Tuesday 19 April 2016

ANZAC Day Service – 25 April

Christchurch City Council is encouraging people to attend the 2016 ANZAC Day parade and dawn service at 6.15am Monday 25 April at Cranmer Square.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says the service is an opportunity for communities to come together and reflect on the courage of our servicemen and women both past and present.

"The service usually attracts a crowd of more than 15,000 people and it is especially pleasing to see an increasing number of young people getting involved and wearing the medals earned by their grandparents or other relatives," Mayor Dalziel says.

"One hundred years ago our service men and women were in the midst of the First World War. Attending an ANZAC Day dawn parade is a special act of remembrance for the sacrifices they made.

It starts at 6.15am with a parade from the Returned and Services Association building in Armagh Street to Cranmer Square.

The Council organises the service in conjunction with the Canterbury Branch of the Malaya Veterans Association and the Christchurch Branch of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association. It will be attended by Hon Nicky Wagner, MP who will lay a wreath on behalf of the New Zealand Government.

Warrant Officer Jamie Osborne will read the ANZAC Dedication and lay a wreath on behalf of the Australian Government. He will be accompanied by the Hon. John Rau, MP - Deputy Premier of South Australia and Minister for the City of Adelaide.

Representatives of the diplomatic community, Christchurch-based consular corps, New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Police, Order of St John, cadet corps, New Zealand Fire Service and the Merchant Navy will also lay wreaths.

The service will be led by Dean of Christ Church Transitional Cathedral, the Very Reverend Lawrence Kimberley. Bryan Shankland VRD of the Malaya Veterans Association will read the ANZAC Remembrance. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the New Zealand Army Band.

Approaches to Cranmer Square will be closed from 5.30am. You can find information about road closures on the Christchurch Transport Operations Centre (CTOC) website.

The Council is also organising the Citizens' Service to be held at the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral at 10am.

The address will be given by Commander Simon Rooke, RNZN. Commanding Officer HMNZS Canterbury. Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass and the Canterbury Plainsmen male voice choir will provide musical and choral accompaniment.

"I particularly enjoy the involvement of Christchurch youth groups and their parade of colours in this service," Mayor Dalziel says.

Further information, including a list of other services being held around the district, can be found on the Council's website.

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