Address still fresh over 40 years later

Maheno's Anzac commemoration has had a distinctive figure at the helm for over 40 years: 94-year-old archdeacon the Ven Bernard Wilkinson.

The former Oamaru vicar has led the Maheno Anzac Day commemoration for more than four decades.

He is renowned for his ability to keep the local remembrance fresh each year and never repeats a story.

Maheno School principal Stella Macrae said yesterday Archdeacon Bernard’s addresses remained "passionate, interesting and have a strong message".

He still cuts an energetic figure and only stepped down as manager of the Oamaru Churches Food Bank a year ago.

Until his "retirement" 34 years ago, Archdeacon Wilkinson was the vicar of St Andrew’s Maheno.

He maintained that community link, he said.

"I can’t quite remember how long it’s been. Over 40 years."

Renowned for his storytelling, he addresses the Maheno gathering each Anzac Day with personal anecdotes, offering reflections focused on humanity rather than religion.

Typically, about 150 people attended but "over 200" gathered yesterday.

Archdeacon Wilkinson told the story of Cecil White, a young Māori man who joined the Evangelical Church Army during World War 2.

Captured at the war’s end, he was sent to a Polish prisoner of war camp.

Archdeacon Wilkinson explained while marching between camps, Mr White saved a soldier’s life by pointing to his silver cross pin, prompting the captors to spare the soldier,

His Anzac addresses were inspired by his own experiences, stories told to him or those passed down through the years.

But the essential message never changed — the goal was "remembrance".

He noted many ordinary people had important wartime stories that deserved to be told.

His favourite part of the commemoration was "standing on the steps of the memorial and seeing all the people".

He was "particularly impressed" with the Maheno School pupils who yesterday marched to the memorial and laid poppies.

Mrs Macrae said the school was always involved in the Anzac commemoration — underscoring its special link to the SS Maheno.

The former Union Steamship Company liner was used during World War 1 by the New Zealand Naval Forces, and as His Majesty’s New Zealand Hospital Ship No 1.

The Maheno ran aground on Fraser Island in 1935.

Its bell was given to Maheno School in 1967 by the company.

Although it was no longer used as a school bell due to cracks, it was rung annually on Anzac Day, Mrs Macrae said.

The bell remained a symbol of the bond between New Zealand and Australia, built on the sacrifices of the Anzacs.

- By Claire Taylor, Journalism student