16 October 2018

On Sunday 11 November a district-wide event will be held by the Hurunui District Council at the Amberley Domain to commemorate the signing of the treaty that ended WW1. Planning for the event began in June and the event is shaping up to be a fantastic family day out.

The event will begin with an ANZAC Day style parade through the domain to the northern side of the pavilion where the event will take place. This will be followed by a commemoration service and as a mark of respect, two minutes silence will be observed at 11am.

Highlights of the event will include a live firing of blank rounds from WW1 cannons, a flypast of Spitfires shortly after 11am, and the members of the Mounted Rifles who will attend the event.

Putting on this event has been a truly collaborative effort with ANZAC Day coordinators from six areas within the district all playing a part.

Mayor Winton Dalley says the event is an opportunity for residents to come together and reflect as a community on the events and impact of the war 100 years on.

“The centenary of the signing of Armistice that signalled the end of WW1 is a significant milestone in our history. We had a desire to see the Hurunui district come together to remember and to bring to a conclusion our centenary commemorations of the Great War, and it’s great to see this becoming a reality.”

The event will pay homage to the 183 fallen soldiers from the Hurunui district. The fallen soldiers’ crosses will be laid out in front of the council offices in Amberley from late October through to mid-November, when they will then be relocated to the Amberley Domain for the event.

“We will remember those who made the supreme sacrifice” said Mayor Dalley. “We will remember those who returned but whose lives would never be the same, those who lost family, and those who kept the home fires burning and supported the war effort.

“We invite you all to ‘Hurunui Remembers’ on the 11th of November, bring your families, friends and neighbours, and as a district join together with us to bring the 2014-2018 commemorations to a fitting conclusion”.

Parking will be available in the southern area of the domain, adjacent to the playground. People are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and deck chairs. Limited seating, a BBQ and tea & coffee will be provided.

The event has been funded through grants from the six Hurunui district Lions’ groups and is being led by the council’s community team.

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