Bronze comes for honouring Anzac

Brigadier Dr Brian McMahon and the Anzac of the Year bronze statuette. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Brigadier Dr Brian McMahon and the Anzac of the Year bronze statuette. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
The bronze statuette marking Brigadier Dr Brian McMahon's Anzac of the Year award was welcomed to Dunedin yesterday.

A ceremony at Montecillo Veterans Home and Hospital marked its arrival from Wellington.

The 82-year-old received the award in April, but the statuette and base, weighing 110kg, had posed a few logistical difficulties while being moved to the South, he said.

The construction of a special crate to transport the statuette had taken longer than anticipated.

Depicting the Gallipoli image of Richard Henderson with his donkey, the statuette had since April been on display at the National War Memorial and during the RSA's national conference.

Dr McMahon said the bronze would be his until March, when it would be returned to Wellington for its next recipient.

It would be based at his Dunedin home, but he was keen for it to be available for viewing, and was open to display suggestions.

He hoped to take the statue to Cromwell, and Southland, in the new year.

The retired physician served in the New Zealand Defence Force for more than 40 years, including active service as a medical officer in 1969 in the Vietnam conflict, his award citation said.

He made a significant contribution to aid work in Vietnam and the Pacific Islands, and had a distinguished medical career in Dunedin.

Established by the RSA in 2010, the Anzac of the Year award recognises New Zealanders who embody the Anzac spirit.

- eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

 

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