40 years of Anzac Day piping
Ann Robbie has been an Anzac Day piper for at least 40 years, only missing a couple when she was pregnant.
On Sunday, she will be piping at Anzac services at Isla Bank and Winton, as well as at a funeral at the Eastern Cemetery in Invercargill.
Robbie feels honoured to officiate and contribute to Anzac services in different parts of Southland each year.
‘‘The tiny wee bit we do is miniscule compared with what they [war veterans] went through and endured . . . and their families getting the knock on the door to be told you’ve lost your loved one or sons [at war],’’ Robbie said.
Her emotions can run high at funerals and Anzac services. ‘‘I can be playing at the funeral of a person I don’t know, and I can lose it.
‘‘The empathy catches you. On Anzac Day the empathy is there . . . you can walk away, and you’ve got tears running down your cheeks.
Robbie recalled the worst weather she struck for piping on Anzac Day was at Riverton in 2009. She was one of eight pipers officiating in miserable conditions.
‘‘It was horrific. We were marching across the [main] bridge and the hail was inch deep on the drones. My fingers were so cold I couldn’t play.
‘‘The hail was so forceful it left burn marks on our faces and lips.’’
Seeing increasing numbers of children becoming more aware of the significance of Anzac Day and attending services pleased Robbie.
Schools were informing children more about the historic day, compared to when she was at school and the world wars weren’t talked about, she said.
Another interest of Robbies is restoring monuments and historic honours boards.
She has helped to repair or is in the process of restoring 40 in the province.