With almost no clouds in the sky Raglanites experienced a very hot day for our 2019 ANZAC Parade. There was a good contingent of returned and services people for the parade and a very big audience lined Bow Street to watch and take part in the ANZAC Day commemorative parade and 11am service. Representatives of the armed services took part in the parade and the service.
The Parade formed in Wainui Road marching along Wainui Rd then round into Bow St. It was led by the Raglan Highland Pipe Band. A Red Cross donkey followed by the veterans, the Army, Navy and Air force followed by the local services, community groups and schools.
Colin Hodkinson Raglan RSA MC, opened the service. He welcomed Ward Councillor Lisa Thomson, RCB Chair Bob MacLeod, Raglan Museum President Ken Soanes, Raglan Club President Debbie Dalbeth and RCAC Chair Rodger Gallagher. Ministers Sean Ellison and Kathleen Gavin from the Anglican Church then took the service. Students from Raglan Areas School gave talks on what ANZAC Day meant to them. Joel covered how the people named on the cenotaph were ordinary people like all of us. Grace Mindoro spoke powerfully on the importance of pre WW1 history and highlighted how only a few of her classmates were aware of local figures such as Te Awaitaia. The wreath laying came next with Colin Hodkinson each group being called in turn as many local groups and individuals laid memorials.
The army representatives 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.
ANZAC Day photos by Richard Gallagher
