The Montecillo Veterans Home and Hospital will be gleaming for Anzac Day, thanks to a volunteer crew from HMNZS Otago.
Yesterday a group of 17 Royal New Zealand Navy servicemen and women spent the afternoon painting walls, tidying the garden, cleaning windows and refurbishing a flagpole, ahead of the most important day on the veterans' home's calendar.
HMNZS Otago navigational officer Teina Hullena, of Masterton, said the working bee was a chance for the crew to give back to the community.
"It does give you that warm fuzzy feeling.''
Helping out was also about serving former navy and military service people, he said.
"We all have, or had, grandparents who were involved, so it is good to come in and help out the people of Otago, especially because we are the HMNZS Otago.''
The ship will be docked in the harbour until Tuesday.
Montecillo chief executive Fred Daniel said he was "absolutely delighted'' by the visit.
"They [the navy] are always looking out for veterans' wellbeing.''
Yesterday's visit continued a relationship between the veterans' home and the navy which dated back to 1918, he said.
"Sailors are always ‘make-and-mend' and they bring that philosophy to us.''
"They also bring a spirit of community and humour ...
"They remind us that age means nothing.''
The working bee was the first of several community projects Otago would be involved in while the ship was docked here.
Other events included a charter parade tomorrow and a ship open day on Sunday.
On Anzac Day the crew would be spread throughout Otago at services.
