Mixed reactions over dawn service

The parade on Wednesday. Photos: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Members of the public have taken to social media to criticise what they describe as being a series of shortcomings at the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service.

Hundreds were in attendance at this years' service, including members of the public, cadets, and RSA members.

The service was led by Mount Maunganui RSA chaplain Reverend Marie Gilpin, who read from the Book of Ecclesiasticus.

Mount Maunganui College student Ella Cox also led the national anthem and concluded with a rendition of ‘Sons of Gallipoli'.

Bill Newell from the Mount Maunganui RSA also spoke about the sacrifices made by New Zealand soldiers during the First World War.

Many angered attendees were quick to share their disdain on the SunLive Facebook page.

'Embarrassed by the complete travesty that was the ANZAC parade; the minute silence that ended after 10 seconds, the mispronounced New Zealand anthem, the lack of the Australian anthem, they forgot the wreath laying and the apathetic and the sporadic clapping at the end,” wrote one commenter.

'I tend to agree, so rushed, 10 seconds silence was disrespectful, also the singer was lovely but the Australian anthem should be included. In my time living in Australia they never left the NZ anthem out of ANZAC services,” wrote another commenter.

Tauranga City Council city events manager Gareth Wallis says despite some negative feedback, reactions to the service have been positive too.

'We've heard similar feedback but also came across positive reactions from the community about the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service.

'The Dawn Service is an important part of the city's commemorations and is organised by the Mount Maunganui RSA.

'Tauranga City Council organises the city's Anzac Day Civic Memorial Service, held at Memorial Park at 9am every year.

'With Armistice Day celebrations coming up in November, Tauranga City Council will shortly meet with local RSA's to work on how best the commemorations can be delivered across the city.”

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7 comments

Dawn service , Mr Maunganui

Posted on 27-04-2018 08:06 | By maunganui

I agree with the above comments,but was it necessary to has a mobile coffee cart opposite the service on Marine Parade with the continual noise from the coffee carts generator.


moan

Posted on 27-04-2018 08:35 | By dumbkof2

some people will moan about anything. did any of those moaners put their hand up to help. no i didn't think so


Nick

Posted on 27-04-2018 09:19 | By Nick220

While its all about remembering and not about the show. It was definitely the worst one I've ever attended. The 10 seconds silence I felt was the most disrespectful thing.


Dawn Parade

Posted on 27-04-2018 10:07 | By backofthequeue

Weve attended the Mount Dawn Parade on numerous occasions and in past years have had family involved in its production. Each passing year it is inspiring to witness more and more people paying their respects. On Wednesday we were disappointed to arrive to find the service underway yet we were not late! Incredibly someone decided to start a good 10 minutes earlier than the advertised time. The greatly shortened minutes silence, no Australian anthem and the laying of the wreath as an afterthought all added to the entire service feeling rushed. The aircraft fly by that occurred after the parade had finished and as people were leaving emphasised the hurriedness of this years event.


Rushed

Posted on 27-04-2018 13:28 | By clingon

The service started 5 mins early and was over very quickly. 1 minute's silence was called and lasted 10 seconds before a woman started speaking again as if there was a deadline to meet. A lot of people made the effort to get up early and attend to show their respect but the commemorations seemed to lack sincerity, sort of ANZAC 'lite'. Let's hope they sort it next year...


another TCC rort

Posted on 27-04-2018 18:13 | By Captain Sensible

TCC use our money to pay an "events manager". What a cushy unnecessary rort that is.


The people

Posted on 28-04-2018 12:28 | By kinakat

Will complain and moan if there is good reason to.Sounds like the a Anzac Day committee are the one's who may need to ask for assistance. Total Shambles.


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