ANZAC DAY 25 APRIL NORFOLK ISLAND & NEW ZEALAND Services 2023 - Lest We Forget

ANZAC Day Services are held on 25 April here on Norfolk Island and across Australia, New Zealand along with other areas of the Pacific and the world. Since moving to Norfolk Island, I have attended the ANZAC Day memorial services at Kingston, joining with the Norfolk Island visitors, locals, return servicemen and women, along with family representatives who join the parade.

This year I was in New Zealand, and I attended the service in my old hometown, Havelock North, also with approximately a few hundred locals, maybe numbering up to a thousand people. The eldest return serviceman WWII was Mr Russell Biddy, aged 101 years. I knew Mr Biddy well and so wonderful to know he was able to attend the ANZAC parade on a fine, but chilly autumn morning service. Our family felt proud of our young nephew as he wore family medals, and this was his first ANZAC day as a member of the local Scouts. I enjoyed the greetings and messages, which were in English and Māori and local schools also had representatives speaking. As I listened to the messages, I thought of everyone back home on Norfolk Island and the heritage stories and I missed not singing the Pitcairn hymn.

The gathering of local community included family dogs, some people came on bicycles and other in gym clothing, as they stopped and paid respect to those who went to war. The speeches also acknowledge the loss and grief of many with the damage to the community with TC Gabrielle, only just two months ago and the clean up that is still continuing for the Hawkes Bay region and other areas of the country. As the Memorial service ended there was also a fly over, the formation of planes, to acknowledge ANZAC Day.

I laid a poppy on my dad’s grave after the service and then we drove to Central Hawkes Bay to visit family. Wearing my family medals, I stopped at Waipawa Memorial and the Town clock my Great Grandfather and his brothers built, The Standley Brothers. As we arrived the local pipe band was marching to the memorial leading the returned servicemen and cadets. I felt very privileged to attend two ANZAC Day services especially wearing my family medals with pride. I wore my Dad’s WWII medals and my Grandfather’s WWI medals.

It was strange not attending the Norfolk Island Commemoration Services, which were held at Kingston, the dawn parade service at Emily Bay and mid-morning

service at the Cenotaph. These ANZAC Day services are when we stop and remember and give thanks for those who serve in our Australian and New Zealand defence forces, especially those from Norfolk Island. In particular we remember the 26 men who departed from Norfolk and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

At the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, the flame of remembrance was lite at Emily Bay and hundreds gathered for the Commemoration Service. The local community and visiting guests gathered in the dark on the shores of Emily Bay. The flame of remembrance was a beacon of light that drew everyone together. The service included speakers and prayers and the “Pitcairn Hymn”. There was also a very moving re-enactment of Norfolk Islanders Vietnam and other war stories. As the new day arrived the dawn service came to an end and a new day had begun. After the Dawn Service, the Veterans gathered at the Golf Club for a Gun Fire breakfast.

The 10:30 ANZAC commemoration service was another special moment of the day, held at the Kingston Cenotaph. The procession of so many returned veterans and families was outstanding as those on parade marched towards the cenotaph for the service. Mr Ted Parkinson (WWII and KWVA) arrived on parade in a restored, wonderful old, war jeep. Wreaths were laid at the mid-morning service and thank you to those who paid respects at the services and the hundreds that attended.

After the completion of the commemorative services, the traditional ANZAC Day lunch was held at the RSL Subbranch Norfolk Island Memorial Club. A fantastic meal was served as well as entertainment with great music from local artist. Two -Ups was also organised which kept many entertained.

Thank you, to the 230ACU Norfolk Island Cadets they did a fantastic job, great to see the photos of those on parade on Tuesday. Also thank you, to the Norfolk Island St John members who attended and watched over the cadets and the crowds.

Last week the Kapyong Day Korea War service was held at the RSL Club on Monday 24^th April, and wreaths were laid during the service.

Norfolk Islanders were ANZAC members and many of their names are listed on the Norfolk Island Cenotaph in Kingston. ANZAC stands for Australia, New Zealand, Army Corps. ANZAC Day is a National Day of Remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all New Zealanders, Australians, and Norfolk Islanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.

Here are a few photographs I took in New Zealand on ANZAC Day as well of a few photographs from Norfolk Island 2023 services captured by Gaylene Nobbs-Quintal.

Around Australia, New Zealand and here on Norfolk Island, thousands of families and friends gather every year at remember those who went to war and sadly those who never returned.

We Will Remember Them

Their Sacrifice – Our Heritage

We Nawa Gwen Forget Dem

Lest We Forget

Betty Matthews

April 2023