Organisers have extended an open invitation to everyone who has served in any military unit in Otago or Southland to celebrations for the 150th anniversary of service in the region.
The chairman of the organising committee for the sesquicentennial celebrations, Major Lance Nicholas, said the committee wanted to be sure it was clear the invitation to join festivities, which include, for the first time in more than 20 years, a full military ball, was open to all soldiers and former soldiers.
"The 4th Otago and Southland Battalion is merely the organiser of the events, the activities are open to everyone from every unit."
Those units included those units that were amalgamated in to the Battalion Group in the late 1990s, he said.
Events organised for the celebrations from February 26 to 28 include an open day at the Kensington Army Hall, a charter parade along George St, military ball, church service, mayoral reception and a breakfast at the army hall.
A painting commemorating the occasion, along with one commemorating the Otago Mounted Rifles, will be unveiled at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery on February 19.
Any person who wanted to join the celebrations could get more information from Corporal Fiona Stewart at the Kensington Army Hall, Maj Nicholas said.