Head girl's speech tells of Kiwi soldier

Wanganui Girls' College head girl Stacey Wyatt (left) gave the address at the Dawn Parade and, with deputy-head girl Philippa Evans, laid a wreath at the cenotaph. Photo/Stuart Munro

Dawn Parade did not feature in Stacey Wyatt's young life, until yesterday that is.

Stacey, the head girl and Year 13 student at Wanganui Girls' College, was chosen to give the keynote address at yesterday's commemoration in Wanganui.

Before the first light of dawn broke over Queens Park, she spoke to an estimated crowd of 4000, about a young Kiwi soldier, Walter Edmond (Bill) Leadly, who took part in the landings at Gallipoli 99 years ago.

She described Anzac Day commemorations as a time that did not glorify war nor praise the victors "but to remember those who have served our country in times of conflict and to recognise and admire their selfless sacrifice".

It was Stacey's first time as speechmaker at the dawn service and she said it was a daunting task.

"I was quite nervous but because it was so dark I couldn't see anyone so that made me a bit more comfortable," she said.

Her history teacher helped her with the research for her address which focused on the diary of Bill Leadly, who made it to the beach as the sole survivor of his platoon.

"I didn't know a great deal about the Dawn Parades until this year and today has had a big effect on me," she said.

She said she would be attending parades in future. Later she and deputy-head girl Philippa Evans laid a wreath at the cenotaph.