Anzac crowds brave the rain and cold in Wānaka

Wānaka's Anzac dawn service was an uncomfortable one, with hundreds of people huddled under umbrellas on the lakefront in the dark and pouring rain. 

Retired Navy Commander Lyal Cocks led a short service that began at 7am and included a welcome by Ryan Enoka in te reo Māori and English. 

The national anthems of New Zealand and Australia were sung, there was a bagpiper and a bugler, and afterwards people lay poppies on a table under a flag.

David Leslie at the Wānaka dawn service. Photo: Marjorie Cook
David Leslie at the Wānaka dawn service. Photo: Marjorie Cook
The crowd quickly dispersed to find shelter. 

Wānaka's Anzac commemorations continued at 9.30am with an indoor civic service at the Lake Wānaka Centre, before everyone ventured outdoors again for a street march to the Wānaka cenotaph and a wreath laying ceremony. 

The 7am dawn service at Anzac Peninsula at the Lake Hawea dam was even more miserable, with strong winds and hail.

However, people stoically carried on with proceedings before dispersing quickly to get dry and warm up.

 

 

 

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