Larger venue for Rotorua Anzac Day civic service to accommodate growing interest

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick will host this year’s Anzac Day Civic Memorial Service at the new location of Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre.

Mayor Chadwick is extending an open invitation to residents as well as visitors to the city to join her in honouring New Zealand's servicemen and women.

The civic service, commemorating the 99th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings by New Zealand and Australian combined military forces, will be held in the Energy Event Centre’s Unison Arena on Anzac Day [Friday 25 April] at 9.30am.
The key address will be given by Reverend Tom Poata, while Father Mark Field will be the officiating minister.

Mrs Chadwick said the service is being moved this year from the convention centre to the larger venue to accommodate growing community interest in Anzac Day, and as a lead-in to next year’s highly significant 100th anniversary.

“Numbers have been increasing over the years as more and more people choose to acknowledge the heroic efforts of our New Zealand and Australian forces. As this year’s event falls on a holiday weekend, we anticipate there’ll be substantial interest from out-of-town visitors as well."

“It’s an important opportunity for locals and visitors to honour the brave servicemen and women to whom we are indebted for the lifestyle and privileges we’re able to enjoy in this country today.”

The Anzac Day service will open with a ballad performed by local singer, Evelyn Falconer. Events & Venues staff member Ray Philpot will perform a guitar solo during the service, with jazz quartet Finely Tuned concluding proceedings. Rotorua Brass and City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band will provide music to hymns throughout the service.

Anzac Day events start with the traditional dawn parade at Ohinemutu at 5.45am.
At 8.50am service personnel, school parties, cadet corps, local community groups, and 300 St John youth officers, in Rotorua for the National St John’s Youth Festival, will assemble at the intersection of Whakaue and Fenton streets near the Village Green.

At 9am the parade will march via Government Gardens, arriving at the Energy Events Centre at 9.20am, in time for the Civic Memorial Service at 9.30am.
Memorial Drive by the lake will be closed from 8am to 10am.

People driving to the Energy Events Centre are encouraged to avoid Prince's Gate entrance to Government Gardens and instead enter past Polynesian Spa and take the road behind the museum and Energy Events Centre, or arrive before 9am.

ENDS

© Scoop Media