ANZAC DAY 2019

Being the final year of the official 5-year commemoration of World War 1, the ANZAC Committee wanted to make the
​2019 ANZAC Day service the pinnacle event, with a re-enactment of our local soldiers' ‘Homecoming’ in 1919. 
We wanted to ensure our ANZAC Day service was one to be remembered, and we hoped to create an event that would commemorate the end of World War 1 with a renewed understanding of the loss of war, the significance of "our boys" returning home and beginning life anew, and a sense of gratitude to our local soldiers for their sacrifice. 

And so it was “All Aboard!” on 25th April 2019 for an F163 steam train excursion, from Feilding to Halcombe, for a spectacular ANZAC parade and service, with war memorabilia on display and an art exhibition in the Halcombe Memorial Hall. We were delighted with the community involvement and turn-out for ANZAC Day.

We estimate that over 800 people attended - HUGE for our tiny village - and many were in period costume and fully-entered into the spirit of the day. Please enjoy the photos and video shared here, and also on our Facebook page:   Facebook/HalcombeCommunity.
Thank you to Rob Edwards, for his magnificent photos and video of ANZAC Day 2019, which we proudly share here with you. 
And thanks to Jess Manthey (MoreFM Manawatu), for her beautiful photos from the day.
We have many people to thank for helping us create such a monumental day and the Halcombe ANZAC Day committee are delighted in how ‘The Homecoming’ and ANZAC Day event came together.  Many people chose to engage with the 1919 theme and dressed in period costume. Our community of volunteers captured the committee’s vision into a mesmerizing day of reflection and commemoration. ‘The Homecoming’ Steam Train was particularly special as we re-enacted soldiers from 1919 coming home to Halcombe.  It is always our aim that our ANZAC Day parade and service provides something different every year to ensure it is relevant and fresh. I think, this year, we were very successful! 

​We were delighted with the way our community provided rural hospitality with loads of home baking. We are very grateful to our many sponsors that assisted in many ways to financially support the event and very fortunate to be still receiving donations now.

Thank you to everyone that attended our unique ‘Homecoming’ and ANZAC Day service. It was a fitting event for our community and district to end the 5-year commemoration of World War 1. 

Wayne Short, ANZAC Day Committee
WE THANK OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
Manawatu District Council
Eastern & Central Community Trust
New Zealand Defence Force
Halcombe Fire Brigade & supporters
Halcombe Playcentre
Halcombe School
Halcombe Tavern – Robbie & Sandra
Halcombe Rugby Club
Feilding High School
Val Andrews - singer
Manawatu Overtones
Rangitikei Pipe Band, Barry Williams
Fab Roses
APB Electrical
Feilding Steam Rail, Kiwi Rail
Corbett Bros, Cheltenham
My Plumbing Depot
Palmerston North Hospital Medical Museum
New Zealand Military Vehicle Club Inc
Trentham Military Museum and Paul Burr Collection
Lianne Masters – Property Brokers
Scott Base B&B – Gavin & Brenda
Earthwise Dingo & Gardening Services
Tradezone, Bunnings
Affco, Ovation & Venison Packers
 
Various donations throughout the country from our Give a Little page and various local anonymous donations.
 
A huge thanks to our wonderful Halcombe & Districts Community: poppy makers, wreath makers, marchers, baking providers and volunteers.
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Many thanks to our amazing committee for having the vision towards honouring the people that helped to form our local community and the servicemen that made a huge sacrifice for our country.