Pike River Anniversary Memorial Service

17 November 2011

Final preparations are being made for the Pike River Anniversary memorial service in Greymouth this Saturday.

And it’s clear, says Archdeacon Robin Kingston, the chairperson of the organising committee, that the West Coast community is taking heart from the nationwide support it is receiving. “This weekend will be hard,” he says. “Hard both for the families of the lost miners and for the West Coast community itself. We still grieve. “And it’s a comfort to those closest to the men who died to know that people across the country are expressing their support and sympathy,” he says.

The service will be focussed distinctly on the community and the families of the miners. The speakers will include people who have supported their families in the past 12 months.

Local musicians will also take part. The service will include a time of silence at 3:44pm, the time of the first explosion a year ago.

The community welcome all who will come to show their support, the Prime Minister and Governor General have been asked to take part in the service. A copy of the service is available below:

Ben Hutana: Mihi

Archdeacon Richard Wallace: Karakia

Waiata: How Great Thou Art

Archdeacon Tim Mora: Welcome

Ged O’Connell: Union Rep on behalf of the men

Bernie Monk: On behalf of the families

Tracy Cameron: Original composition “Bensong” accompanied by Jeremy Ewan

Kathryn Leafe: On behalf of all the welfare groups

Mayor Tony Kokshoorn: On behalf of the local community

His Excellency Sir Jerry Mateparae: On behalf of the nation

Alisha Osborne: ”In the Arms of an Angel” accompanied by Carol Rose on the guitar

Helen Wilson: Original reading

Andre Strauss: Prayer for victims and families
Lyn Heine: Prayer for the community

Rt Hon John Key: Reading from Psalm 10

Fr John Morrison: Thoughts and blessing

Silence in memory

National Anthem led by Carolyn Williams

Bruce Keddie: Laments on the bagpipe

ENDS

© Scoop Media