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Halcombe Community ANZAC Days are legendary. Coordinated by the ANZAC Committee (a sub-committee of the HCDG), the traditional ANZAC Day Commemoration is a mid-morning ceremony on 25th April, beginning with a parade from the Halcombe School Memorial Gates down into the village, followed by a formal ANZAC service at the Halcombe War Memorial, and concluding with a community morning tea in the Memorial Hall.
The small village community of Halcombe supports the event through annual fundraisers, making and selling ANZAC poppies and wreaths, decorating the village centre and hall, setting up a collection of war memorabilia, being re-enactors in full costume (soldiers, cavalry, and nurses), and volunteering on the day. Comment from Wayne Short, Chairman of the ANZAC Committee: "The Halcombe ANZAC Day services are not your typical ANZAC Day event! Our passionate committee’s enthusiasm is evident with the growing number of attendees each year as the news of the event is shared. Every year the committee has added something new and different to add interest, and the numbers attending have now increased to over 800, and with our promotion of the event we see people travelling from afar to attend and share their stories of local loved ones that lost their lives in World War 1. The event brings our community together and empowers residents to be connected and engaged. It also assists our community to understand the history that formed our district." |
ANZAC DAY 2024
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"On behalf of the Halcombe ANZAC Day Committee we would like to say a massive thank you to the community for your support not only on ANZAC Day, but also with poppy making, wreath making and baking for morning tea. A special mention must go to the Halcombe Fire Brigade for their help in setting for the service and to Vicki from Halcombe Playcentre who championed making sandwiches for the shared morning tea afterwards."
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ANZAC DAY 2023
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The theme of this year's event was an acknowledgment of the many animals that supported our military. Thank you so much to our wonderful community who supported our Anzac Day service...as a committee it makes it all worth while when we see our community out in numbers remembering those who have given their tomorrow’s for our today’s. It’s lovely to see people mixing together to share stories and memories of past times and passing these onto the younger generations.
A special thanks to the ladies who helped in the kitchen and to the people who helped pack up the chairs around the cenotaph, including the Halcombe Fire Brigade. Jed at the tavern for his support with power and access to his balcony. Halcombe Playcentre for making all of the sandwiches as refreshments. Ruthie for donating flowers and greenery for the wreaths. The incredible talent of the Marton and Districts pipe band and Barry Williams the bugler. The animal handlers who braved the task of bringing their animals into a busy environment to display for us. The Military Vehicle Club for once again bringing along some very cool vehicles for us to see and for allowing kids to have a look through afterwards. The NZDF and Air Cadets for their help and presence on the day. Our two flag bearers who showed great pride in carrying both the New Zealand and Australian flag. Squadron Leader Heather Peart for her very inspiring speech. Toby and Emma from Halcombe School for reading an Anzac Day poem. Simon Wishnowsky from the Halcombe Fire Brigade for reading the roll of honour. Pauline Bright for her beautiful deliverance of the Halcombe Prayer. And… our wonderful officiant Shane Casey who did an absolutely amazing job of running the service. |
ANZAC DAY 2022
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A huge thank you to our community for supporting our ANZAC Day tributes in Halcombe on 25 April 2022. We had over 200 people attend.
A special thank you goes the Halcombe Fire Brigade, the Halcombe Tavern and the Marton and Districts Pipe Band we couldn’t have done it without your support Halcombe ANZAC Day Committee |
ANZAC Day 2021 - Thankfulness and Gratitude
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Halcombe Community ANZAC Day Service - Sunday 25th April 2021
The Anzac Day committee would like to thank our community for coming together to commemorate our Thankfulness and Gratitude service. Especially acknowledging the partnership with our Aussie cousins and also highlighting women's huge contribution throughout the war years both serving and at home. The committee handed out handmade poppy-infused paper in authentic envelopes. As you plant the seeds, reflect and read out the poppy poem attached. We trust you will nurture and enjoy these poppies as they flourish. It is suggested you plant these on 11th November - Armistice Day. |
ANZAC Day 2020 - An Online Service
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Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 Halcombe ANZAC Day Service was presented online.
Halcombe community members were invited to be part of the event by sharing their ANZAC messages & videos. View the full ANZAC Service and our community contributions at our ANZAC Day 2020 webpage. |
ANZAC Day 2019 - The Homecoming
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The 2019 ANZAC Day was a significant event for our community and a huge success. Visit our ANZAC Day 2019 webpage for reports of the day and a gallery of photos.
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Poppies for ANZAC Day
Read about the significance of ANZAC poppies as a flower of remembrance and the role that poppies play in the Halcombe ANZAC Day Commemorations.
Our Soldiers' Stories
We have an archive that provides a place for community members to record their family stories about local soldiers, their service and their return home, and the impact that war had on families in Halcombe and in the wider area.
RSA
"Remembrance acknowledges the personal courage and sacrifice of those who are engaged in military and police service by activities designed to highlight and honour their commitment. The RSA works with all branches of government and communities, to ensure remembrance covers all service and conflicts." Visit RSA.org.nz for more information.
ANZAC Day History (NZ Defence Force)
Visit army.mil.nz for a detailed history of ANZAC Day in New Zealand. Read "The Ode", learn more about the significance of poppies at ANZAC Day, and get a great recipe for ANZAC biscuits!
