Respects quietly paid around region
DESPITE the country being in lockdown due to Covid19 restrictions, people throughout Otago and Southland turned out to pay tribute this Anzac Day.
At 6am in Fernhill, Queenstown, a small, respectful group gathered.
People stood apart and listened quietly to a recording of the Last Post, reveille and the national anthem outside the home of Queenstown RSA pastpresident Lyall McGregor.
Mr McGregor said it was an important day that had to be marked despite the virus.
‘‘They made a pledge when they started the whole thing off [Anzac Day] that said we would remember them, and it’s a commitment.’’
In Oamaru, a small crowd gathered at the town’s Thames St World War 1 memorial.
Wreaths had appeared overnight, and about 12 people paid their respects as dawn broke.
The strains of the Last Post echoed from 79yearold Oamaru Anzac stalwart Neville Cowles’ veranda.
The lifelong musician, who was recognised with a Queen’s Service Medal for services to music in 2017, said he hoped to play the cornet at a public Anzac Day service in Oamaru next year as an octogenarian.
In Wanaka, New Zealand Army reservist Major Ian Piercy spent his 40th Anzac Day dawn parade in uniform on his balcony, but said he did not feel alone.
‘‘I’m not by myself. This is a time for reflection on my friends, my colleagues — some who did not come home.’’
Despite a cold wind blowing off the mountains, several other residents were up before dawn paying their respects.
In Central Otago, the weather was warm and the event took on an extra level of poignancy, with possibly more residents than ever determined to mark the day in defiance of Covid19.
In Clyde’s Hazlett St the Last Post rang out, waking late sleepers at 6am, thanks to a local bugler.
Central Otago deputy mayor and Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade Deputy Chief Fire Officer Neil Gillespie described the experience of standing alone as ‘‘powerful’’ as he marked the occasion in Lowburn.
Alexandra Pipe Band also turned out, including 13yearold Duncan Fulcher, who played to a largely empty street in Centennial Ave, Alexandra.
A gentle rain formed a fittingly solemn backdrop to Anzac Day commemorations in Clutha.
Household bubbles across the district gathered at their front gates to mark the event, and some paid individual visits to local memorials.
Balclutha’s cenotaph was uncharacteristically silent this year, save for a mother and young daughter, who had brought a solitary wreath to honour the fallen.
The pair, who wished
to remain anonymous, said they had been determined to play their small part.
‘‘We just felt we had to do something to honour the sacrifice so many made for all of us,’’ the woman said.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan later laid a wreath on behalf of the district, with the permission of Clutha RSA and Civil Defence.
Several Invercargill residents took part in the national Stand at Dawn Anzac service.
Invercargill RSA secretary Cindy Kennedy and husband Peter stood outside their home at 6am with neighbours nearby, in front of a giant poppy mounted on their fence.
She said it was a sad time for those in the RSA, but it seemed the Stand at Dawn event was popular.
“We can’t be at the cenotaph like we are every year. We’re all feeling a bit lost.”
The Invercargill Cenotaph, usually wellfrequented on Anzac Day, was quiet.
A lone poppy had been placed at its base.
Those visiting remained only for a salute or moment’s silence.