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Anzac Day: community commemorations return

Flagstaff Team

Solo act… Lieutenant Sam Fox making a solitary Anzac Day observance in Hauraki during the Covid lockdown last year. Traditional public events are back on the programme this Sunday. Photo: Chris Weissenborn

Anzac Day this year will provide a fresh creative challenge for Defence Force photographer Chris Weissenborn.

The Navy Petty Officer, who shot our striking front-page image on Anzac Day last year, will catch the solemn camaraderie of the occasion on assignment in New Plymouth.

“I’ll be sailing on our newest ship, HMNZS Aotearoa, for her first home-port visit to New Plymouth,” Weissenborn told the Flagstaff before he embarked last Monday. “I’ll also be covering Anzac with the crew.”

It will differ markedly from last year, when he captured the solo observance by his Hauraki neighbour Lieutenant Sam Fox.

The image of Fox, titled Stand at Dawn, is part of an exhibition of work by Defence Force photographers now on at the Navy Museum. The exhibition’s name, Standing Alone – Together as One, was inspired by his photograph. It is part of a portfolio that has had Weissenborn named as a best-photography finalist in the Voyager Media Awards.

For his part, Lieutenant Fox will this year swap the top of his own driveway for attend- ance at the dawn parade at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

• The Devonport parade assembles in Bartley Tce at 9.35am. At 9.50am, it heads down Victoria Rd to the cenotaph for a 10am service.

• Takapuna Grammar will host a dusk service at 5.30pm in the ex-pupils library.

• A remembrance field will be set up at the Navy Museum, where people can make and ‘plant’ paper poppies. The museum will be open from 10am to 5pm.

• The Rose Singers will perform World War I and II songs on 23, 24 (evenings) and 25 April at 2pm at the Rose Centre, Belmont. Proceeds from the $10 tickets go to charity. For bookings, phone Ruth on 021 436010.

• The North Shore Brass Band will lead the way in the Takapuna Anzac Day parade. Marchers will gather at Sanders Ave at 9.25am before parading to the war memorial on The Strand for readings and wreath laying. Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Aidan Bennett will MC the event.

Free ferry on 25th

Fullers360 is offering free travel for all on its 5am sailing from Devonport to Auckland, to help passengers attending the commemorative dawn service at Auckland War Memorial Museum this Anzac Day, Sunday 25 April.

Additionally, all RSA cardholders, as well as servicemen and women dressed in full uniform, will have access to free ferry travel to and from Devonport all day on Anzac Day.

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