ANZAC service to remember

Te Awamutu area residents Peter McRae and Norris Hall had a proud tear in their eyes at Friday’s ANZAC Day Civic Commemoration Service.

By GRANT JOHNSTON

Te Awamutu area residents Peter McRae and Norris Hall had a proud tear in their eyes at Friday’s ANZAC Day Civic Commemoration Service.

Mr McRae, who served with the RNZAF in the Pacific Islands during World War II, was joined in the parade from the RSA to ANZAC Green by his son, Robin McRae, who served with the Army in Vietnam, and grand-daughter Kelly Clow, who is currently serving with the Navy as a lieutenant commander. All three wore medals. Mr McRae’s son and grand-daughter had come down from Auckland to march in the Te Awamutu parade and Kihikihi-based Mr McRae was rightfully proud that three generations of his family were marching.

Also wearing a proud smile was Te Awamutu Community Board representative Norris Hall. Mr Hall had pushed for several years for Waipa District Council to upgrade the Cenotaph on ANZAC Green. And this year Council came to the party, contracting Kingan Landscaping to carry out major refurbishment work on the Cenotaph and allied landscaping.

Mr Hall says when he saw cracks in the concrete at the base of the monument and weeds it touched a nerve and moved him to campaign for something to be done about it.

‘‘The people of Te Awamutu who fought for us and gave up their lives deserved a lot better,’’ Mr Hall says.

The steps leading up to the monument were being used by skateboarders and there was also minor vandalism. Mr Hall carried out research which indicated the steps were not part of the original Cenotaph - a major part of the upgrading was their removal and replacement with a new specialised stone base. The result was favourably commented upon by many at the service, including Te Awamutu Returned Services Association president David Haberfield who commended Council for the project, which included upgrading work at The Sunken Cross in War Memorial Park.

Mr Haberfield said the RSA appreciated the great support from the community at Friday’s Dawn Parade and the Civic Service, which both attracted the largest crowds seen for a number of years. Mr Haberfield described the turnouts as ‘inspiring’.

The reading of the names of service people from this area serving overseas included eight names - a reminder that military commitment and peacekeeping efforts are ongoing.

Both services benefitted once again this year from Te Awamutu College head student involvement.

It was a busy time also for Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston, who officiated at the two Te Awamutu services and at the Civic Service in Cambridge.