Celebrating the brave and the fallen

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Anzac Day at Hakaru RSA attracted another large crowd on April 25, who gathered to honour and remember the region’s servicemen and women who fought for freedom, as well as those who never returned from war, the numbers attending proving the day is still very much revered in the area. 

Under a darkened autumn sky, representatives from community services including police, Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade, St John, Women’s Institute, Mangawhai Cadets, Kaipara District Council and local school children, were joined by members of the armed forces in the fall-in parade, wreath laying ceremony, and The Last Post salute, with hundreds of residents watching on in respectful silence. 

The ceremony was slightly different from previous years with the service – which included the Australian and New Zealand national anthems, Roll of Honour, prayer and the ‘Ode of Remembrance’ – held outside around the cenotaph with refreshments prepared by the RSA on offer after the parade fall-out. 

Anzac Day 2018 marks 100 years since WWI ended, with Germany signing an armistice on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11am. 
- WORDS & PHOTOS / Julia Wade

  
 

 

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