Hundreds gathered to remember and thank service personnel involved in conflicts around the world at nine main Anzac Day services in the district on Saturday.
Gore RSA president Bradley Bridgman said numbers at commemorations were ‘‘on par’’ with the past few years.
Alongside the dawn parade in Gore, there were services in Mataura, Riversdale, Waikaia, Waikaka, Tapanui, Tuturau, Te Tipua, Pukerau and Wyndham.
At the Gore dawn service, dozens marched behind high-school students bearing flags.
Behind them was Gore’s veteran community, service personnel including police, fire-fighters and St John Ambulance staff, then the Hokonui Celtic Pipe Band, Gore Mayor Ben Bell and last in line, the public.
At the cenotaph in Crewe St a prayer was read by Bruce Cavanagh, the Gore RSA’s padre.
The poem in memoriam was read by Tania Lowe.
‘‘Another generation, another bloody war. The sons of the survivors came from towns like Oamaru and Gore.’’
‘‘Let us also remember those who have served and continue to serve in the defence of our freedom.
‘‘It looks amazing from up here. I wish I could take a photo.’’
The commemoration in Wyndham from 8.45am saw dozens march from the community hall to the war memorial, where there were speeches, one speaker saying that service people ‘‘ ... are ready to endure the worst so that we can enjoy the best’’.
A service was held at Menzies Ferry, near Edendale from 1pm. Dozens turned out to commemorate the local soldiers killed in the two world wars.
Two of which included the McKenzie twins, who likely were killed on the same day in World War 1.
There was a bible reading and prayer and reading of the statement from the Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.
‘‘The lessons learnt at such cost by earlier generations are as relevant now as they were more than a century ago, it stated.’’
