In keeping with tradition, the Waiheke RSA has organised two Anzac Day services to commemorate New Zealanders killed in war and honour returned servicemen and women on Tuesday, 25 April.
The white crosses will be raised, poppies pinned to jackets and wreaths laid at the cenotaph to mark the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the ANZACs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.
The dawn parade takes place at 5.45am. Community groups and emergency services will walk alongside war veterans down Belgium Street to outside the Waiheke War Memorial Hall for the dawn service at 5.50am.
RSA patron Mike Lee will give a speech at the dawn service that will be followed by the traditional veterans’ breakfast.
The civic parade starts at 11am and the civic service follows about 10 minutes later. For the second service of the day, two pupils from Waiheke High School will speak in addition to the main speaker, Commander Wayne Burtton of the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Tim Moroney will MC the day, island all male choir V12 will entertain with a capella songs and Bishop George Connor will do the blessings.
Assemblies for the parades take place 15 minutes prior, and the assembly point is 10 Belgium Street; the pedestrian crossing outside the Ostend Shops. Please be advised, that that part of Belgium Street up to Whakarite Road will consequently be closed.
For more information on the RSA’s Anzac Day, please visit www.waihekersa.co.nz, Waiheke RSA on Facebook or call (09) 372 9019. • Emma Haas
