Young flavour to Tauranga's Anzac Day service

An Army Cadet stands guard at the Civic Service. Photo/Andrew Warner.

Large numbers of young families and college students lent a special atmosphere to yesterday's Anzac Day Civic Service held at the cenotaph on Memorial Park.

An estimated 1200 people surrounded the cenotaph for the ceremony, which featured the laying of wreaths by about 34 people including representatives from Western Bay's councils, political parties, colleges, armed services and veterans' organisations, the police, Fire Service, women's organisations and nurses.

The service opened with the parade marching on to the area fronting the cenotaph, the singing of God Save the Queen and the breaking of the New Zealand flag on the flagpole.

Tauranga mayor Greg Brownless welcomed everyone, saying the event recalled the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers on the rugged Gallipoli Peninsula 102 years ago.

Mr Brownless said large numbers of servicemen died in overseas battles or later from wounds. "Many of those who survived returned home injured or brought back memories that many of us cannot even imagine. We reflect on these many special people who went to war and gave their lives for our future to be peaceful."

Quoting the words of a former Governor-General, Mr Brownless said Anzac Day showed how it was possible for commonplace men and women to rise to heights of sacrifice which had never been known to be possible.

"They raised to a higher plane the standard of life of every one of us . . . let us make this day truly one of remembrance of the costs of war, and of gratitude and respect for peace."

Mr Brownless then acknowledged the presence at the service of a "very special returned gentleman", 100-year-old Trevor Blaker.

The main address was delivered by Commander Lisa Hunn of the Royal New Zealand Navy, who has been appointed to command HMNZS Te Mana.

She said the world of 2017 was a very different place from when Anzac Day was first commemorated.

"In the 21st century, our task is to be prepared before the worst occurs. Today threats to our nation are varied and develop extremely quickly. They range from natural disasters through to cyber attacks, and from terrorism to large-scale war. All too commonly our forces have to deal with people who have no regard for human rights or the laws of war," Commander Hunn said.