.45am. The parade will then make its way to the Leigh Cemetery where the service will start at 11am. At the conclusion of the ceremony, refreshments will be served at the Leigh Bowling Club. All welcome.
Wellsford
Wellsford will mark Anzac Day with a dawn parade. Anyone planning to march in the parade is asked to assemble outside the Wrightson Building by 5.45am. The short march to the memorial gates of the Wellsford Library, on Port Albert Road, will start at 6am.
Puhoi
A service will be held at the Memorial Gates at the Puhoi Pioneer Memorial Park, starting 9am. The community event will include a wreath laying ceremony and the guest speaker will be Richard Hern. Refreshments will be served in the hall following the ceremony. All welcome.
Hakaru
The service organised by the Hakaru and Districts Memorial RSA will start with an assembly at 10am, followed by the march at 10.30am. The programme will include wreath laying, a roll of honour call and speeches. Guest speaker will be Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion. All welcome.
Kawau Island
There will be a commemoration ceremony at the Kawau Boating Club, starting at midday. The Master of Ceremonies will be Pippa Tabron and several Kawau Island identities will participate. There will also be a flag raising ceremony, employing some improvisation after the flagpole blew down in last year’s January storms and cyclone. Attendees will be invited to enjoy hospitality at the club at the conclusion of service around 1pm. Everyone welcome.
Matakohe
Anzac Day will be commemorated as usual at the Matakohe Memorial Hall and adjacent Kauri Museum, which is hosting a special exhibition of local men who served in both World War I and II. The service will start at 10.30am with a fall-in at the hall, wreaths will be laid at the World War I monument and there will be an RSA Poppy Detail at the grave of Gordon Coates. A service will then be held in the Volunteers Hall at the museum, followed by refreshments. All welcome. The service is organised on behalf of the Paparoa RSA.
