The Rev Tim Hurd (rear), of St Luke's Church, stands in contemplation as Tony Gallagher plays a lament for the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, at a World Peace Day commemoration in Oamaru yesterday. Photo by Andrew Ashton.
About 50 people, including 16 exchange pupils from Tokyo who are visiting St Kevins College, marked the occasion at a sombre gathering at the Oamaru Hiroshima memorial stone in the Oamaru Public Gardens.
Organiser Hugh Perkins said the "thought-provoking" ceremony, which included poetry readings, music and song, had been well received.
"I was delighted with the turnout and having the Japanese students here made it a bit more special."
Since the Hiroshima memorial stone was laid in the gardens in 2005, commemorations had been "intermittent", but given that this year's event had been so well attended, he hoped the occasion could be marked again next year, he said.
