Mighty thank you from veterans: RSA

For the first time, the World War 1 cenotaph in Oamaru was lit with new lights and an Anzac...
For the first time, the World War 1 cenotaph in Oamaru was lit with new lights and an Anzac wreath projected on to the Waitaki District Council headquarters at Saturday's dawn service. Those attending includedguest speaker and Waitaki Girls' High...
A crowd of at least 2000 people is estimated to have attended the dawn service. This photograph...
A crowd of at least 2000 people is estimated to have attended the dawn service. This photograph was taken from the Oamaru clock tower. PHOTO: VERNON HAYES
Courtney Batchelor of the No 26 (Oamaru) Squadron Air Training Corps forms part of  an honour...
Courtney Batchelor of the No 26 (Oamaru) Squadron Air Training Corps forms part of an honour guard at the Boer War memorial on Saturday. PHOTO: DAVID BRUCE
Alexie Phillips (6) had  one of the best views from the Garden of Remembrance World War 2...
Alexie Phillips (6) had one of the best views from the Garden of Remembrance World War 2 memorial. PHOTO: DAVID BRUCE
North Otago Women's Institute members (from left) Nancy Robertson, Joan Robb and Noelene Bowman...
North Otago Women's Institute members (from left) Nancy Robertson, Joan Robb and Noelene Bowman hold a wreath of about 300 poppies knitted by members, other groups and individuals and placed at the dawn service. PHOTO: DAVID BRUCE

Oamaru's dawn service was all lit up - not only by a crowd that exceeded all expectations, but also by new spotlights installed last week at the World War 1 monument.

Like other services and ceremonies around North Otago, the centenary of New Zealand and Australian forces landing at Gallipoli brought unprecedented turnouts.

The main Anzac parade and service in Oamaru ended with about 2000 crowded in and around the Garden of Memories World War 2 memorial.

With the North Otago RSA going in to liquidation because of financial issues, RSA representative John Longman, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher and his personal assistant Mandy McIntosh took on the task of organising and co-ordinating the commemorations.

''Absolutely incredible. Mind-blowing,'' was how Mr Longman described the number of people who attended the services.

''To the people of Oamaru and North Otago - one mighty thank you from the veterans,'' he said.

Mr Longman had expected increased numbers this year to commemorate 100 years since the Gallipoli campaign - but not to the extent realised.

Mr Longman said the organising group had ''got there in the end''.

''We put them on, and we will put them on every year in the future.''

Mr Kircher said the impressive turnouts had made him feel humble.

''I was amazed, actually.''

 

Add a Comment