Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, April 21, 2023
Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.
On Tuesday 25 April, people of all ages will once again gather in silence to honour fallen and returned servicemen and women, a tradition passed down the generations for more than 100 years.
Auckland honours the heroes
In Auckland, all through April, Auckland War Memorial Museum will be illuminated in red and white to commemorate New Zealand’s fallen during service. Between Monday April 17th and Wednesday 10th May, 172 white crosses will be planted before the Museum to honour our fallen New Zealand soldiers from all wars & conflicts from 1845-2012 in the field of remembrance.
The day will start with the dawn service and will be a day of remembrance, tours, music, and poetry for all visitors.
Those unable to attend in person can even go online and pay respect to the thousands of New Zealand servicepeople without known graves, by laying a virtual poppy on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
Hamilton gets ready
Hamilton’s 2023 Anzac Day commemorations at the Memorial Park Cenotaph will begin with the dawn service at 6am, followed by the civic service at 10am. Both events will go ahead regardless of weather conditions.
Both services will be see NZ Army Reservist officer Lieutenant Colonel Olly Te Ua as the Master of Ceremonies. After being the commanding officer of 3rd/6th Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, the reserve battalion based in New Zealand, he is now a Maangai Maori representative for Hamilton City Council.
Lieutenant Colonel Te Ua’s great-grandfather served at Gallipoli from June to August 1915. In 2018, Te Ua represented New Zealand and the NZ Defence Force as the contingent commander at the Anzac services at Chunuk Bair.
Mayor Paula Southgate, who will speak at the civic service, said that sharing the Anzac Day experience is vital to keep our history alive. “I love to see young people and young families attending Anzac services. Sadly, we now have only a few surviving World War II veterans, so our link to the past lives on through sharing stories.”
Mayor Southgate said while Anzac Day is about remembering the past, the current conflict in Ukraine is a reminder that war is a constant. “That is why it is so important that we pass the baton to our youth to continue to remember, to commemorate, and to uphold the adage: Never again.”
The guest speaker at this year’s civic service will be Cadet Warrant Officer Class One Shane Marwood, who was named New Zealand Cadet Forces Cadet of the Year for 2022.
Details for the day
The dawn parade will assemble at the corner of Victoria Street and Anzac Parade at 5.30am for a 5.45am march. There will be big screens in the park that will show both the dawn and civic services, meaning people can see and hear both services from further back in Memorial Park. The services will also be livestreamed so those who cannot attend in person can watch from home.
The dawn service begins at 6am, with the parade leaving the corner of Victoria Street and Anzac Parade at 5.45am, and finishing at around 6.40am.
The civic service begins at 10am and will be followed by performances by the Hamilton Brass Band and the Waikato Rivertones Chorus will perform at the Cenotaph. After each service, individuals are also welcome to lay their own wreath or flowers at the Cenotaph.
More than 5000 poppies will be installed on the corner of Memorial Drive and Anzac Parade, as part of the tradition, and the ‘Fields of Remembrance Trust’ will place 350 white crosses in Memorial Park to acknowledge the Hamiltonians lost in conflict. Both the crosses and the poppies will be installed on Monday 24 April and will remain on display till Wednesday 26 April.
Motorists reminded to take care
National Road Policing Centre Director Superintendent Steve Greally reminded public at large to drive carefully and responsibly to avoid a repeat of last year where 12 people died on the roads over Anzac weekend.
He said, “Many people will be looking forward to an extended weekend this Anzac. But before you start your journey, please remember to wear your seatbelt, don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, remove distractions, and slow down. This week also got off to a devastating start with seven people losing their lives in serious crashes. We don’t want anyone else to experience the loss of a loved one from a bad decision on the road.”
“While we continue to focus on the main behaviours which contribute to death and serious injury on our roads at all times, it is particularly crucial over a long weekend when we know there will be more drivers and riders on the road.”
The advice is simple and clear- Please slow down, take your time, and drive to the conditions. When you get in your car buckle up and put your phone away and while you are on the road, take regular breaks so you stay fresh and alert. If you are going to drink, don’t drive.
Police will be out on the road targeting drivers who put themselves and others at risk. Mr Greally said, “We want to ensure everyone can enjoy their Anzac holiday plans, and return home safely. There will be a lot of traffic on the road so be courteous and keep a safe following distance. Police would like to see an Anzac weekend without any serious crashes on our roads.”
If you see any unsafe driving behaviour on the roads, please report it to Police immediately on 111.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
