Back to memorials for Anzac Day
Parade the first one from RSA’s new home in Hannah St
It’s back to the memorials around Northland to commemorate Anzac Day on Sunday after the Covid-19 lockdown had last year’s events cancelled. Because of the lockdown, the RSA cancelled Anzac Day commemorations nationwide in 2020. With older people particularly at risk from the virus — and many of them expected at Anzac Day events — services were called off.
But on Sunday thousands will flock to the memorials around Northland to honour those who have served their country. The largest event will be in Whanga¯rei where thousands are expected at the Cenotaph in Laurie Hall Park.
The theme of this year’s Anzac Day is Women in Service, and Holly Taylor, who organised this year’s events for the Whanga¯rei RSA, said this will be the first parade from the RSA’s new home in Hannah St.
‘‘And after last year’s Stand at Dawn we look forward to being able to stand proud during our ceremony to remember the fallen,” she said.
The parade will form up at 5.30am in Hannah St and will make its way to Laurie Hall Park at 5.45am for the service to start at 6.05am.
Mae Henry, an army member, said it was awesome women in service were front and centre on Anzac Day this year. ‘‘We are finally coming to the forefront. We are just as important as the men.”
Mae was on Groote Eylandt off Australia for last Anzac Day and was pleased to be ‘‘back to normal’’ at Laurie Hall on Sunday. Kaycee Henry thought it was choice to have Women in Service as the theme this year.