Paying tribute to the men who died in the war can be a humbling experience for anyone, but for one member of the South Otago High School first XV rugby team, it was especially poignant.
At the Anzac dawn service in Balclutha yesterday, members of the school rugby team congregated to perform the team haka at the Cenotaph at Renfrew St.
Pinned to the lapel of high school pupil Mitchell Hollows (17) was a shining row of medals which belonged to his great-grandfather, Tom Gold, who fought in World War 2.
Mitchell had not intended to wear the medals but was given them by his grandmother when she learned he would be performing as part of the rugby team.
He said he was nervous about wearing them for the haka but knew that doing so would be a sign of respect.
It gave him more pride than normal when performing, he said.
HMNZS Otago Midshipman Toby Mara was a guest speaker.
He was followed by South Otago High School head boy Ashton Tourell and head girl Sophie Mills.
Sophie commented on how growing up attending dawn services had changed her.
As a young child, she said it was exciting to get up early and have the day off, but as she approached adulthood she had a new-found respect and understanding of the importance of Anzac Day.
Marchers left the Balclutha War Memorial Hall to arrive at the Cenotaph shortly after 7am.
Alex McLaughlin was the service speaker for the morning and Clutha District RSA past-president Nigel Beck performed the dedication.
The service concluded with the New Zealand and Australian national anthems.
