Anzac Day in Central Otago will have some additional services this year, including one at Chatto Creek, and another at the Cromwell cemetery.

Cromwell RSA secretary Peter Svensson said it was only the second time since his unveiling, the soldier atop the cenotaph will stand alone, as they move their service to the cemetery for 2025.

The previous occasion was in Covid lockdown of 2020. The Cromwell RSA hope this will be the last time they have to commemorate Anzac Day “in the shadow of the memorial,” as they await completion of the new memorial hall - planned for July 2026.

Cromwell RSA veterans and members will lead the parade from the cemetery gates to the service section of the cemetery. The graves of veterans at the Cromwell cemetery were all marked with a white peg and most have a ceramic poppy attached.

The flags of both Australia and New Zealand will be flown during the service. A second flagpole is to be erected at the cemetery before Anzac Day.

The Cromwell RSA is making a heartfelt plea for veterans to join the parade, particularly the veterans who returned without appropriate acknowledgement of their service during conflicts on distant shores.

The community is encouraged to place a poppy on veterans’ graves on ANZAC Day and maps will be available to allow community members to identify the location of family members.

Anzac Day services around Cromwell and districts are as follows:

• 8am Cromwell Cemetery
• 9am Bannockburn Memorial
• 9am Lowburn Hall
• 10am Cromwell Cemetery
• 10am Tarras Hall

The Cromwell RSA has also been busy preparing for ANZAC Day and will be launching with Poppy Day on April 11.

“We will be out in the community making poppies available in and around Cromwell including the mall and the industrial area on that day,” Pete said.

Meanwhile, Alexandra-Clyde RSA will host its traditional dawn parade at the Clyde lookout followed by a service in downtown Alexandra at 10:30am on April 25.

But a new event at the Chatto Creek Tavern at 1pm will see the 25-pounder cannon move out of town and fire an additional three rounds there as well. 

Alexandra-Clyde RSA president Kevin Harding will speak at the ceremony, along with Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley, the Last Post will be played by Christine Wright and there will be a wreath laying - all following the same morning programme as in Alexandra.

Omakau will have an Anzac Day parade leaving from the hotel at 9:45am and heading to the memorial hall, Ranfurly will host a dawn service at 6:30am at the War Memorial, followed by a parade at Patearoa at 10am.

Down in the Teviot Valley, Roxburgh will also host a dawn service at 6am at the King George Memorial.

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