Anzac Day

An Australian Government plan to market a huge national commemoration of the 2015 centenary of the World War 1 Gallipoli landings has come up against national sensitivity about Anzac Day.

Although Fr Tony Harrison's six-month deployment to Timor-Leste as an army chaplain is drawing to a close, the Queenstown priest says the pace of activity remains the same.

Alexandra teenager Sarah Liley says it will be an honour to deliver the keynote address at this year's Alexandra and Clyde Anzac day services, the first time a politician has not been the guest speaker at the ceremonies.

Brigadier Dr Brian McMahon plans to travel with a weighty companion during the next year.

Gut instinct would have prodded John Key to cut short his Middle East trip immediately he was told of the Anzac Day helicopter crash.

Neighbours in the past often knew each other as a matter of course - across the back fence, in the street or through local organisations.

Lance Sergeant Edward Keith Loughrey was one of thousands of New Zealanders sent to the Pacific to fight the Japanese in World War 2.

Pam Jones' grandfathers went to war. She remembers them.

Queenstown RSA president David Geddes and his wife, Maryann, visited Gallipoli for Anzac Day commemorations last year. Mr Geddes spent 21 years in the RNZAF, including service in Vietnam, and while in Gallipoli visited a memorial panel at Lone Pine, where his maternal grandfather's name is listed.

With Anzac Day upon us, Ian Harris delves into the meaning of sacrifice, both ancient and modern.