Pastor Alex McLaughlin informed the crowd of 350 that the parade would continue from the cenotaph to the RSA, where a special ceremony would take place for the recipients of the Clutha RSA Welfare Trust’s tertiary scholarships.
It was the first time the trust had presented the scholarship following an Anzac service. It was normally presented before the students attended university.
However, RSA Welfare Trust chairwoman Patricia Vanderhilst said the trust decided to present the scholarships once the students were confirmed to have been accepted into study.
It also meant more people would be at the presentation ceremony on Anzac Day and could appreciate it more.
All of the recipients had a family connection to the war, which was great, Mrs Vanderhilst said.
She said it was important to keep young people interested in the RSA.
University of Otago students Brodie Smith, Bailey Reichel and Josh Hill, all formerly of South Otago High School, received $1000 each to go towards their studies.
Miss Smith said she was very appreciative of the money she received.
Her own personal tie to the Anzac service came in the form of her ‘‘Poppa’’ Jim Fiddes, who served in the navy from 1962 to 1970.
Mr Fiddes said he was ‘‘very proud’’ of his granddaughter.
‘‘It’s a great scholarship for all the young people who got it.’’
Miss Reichel’s (18) great-uncle was in World War 2 and she attended the dawn service every year as a mark of respect.
Mrs Vanderhilst said the scholarship ‘‘was a good helping hand for them’’.
She wished the students good luck with their studies.
