New Arrangements for Anzac Day
A community decision will see a traditional Anzac commemoration go ahead this April 25 in Puhoi despite a police directive to postpone the annual event and encourage people to travel to memorial ceremonies in larger centres such as Warkworth, Wellsford and the Hibiscus Coast.
The
rationale for the directive is the lack of enough police force members
to patrol Anzac ceremonies in smaller centres in the face of possible
threats to public safety following the events of March 15, when 50
Muslim worshipers were gunned down and killed at two Christchurch
mosques.
Puhoi people have, however, expressed a
wish to meet as has become traditional over the past few year at the
settlement’s war memorial gates at the entrance to the Puhoi Pioneers
Memorial Park.
The familiar format – a
gathering at 9am (9.30am?) Reveille, Scouts, Fire Brigade members and
other uniformed groups, a talk by a resident war history enthusiast and
the laying of wreaths will be maintained, the major difference this year
being that the organisers of the event will be the local fire brigade,
not the Puhoi Heritage Museum Society, instituters and organisers of
previous commemorations.
The society will abide by the police directive not to hold a commemoration in Puhoi this year.
The
annual display of war memorabilia and literature, plus an Anzac
biscuits and refreshments gathering at the historic Puhoi Library will
not be affected by these changes to the traditional routine, except for
opening times – this year from 10am to 2pm.
Instead
of the usual morning tea in the community hall following the parade,
the fire brigade will be hosting the refreshments following the
traditional ceremony. People can easily find parking or walk to the
centrally-located station.
“The decision to go ahead with the gathering was a community one,” says deputy fire chief Mike Donovan.
by Judith Williamscommunity news provider.
