Volunteers restore and remember
During Anzac weekend, volunteers came together to restore memorials and gravestones of past servicemen and women for Restore to Remember, a joint initiative by the New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA) and Student Volunteer Army (SVA).
Teams of students and NZRA supervisors, along with volunteers from organisations including Bunnings, cleaned and cleared about 100 graves at Hillsborough Cemetery.
NZRA chief executive officer Simon Strombom said Restore to Remember was about ensuring that our past service peoples’ contribution to New Zealand was not forgotten.
‘‘It’s about our communities coming together for Anzac Day and reconnecting with each other and a shared history,’’ Strombom said.
“It’s also about students using their collective elbow grease for a cause that’s meaningful for many New Zealanders.’’
Up to 700 volunteers took part at 25 grave sites across the country.
The NZRA estimates there are more than 350,000 service graves in New Zealand, spanning every conflict from the New Zealand Wars through to more recent times with Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and Afghanistan.
During the past three years, the NZRA and SVA have restored 90,000 graves around New Zealand, working towards having all sites restored nationwide.
“I’d like to thank the people and organisations behind this project who have made it possible, including the teachers, students and volunteers who have given up their time freely to do the work in cemeteries across the country,’’ Strombom said.
‘‘Veterans’ groups have also given their collective support, including the Onwards Bar, SSANZs, Te Kiwi Maia, Patriots, the team from Bunnings and other agencies.’’
Bunnings New Zealand director Ben Camrie said it was an honour for the Bunnings team to take part in Restore to Remember and help clean the graves of New Zealand’s war heroes.
‘‘We commend the NZRA and the SVA for the great work they are doing in the memory of those who sacrificed so much for this country,’’ Camrie said.
Bunnings donated cleaning supplies and team members volunteered their time to help on the day.