Omarama's war casualties may finally get more public recognition with a proposal to erect a war memorial in the township.
The suggestion came from Omarama resident Peter Casserly, who approached Ahuriri Community Board chairman
A monument would not replace the Omarama Memorial Hall as the township's war memorial, but rather be an addition, giving the public freer access, Mr Dawson said.
The hall contains war memorial plaques.
Under the proposal, a large feature rock with memorial plaque and flagpole would be placed near the Omarama Police Station.
Upper Waitaki RSA president Michael Blackstock, of Omarama, thought it was a "brilliant" idea.
Support was also being sought to reinstate an Anzac Day service in the township - services ceased in the 1970s.
Mr Blackstock's father, Ron (84), who served in the Royal Australian Air Force in England in World War 2, was the last chairman of the unofficial RSA sub-branch in Omarama.
Most of the members were now buried in the Omarama cemetery; Michael Blackstock believed his father was the only surviving member.
For the past 10 years, Ron and Michael Blackstock have placed poppy crosses on the graves during Poppy Week.
Michael Blackstock hoped the war memorial would be in place in time for Anzac Day 2010.
The next step was to get costings and it was hoped some funding would be available through the national RSA organisation.
Paying tribute
> Omarama has a permanent population of about 250, which swells over the summer due to holidaymakers.
> Memorial plaques in the Omarama Memorial Hall pay tribute to nine Omarama residents who died in World War 1 and World War 2.
> Ron Blackstock (84) is believed to be the oldest surviving ex-serviceman living in Omarama.
