Take the time to honour those who fought for us this weekend – we have a few suggestions for you.

Those who fought for us in any of the wars that have gone before secured the wonderful life we now enjoy. They are our real-life superheroes. 

Let’s take the time to honour them this year, and attend one of the events being held this Sunday. Then, the ANZAC holiday is Monday-ised for everyone to have a day of rest and recreation with friends and family.

Central Otago marked last year’s ANZAC Day while in lockdown, due to the nation-wide COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions. 

This year is a chance to be together and attend one of the commemorations for ANZAC Day being held throughout the region.

There are a range of ANZAC Day commemorations across the region, from dawn services to parades.

Alexandra 

The parade will assemble at 10.45am on the corner of Deel Street and will march to the War Memorial Monument, where a service and wreath-laying ceremony will take place starting at 11am.

Note: The gun will fire at the start of the service.

Clyde

There are a couple of options for Clyde residents. 

Clyde Lookout dawn service: A bus will leave the Alexandra District Club at 6.15am. Anyone wanting to walk up the Lookout Track should meet at the corner of Holloway and Sunderland Streets and bring a torch. The official service will start at the Clyde Dam lookout at 6.45am.

Clyde wreath laying service: This will be at the Clyde cenotaph. The parade will form at 7.45am, with the service beginning at 8am. At the end of the service, the parade will continue down to the Clyde Bowling Club for refreshments.

Omakau

The parade will assemble at the Omakau Commercial Hotel at 9.45am and march to the Omakau Hall, for a wreath laying ceremony at 10am.

Millers Flat

Assemble at the Millers Flat Hall at 9am and march to the Millers Flat War Memorial for the service. If it rains, the service will be held at the Millers Flat Hall.

Roxburgh

Meet at the town hall at 7am and march to the King George Memorial Park Playground, Scotland Street Roxburgh for the service. If it rains, the service will be held in the town hall.

Cromwell

Lay poppies on Servicemen’s graves at the Cromwell Cemetery at 8am. The service and parade will start at 10am at the Memorial Hall.

Bannockburn

Meet at the Bannockburn War Memorial for a service and parade, starting at 9am.

Lowburn

Meet at the Lowburn hall for a service and parade.

Ranfurly

There will be a dawn service at the Ranfurly War Memorial. Meet there at 6.30am, and don’t forget to bring a torch.

Naseby

Meet at the Naseby monument at 10am for a wreath laying ceremony. Then there will be a family service at the Naseby Town Hall, starting at 10.30am.

For further details of all that is on this ANZAC weekend, see our What's On Guide

New Zealand National Anthem

E Ihowā Atua,

O ngā iwi mātou rā

Āta whakarangona;

Me aroha noa

Kia hua ko te pai;

Kia tau tō atawhai;

Manaakitia mai

Aotearoa

God of Nations at Thy feet,

In the bonds of love we meet,

Hear our voices, we entreat,

God defend our free land.

Guard Pacific's triple star

From the shafts of strife and war,

Make her praises heard afar,

God defend New Zealand.

Australian National Anthem

Australians all let us rejoice,

For we are one and free;

We've golden soil and wealth for toil;

Our home is girt by sea;

Our land abounds in nature's gifts

Of beauty rich and rare;

In history's page, let every stage

Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,

Advance Australia Fair.