After Thursday’s cold weather, the sun that shone on Friday’s ANZAC Day parade was a surprise for most. Just as in earlier years, a huge crowd gathered, lining Bow St to take part in the 11am service. 161 battery was in town for ANZAC Day with their camp set up in the Raglan Area School hall. Barry Dryer the Colonel Commandant of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery led the forces contingent at the parade.
The Parade formed in Wainui Road marching along Wainui Rd then round into Bow St. It was led by a large contingent from the Raglan Caledonian Band. A red cross donkey followed along with two soldiers on horse and next came the veterans, the Army, Navy and Air force followed by the local services.
Raglan RSA President, Colin Hodkinson, opened the service before handing over to the two ministers. Sean Ellison took the Maori parts of the service saying that this was a day to remember all battles including the battle of Ōrākau which took place in 1864, 150 years ago. Kathleen Gavin from the Anglican Church took the English parts of the service. Lennox Reynolds, a year 8 student at Raglan Area School and winner of the Raglan Club’s ANZAC essay competition, read an extract from his essay. The wreath laying came next with many local groups laying memorials. Another year of good clear sound.
The cadets from Fraser High School then took the Last Post. The tradition of singing both Advance Australia Fair and God Defend New Zealand in Maori and then English was continued. And finally the Parade marched off to the Raglan Club to a morning tea sponsored by the Raglan Community Board.
It was disappointing that the Raglan Bakehouse and Blacksands Cafe stayed open throughout the service. This is very disrespectful. It would be a good idea if next year the RSA had a chat to these establishents.
http://www.dol.govt.nz/er/holidaysandleave/publicholidays/shop-opening-hours.asp sets out the exemptions to shop closure rules. Cafes are among those excepted.
My comment about the cafes wasn’t about the legality of what they were doing. It was about respect. With these two establishments located adjacent to the parade and service area it was disrespectful of them to stay open.