ANZAC to be commemorated in UK - with massive waiata   13 Apr 2015

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Photo credit Peter Livingstone - all images courtesy of NZ High Commission in London

Photo credit Peter Livingstone - all images courtesy of NZ High Commission in London

Photo credit Peter Livingstone - all image scourtesy of NZ High Commission in London

Thousands of Australians, New Zealanders and Britons will gather in London on 25 April 2015 to mark the Centenary of the ANZAC landings with a traditional Dawn Service.

 Each year on 25 April, Australians and New Zealanders remember the servicemen and women who have served their nations in conflict or peacekeeping operations.

ANZAC Day 2015 marks the Centenary of the landings at Anzac Cove, an event which remains central to Australia and New Zealand’s sense of nationhood and identity.

This year’s Dawn Service at Hyde Park Corner is expected to attract about 5,000 people, more than twice as many people as in previous years.

The Dawn Service will be attended by the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, KCVO CB ADC(P), along with Australian and New Zealand Government and Defence Force Representatives.

The Australian and New Zealand governments will be represented by the Australian Government’s Attorney-General Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Australia the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP and the Speaker for the New Zealand House of Representatives Rt Hon David Carter, along with the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners.

The Australian Defence Force will be represented by Lieutenant General John Caligari AO DSC and Brigadier Antony Hayward ONZM, Head of New Zealand Defence Staff in London will represent the New Zealand Defence Force.

Those wishing to attend the Dawn Service this year are encouraged to get there earlier than usual (no later than 4.30am), as security will be tighter than in previous years. Gates will open from 2.30am, and those planning to attend are advised to bring photo identification.

The Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, HE the Hon Alexander Downer AC said the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign provided an opportunity to honour Australia and New Zealand’s servicemen and women and recognise their contribution.

“On this, the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, we commemorate those brave soldiers who fought and lost their lives at Gallipoli, as well as those who have served and died in all conflicts and peacekeeping operations since that time.

“ANZAC soldiers first marched in the UK back in 1916, just a year after the Gallipoli campaign, and their efforts have been honoured in London each year since.”

HE the Hon Sir Lockwood Smith, New Zealand High Commissioner said:

“One hundred years ago, on the rugged heights above Anzac Cove, the young men of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps forged in blood the ANZAC Legend, and in the process wrote the opening pages of a new national consciousness for both New Zealand and Australia. We will never forget them, they will always inspire us.”

This year’s service will include a didgeridoo performance by Chris Williams, a descendant of the Wakka Wakka people from central southwest Queensland. Mr Williams is a leading international didgeridoo soloist and professional trumpet player who will travel to London with support from Qantas.

After the formal service there will be a special commemorative waiata (Maori song with actions), E Pari Ra performed by a large number of New Zealanders in front of the New Zealand Memorial. E Pari Ra was written in 1918 by Paraire Tomoana.

“This Anzac day marks 100 years since the Gallipoli landings and we want to organise something really special to commemorate the significance of this day and the unimaginable sacrifices the ANZACs made for us. We want to show the people of the UK, and those watching around the world, that we have not forgotten those boys. We will remember them. And what better way than through music and our culture.”

Around 200 people so far have registered to take part in the waiata – but Ngati Ranana and the New Zealand High Commission are keen to have many more involved. Public rehearsals have been taking place in New Zealand House, and there are several more scheduled ahead of the day itself. If people are not able to attend the rehearsals, they are warmly invited to learn online and join in at the Dawn Service.

Other ANZAC Day commemorative events in London include a wreath laying at the Cenotaph attended by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duke of Cambridge and a service of remembrance at Westminster Abbey attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

The NZ Society (UK) will host a special daytime event in the Penthouse of the New Zealand High Commission on London’s Haymarket. Doors open from 10am, where guests will be welcomed with light refreshments and ANZAC biscuits. Live BBC coverage from the Cenotaph will follow from 11am. The event also includes a light luncheon, and a cash bar stocked with NZ beers and wines from 12.30pm. A number of tickets are still available for this special event.

For those New Zealanders and Australians elsewhere in the UK, there are also a number of events being held outside of London – details here.

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