Light will shine on the World War 1 war memorial in Oamaru on Anzac Day.
Work is under way to have a permanent light installation ready in time, after special funding for centenary events was used to finance the idea of Oamaru man Peter Mountain.
The light will shine on those who gather at the memorial on Saturday for Oamaru's dawn service and address from Waitaki Girls' High School principal Tracy Walker.
Because the North Otago RSA went into liquidation, Anzac Day events are being organised by its former president, John Longman and Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher is co-ordinating events throughout the district.
Later, at 10.30am, hundreds are expected to gather at the start of the main Anzac Day ceremony at the Boer War monument on the corner of Thames and Severn Sts.
There will be a parade
down Thames St for a second wreath-laying at the World War 1 monument, followed by the main service at the Garden of Memories (World War 2), where Mr Kircher will be the guest speaker.
Mr Kircher said acknowledgement of the Australian connection would be felt in a much stronger way this year.
The Australian national anthem would be played at many Waitaki ceremonies and Australian former service people in the area would be involved where possible.
An Australian flag will also fly from a pole at the Garden of Memories. In the past, an Australian flag has just been carried at the service. A message from the Australian High Commissioner Michael Potts will be read at local services.
St John will have an increased presence at ceremonies this year, Mr Kircher said.
''Which is in recognition of their history and the important role played in World War 1,'' he said.
At 2.30pm, a free concert is being held at the Waitaki Boys' High School Hall of Memories.
It will be a ''poignant, but sometimes humorous look at World War 1 and how it all started''.
Other services across the district will take place through the day.
In East Otago, as well as the usual Anzac Day service on Saturday, a special centenary Anzac commemoration will be held in Palmerston tomorrow.
The idea was that of resident and former Waitaki mayor Alex Familton.
The event will start at 2pm at the memorial archway on Main Rd (State Highway 1) and involve RSA representatives, veterans, pupils and Mr Kircher in speeches and presentations.
School principal Lennox Sharp said the commemoration was: '' ... at the sharp edge of our history and heritage, because it bonds our veterans who defended our values, with our outstanding youth, who are blessed with the consequent opportunities.''
A photograph to represent the area's 100th-year commemoration of Anzac Day will be taken to be prominently displayed at the school.
