It is an exciting time to take the helm, as the city returns to full-scale Anzac Day commemorations after three years of disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I’m hoping we will get a good turnout for the Dawn Service this year, it’s going to be special to be able to stand together and remember those who have served," he said.
This year’s Anzac Day will mark the 108th anniversary of the disastrous Gallipoli landings, on April 25, 1915.
The role is not all new for WO Gee, who has been involved in the city’s Anzac Day commemorations for the past five years, supporting previous convener Lieutenant-commander (Retired) Rob Tomlinson by co-ordinating the posy laying service at Andersons Bay Cemetery and the service at Montecillo Veterans Home and Hospital.
Based at Naval Reserve headquarters HMNZS Toroa, WO Gee will himself be supported by Coxswain Tina Scadden, who will take on the cemetery and Montecillo services, while he oversees the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph in Queen’s Gardens.
In his 39-year career with the NZ Navy, based mostly at Devonport, WO Gee has visited interesting places all over the world, including the Antarctic, the Persian Gulf, and South East Asia.
"It’s a great life, always interesting and varied — you just can’t pick where you go," WO Gee said.
In 1999, while serving on the NZ Navy frigate Te Kaha in the Antarctic, he was involved in the first trial flight of a new specialist helicopter, and he also served in conflict zones in the Persian Gulf, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, and Bougainville (Papua New Guinea).
After leaving the navy in 2012, WO Gee and his wife Helen decided to leave Auckland and move to Dunedin, where he served as a Navy reservist, Coxswain at HMNZS Toroa, and then back to the reserves. He now does project work for the navy on a part-time basis.
Having been involved in Anzac Day commemorations for many years, WO Gee is honoured to have been asked to take over as convener of the Dawn Service and other city events.
"There is a very experienced team of people involved in putting together the Anzac Day commemorations, so I see my role as mainly co-ordinating things," he said.
"I’m quietly confident things will go well, with the support of these old hands."
The Anzac Day Dawn Service will begin with a parade of veterans on to the cenotaph grounds at Queens Gardens about 6.15am, before the firing of a Howitzer gun salute at 6.30am to mark the start of the service.
The service will be led by Padre Fr Mark Chamberlain and MC Lieutenant William Atkinson of the New Zealand Army 2/4 Battalion, and will be attended by representatives of the New Zealand, Australian, and United Kingdom governments, Dunedin City Council, and Dunedin RSA.
The Dunedin RSA Choir and Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass will lead national anthems and hymns.
The Dawn Service will be followed by a cup of tea at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.
Other Anzac Day services in Dunedin will include the posy laying ceremony and service at Andersons Bay Cemetery at 9.30am, an 11am service at Montecillo Veterans Home and Hospital, and a 1.30pm service at the University of Otago clocktower.
The Dunedin RSA Choir will present its Anzac Revue concert from 7pm at Knox Church.
An Eve of Anzac Day Service will be held on Monday evening, April 24, from 6pm at St Paul’s Cathedral.
