Lessons from the past
Anzac Day speakers urged Kiwis to learn from history
Afailure to learn from the past was highlighted by two of the speakers at Te Puke’s Anzac Day commemorations. In his address, Colonel Andrew Brown started by tracing the history of Anzac Day and highlighted New Zealanders’ service in conflicts around the world since World War 1, the most recent being the support role in the conflict in Ukraine.
“We seem to struggle with remembering the lessons from these conflicts. And the world today has some disconcerting similarities to the world of the 1930s with the rise of populist leaders increasing great power competition conflict in Europe with the risk of expansion to the west and challenges to the very essence of democracy in many countries.
“For all that, we are grateful that the country we live in steadfastly retains its democratic principles, works to look after all New Zealanders and continues to play an important role in international affairs.
“The sacrifices this country has made in the past are unlikely to be the last sacrifices that we make and as we remember the sacrifices of all those that have served, we should also consider how best to prepare for whatever challenges lie ahead.”
Col Brown, who joined New Zealand Army’s Territorial Force in March 1987 and transferred to the Regular Force in July 1997, served seven times in overseas operations between 2001 and 2020 including in Afghanistan three times, Bosniaherzegovina, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.
He is now Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RNZRSA) general manager, support services.
He is responsible for the RNZRSA’S support advisers and support programmes,
including the Veteran Employment Scheme.
Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor James Denyer expressed similar sentiments
“We stand here today united in our gratitude for the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women,” he said.
“I just want to take a moment to reflect on the ongoing conflicts around the world such as in Ukraine and Israel where we are reminded once again of the devastating impact war has on people and communities,” he said.
“Sadly we still have not fully learned the lessons from the past.”
Te Puke High School head students Libby Cooke and Isaiah
Jepsen both spoke of members of their families who had served in wartime while Te Puke Intermediate School head students Meri Tamapara and Kihirini Ronaki read On Flanders Field.
Rotorua MP Hon Todd Mcclay, whose constituency includes Te Puke, read A Tribute to Anzac Day by Ken Bunker.
Prayers were led by Rev Ruth Dewdney and MC was Mark Boyle.
Commemorations began with a parade of veterans, current service personnel, emergency services representatives, the Red Cross, students from local schools and cubs and
scouts, led by solo piper Hector Couper.
At Maketu¯ ’s dawn service, Maketu¯ Anzac committee member Maureen Waterhouse spoke about women’s roles in war time — those who had roles overseas and those who were active on the home front.
She told the story of Te Puke woman Linda Bragg who, with her sister Mary, enlisted in April 1943.
While Mary was given a date to start at Whenuapai Airbase, to train on vehicle maintenance, Linda was assigned to be a ship’s cook and told she should get herself to Wellington immediately.
All her travel arrangements were highly secret, and neither she nor her family had any idea where she was going
She was shipped to Sydney to join a Dutch ship.
The ship sailed to Johannesburg, and then to Cairo in Egypt, where she treated war injuries and loaded wounded soldiers bound for English hospitals.
Linda worked in the ship’s galley and at night she would visit the sick and wounded, helping to write letters home, and reading to the blind.
Linda also eventually became ill, A nagging cough got worse, and the verdict was tuberculosis, so she was invalided back to Southampton.
Linda was given leave till she was placed on a troopship back to NZ, and on arrival she was sent straight to the Tuberculosis Sanatorium at Otaki. In 1949 she was eventually discharged from the “sanatorium” in Waipukurau.
As a result of the tuberculosis she lost a lung and as a result was unable to ever work again.
“So today we remember our men who served so valiantly but also let’s remember the women who served alongside them,” said Maureen.