The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has completed work on a new home for military units in Otago and Southland, transforming the former Farmlands building in Cumberland St into the modern Dunedin Defence Facility.
The facility will bring together all of the NZDF’s Dunedin-based units — army reserves, navy reserves, defence recruiting and cadet units. It will also serve as a community hub for those interested in learning more about a career in the navy, army, or air force.
After 110 years of service, the Kensington Army Hall, in Bridgman St, will close for the final time on Saturday, with veterans and service personnel gathering for a final parade and dinner.
Then on Sunday (Remembrance Sunday), the opening of the new Dunedin Defence Facility will be celebrated with a Charter and Remembrance Parade, led by soldiers from 2nd/4th Battalion and Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and HMNZS Toroa personnel. They will be joined by NZDF personnel from the navy and air force, as well as local cadet units, veterans and ex-service personnel.
Dunedin RSA president Bob Barlin said Sunday’s charter parade was the first such parade to be held in Dunedin for many years, and was especially significant in that it brought together all of the charter-holding units in the city.
"It is going to be an impressive sight, and will include from our youngest cadets to veterans in their 70s and 80s," Mr Barlin said.
Sunday’s parade will form up at HMNZS Toroa in St Andrew St and depart at 10.15am, heading towards Anzac Square in front of Dunedin Railway Station, where it will be offered an official challenge by New Zealand Police.
From there, the parade will march along State Highway1 towards the cenotaph at Queens Gardens, arriving there about 10.30am-10.40am, to be welcomed by Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker and dignitaries in a short ceremony.
Following this, the parade will form up and move off again about 11.10am, marching to the new Dunedin Defence Facility at 84 Cumberland St, where Ms Barker will perform a ceremonial inspection of the troops and officially open the facility.
The public are welcome to attend and view the parade.
Mr Barlin said the weekend’s events would be poignant for many NZDF personnel and veterans, who had enjoyed a long association with the Kensington Army Hall.
"It has been our home for more than 100 years, and we have people coming from across the region to say farewell."
Both the Kensington Army Hall and HMNZS Toroa were assessed by the Dunedin City Council as being earthquake-prone.
The Kensington Army Hall was built in 1915, while the Otago division of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (later commissioned as HMNZS Toroa) was established in 1928 and shared the army hall before moving to St Andrew St in 1948.
While remedial work had been done in recent years, parts of the buildings had to be isolated from routine use to ensure staff safety.
Armistice Day
Veterans, NZDF personnel and the public will gather again at the cenotaph in Queens Gardens on Tuesday, November 11, to mark the 107th anniversary of Armistice Day — the official end of World War 1 at 11am on November 11, 1918.
The event will be co-ordinated by HMNZS Toroa commanding officer Lieutenant-commander Peter Gee, starting at the cenotaph at 10.45am.
MC Captain Dion Beker, of 2nd/4th Battalion of NZ Army, will welcome those gathered before the firing of a two-gun howitzer salute by the Otago Gunners Association.
The service will be led by the dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Very Rev Dr Tony Curtis, and the guest speaker will be NZ Navy Lieutenant-commander Kerry Driver.
Local dignitaries and representatives of the British High Commission and New Zealand government will attend, and the Dunedin RSA Choir will lead the anthems.
Armistice/Remembrance Day events
November 9: Charter and Remembrance Parade of NZDF forces, veterans and cadets, departing HMNZS Toroa at 10.15am, challenge at Anzac Square at 10.20am, arriving at the cenotaph in Queens Gardens about 10.40am for a ceremony. Then on to the new Dunedin Defence Facility at 84 Cumberland St for an opening ceremony. Public welcome.
November 11: Dunedin RSA presents Armistice Day Service of Remembrance, from 10.45am at the Cenotaph, Queens Gardens.
November 11: Armistice Day re-dedication of KiwiRail Hillside Workshops Memorial to employees killed in action in World Wars 1 and 2, 2pm, 200 Hillside Rd. Descendants and interested people welcome.
