Full house for Glenhaven’s ANZAC Day event

The ANZAC Day Ceremony at Living Choice Glenhaven is always a highlight on the village calendar and with numbers capped at 105, there is usually a waiting list to attend. This year, there was another `full house’ with 105 people attending the 5pm event.

Organised by Dianne Parrey and Maurice York, the speakers included five residents - Maurice York, Norma Johnston, Wal Heydon, Les Clayton and Dianne Parrey.

Maurice spoke about his recent visit to The Gallipoli Exhibition at Te Papa Museum, Wellington, which tells the story of the Gallipoli Campaign through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances during WW1.

Norma spoke about a book that was launched on ANZAC Day, `Life so Full of Promise’, about an uncle killed during WW1.

Wal described his father’s time in Changi Prison and his letters and postcards while Les had short stories about three family members who served during WW2. He also spoke briefly about the recent finding of the Montevideo Maru.

Dianne concluded with an overview of three years of her father’s life as a trainee and then operational Pilot in WW2 in the RAAF and RAF.

Other highlights were the singing of the hymn `Recessional’ and the New Zealand and Australian national anthems, plus The Ode, Last Post, Silence and Rouse presented by Les Gittens.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the bistro area to enjoy a light evening meal of soup and rolls, lamingtons and red poppy biscuits.