It was 1971 when Frank Rands and his wife Laurie Rands moved to Singapore, after Frank was posted here by the New Zealand Navy, and worked at the then Sembawang Naval Base.
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Coast community turns out to remember
It has been three years since Anzac Day could be marked with public services, large and small. With most local services cancelled because of the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019, and all services cancelled last year because of level 4 lockdown, numbers attending were good this Anzac Day on the Hibiscus Coast.
Hibiscus Coast Community RSA president, David Dryden, says his organisation was overwhelmed with the support they received this Anzac Day at all three of its services. He says the turnout at the dawn service was particularly pleasing. “We want to thank the community for attending our services to show respect to past and current service personnel,” he says. Photos, Photo Carnival.
Resilient Anzac service needs community help
The casual atmosphere is part of the appeal of the Anzac service at Remembrance Reserve. Photo, Andy Dunn
Attendance at Anzac services at Ōrewa Remembrance Reserve has been growing over the years.
Residents say in the early days around 80 people took part, but recent ceremonies have attracted as many as 200.
A service has been held annually on the reserve for at least 15 years and locals seem determined to keep it going. It took place despite police warnings after the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019, and even during lockdown last year.
The reserve, on Ōrewa Beach, was designed to be a place where the community could pay their respects to veterans in a more informal way. It features plaques in memory of servicemen, and a flagpole erected around five years ago.