With a flourish 99-year-old Ynys Fraser cut the cake celebrating 75 years of "an icon in Rotorua", QE Health.
Patron of the Friends of QE Heath, Mrs Fraser has connections to the rehabilitation facility dating back to its beginnings, with her father helping set it up.
Mrs Fraser told the crowd gathered for an afternoon tea of "celebration and remembrance" about the part QE Health played in Rotorua's history.
"[QE Health] gave the men who fought in World War II a longer period to rehabilitate their minds, hearts and emotions into family and everyday life."
Chief executive Andrina Romano said today was 75 years since the first patients were recorded at the centre in an old journal.
"We've made it 75 years, we're looking forward to the next 75."
Ms Romano said the organisation wanted to celebrate being a long-standing business in Rotorua.
"Some of the staff have been here 40 years while others are newer. It's a mix of new and old. The staff work here for a reason - making people better."
She said with the lease on the QE Health building running out in mid-2020, and with a 12-month build platform, funding was required for a new building.
A ball is planned for September, a first for the organisation, to be held in the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.
Ms Romano said the ball was continuing QE Health's entertainment roots as shows and performances were put on for the soldiers who were convalescing.
Tickets for the ball would soon be on sale and there would be a silent auction at the event, she said.
An online PledgeMe fundraising page has also been launched based around the soldiers from the Yarnbomb poppy project, with people able to sponsor a poppy or a soldier.
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said the celebration was wonderful.
"It's very significant to keep marking the past."
Judy O'Sullivan, chairwoman of the Friends of QE Health, said it was special to be celebrating the 75th anniversary.
"QE Health has moved with the times."
Graeme Simpson, marketing & communications director, said it was exciting to be celebrating the history and the future of QE Health.
It had been "a bit" emotional to see the QE Health Yarnbomb poppy project come to life, he said.
"The Yarnbombers did a fantastic job. A lot of hard work has gone into the project and we really appreciate it."
Anzac Day Yarnbomb 2017
- To see the sponsorship options visit www.qehealth.co.nz/yarnbomb
- All proceeds go to QE Health's new building fund and the RSA Welfare Fund.