The fog-shrouded Orawia Dawn Service, 16km from Tuatapere.

ANZAC Day in Tuatapere - a small community remembers its heroes.

By Barry Allison

According to the 2006 Census, the Tuatapere District population was some 560. That being so, its ANZAC Day turnouts were remarkable. Almost 300 at the Orawia Dawn Service, 16km from town, and at least the same at the later Civic Service and Parade in town.

I've been to ANZAC Day commemorations all over our country. What's special about small towns is that the names on the memorials are real people to the many family descendants at the services. In Wellington or Auckland for example the ANZAC Day focus is on nationhood, Tuatapere is squarely on community.

A community tribute to memory, service and sacrifice.

By Barbara Allison

Tuatapere RSA’s ANZAC Day observances traditionally begin with a pre Dawn Service breakfast at the President’s home. Some of you will be saying “but we’re falling in by then”, and that’s true, but Tuatapere is our second most westerly town, so ANZAC dawn there breaks around 7am.

Barry and I arrived at President Syd Harvey’s home at 5.30am to catch him with his pants down. Well, it was a coldish morning, and Syd was getting dressed by his log burner. We offered to start cooking breakfast but Syd said, “Don’t worry the boys will be here soon”. Sure enough a well-drilled team soon arrived and swept into action.

An hour later, and stuffed with venison steak, bacon, sausages and the sweetest tomatoes ever (grown by Syd), warmed with tea, coffee and fortified with a wee drop or two, our convoy set out on the 16km drive to Orawia and the Dawn Service.

Fog patches joined forces and became a blanket. Guide Syd was studying his notes. We missed the turnoff. But, when you’re carrying the President, people wait and we were just a minute or two overdue!

The floodlit memorial stood out like a beacon in the fog. Hundreds of people, cars and utes lined the road. Syd presided over the Service aided by his parade marshal George Harpur; piper Val McKay, who played for the march to the memorial and also a lament; bugler Michael Hopper and flag orderly Senior Fire Fighter Rex Gibbs. Bill Finlay sang The Lord’s Prayer, a heartfelt personal tribute to “the old digs” that he has paid each ANZAC Day for 45 years. Bill’s voice may be gravely, he is getting on in years, but it remains true. Lincoln Moffat recited the 25 names on the memorial, Reveille sounded and the flag rose to full mast. Syd thanked everyone for their attendance and issued an invite to the Orawia Community Hall for a gunfire breakfast (rum & coffee) savouries and sandwiches.

For the Civic Service everyone gathered in Gallery65, the home of Syd’s Daughter Sue and her artist (and chief breakfast cook) husband, Wayne Edgerton. The converted bank building on Tuatapere’s main street is beautifully restored and displays many of Wayne’s oil paintings of the region. Many trophy heads hang on the walls, well in keeping because Tuatapere people are great hunters, supplementing their larders and making a living from outdoor recreation associated businesses. Syd described Sue as his “right-hand man”, who does all the e-mailing, faxing and banking for the RSA.

The Memorial Hall was filled to overflowing for the Service. As we formed up outside for the Tuatapere Pipe Band to pipe is in, passing visitors stopped to see what was happening. Some remained for the Service and parade, remarking they felt lucky to do so and thought it was brilliant.

Syd conducted affairs assisted by Minister Jocelyn Broughton, pianist Florence Dennison, RSA Secretary John Munro and RNZRSA Southland District President Bruce Henderson, who learned he was guest speaker only after he’d arrived!

Community acknowledgements & presentations took place including the Tuatapere Armed Services Memorial Bursary. This year’s winners were John Horrell and Louise Thomas, who received their $1500 bursaries from John Munro. Syd said that the purpose of the Trust is to create a living memorial to Tuatapere district people who had served in the armed forces, perhaps giving or shortening their lives in service; by making district youth aware of how these sacrifices benefited everyone. The Trust also aimed to help raise the level of education among district youth.

Younger children participated in the Service; marching in the colours for placement as a wreath-laying focal point and accepting white crosses with a poppy centrepiece, one for each of the 45 names on the Tuatapere Roll of Honour, and carrying their cross in the parade to the War Memorial Library.

A moving time during the commemoration was the recitation of the names of Tuatapere’s heroes accompanied by a slideshow of their photographs.

Invercargill journalist Shirley Whyte was born in Tuatapere and has covered the observances for many years. “Because a lot of people support our RSA there has always been a good turnout here, she said. But this year was very good.”

I have attended ANZAC ceremonies in Wellington for many years. I remember a black-clad, white haired elderly lady’s faltering steps to place her poppy on the Petone War Memorial. I always wondered who she was and why she was there. Inevitably one day she was no longer there. I never knew her name or who she mourned.

Such is not the case in Tuatapere. From the oldest to the youngest everyone knows who is remembering who and why. Formality rules in the Capital. Its Dawn Service is moving but there is an impression of stiffness. Sheer numbers overwhelm personal tributes and touches. Not so for Tuatapere. There are no moments of embarrassment or awkwardness. Any gaffes or gaps in the ceremonies are seamlessly stitched together with good natured laughs and empathetic understanding by a very supportive community.

Syd has run Tuatapere’s ANZAC Day commemorations for 21 years. A privilege he regards as his personal commitment and tribute to the memory, service and sacrifice of old comrades. “I do it for the old fellas”, he said.

The crowded Tuatapere Memorial Hall.

The Civic parade steps off. The Tuatapere Pipe Band's rendering of Amazing Grace outside the Memorial Library, especially the lone piper, was outstanding and very moving.

The scene at the Memorial Library during the Civic service.