Media release
Newmarket Business Association
Thursday 23 April 2009

More communities set to organise ANZAC Day themselves

An Auckland business community is organising its own ANZAC Day commemorations for the second year running, and claims more communities around the country will take up the slack as the RSA is forced to rationalise its activities in the coming years.

“Over the next few years the RSA will be forced to rationalise and centralise its clubs and ANZAC Day activities. As a result we’ll probably see more communities taking over the responsibility of organising local parades and services. More than ever New Zealanders are keen to commemorate the day, yet sadly the infrastructure to do just that is coming under increasing pressure,” says Cameron Brewer, head of the Newmarket Business Association.

"Not only are the numbers of veterans sadly dwindling, but the cost structure to keep local clubs afloat is increasingly prohibitive. Fortunately across New Zealand we're seeing councils, community boards and groups, resident and business associations taking a more active role in keeping local ANZAC Day traditions going through sponsorship and organisation.

In Auckland City alone local RSAs that have closed in recent years include Eden-Roskill, Remuera and Newmarket.

Early last year the Auckland District RSA decided not to host and organise an official parade or service for Newmarket, following the sale of its Newmarket clubrooms. However at the 11th hour in 2008 the Newmarket Business Association hosted a community service which attracted nearly 100 members of the public, as well as veterans.

This year will also mark the return of the ANZAC Day parade down Broadway, which will start from Teed Street at 9.45am, arriving at the Olympic Park, near the Broadway roundabout, for a 10am service.

“We really wanted to re-instigate the parade. We’ve got a council permit to allow for a rolling road closure, so it’s all go. The Auckland Pip Band will be leading the charge and we warmly invite members of the public to join us as we march down Broadway in remembrance.

“The last thing we want to do is stop honouring those in our community who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We just couldn’t bear to ignore our own local heroes on ANZAC Day – young men who marched down Broadway never to return.”

The event has the full support of the RSA’s Auckland District President Gary Walker with the service to be conducted by Rev Bryan Haggitt of St Mark’s on Remuera Road.

The Newmarket Business Association is encouraging members of the public to join the parade that leaves Teed Street at 9.45am or attend the service at Olympic Park at 10am, Saturday 25 April.

"This is only costing our business community a few hundred dollars and a few man hours to put together. However the pleasure the community gets from it is priceless," says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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