Well wasn't that a great meeting - well done President Robyn, bouncing from live action, to videos, to guest speakers to open chat time and more! A total of 38 participating in the special ANZAC Zoom Meeting. It was also great to see some Zoom first timers; Alan Mayne, Jan Hogg, Isabella Tedcastle, Angus McPhee and Simon Jones.
The Agenda for the Meeting was;
- Welcome
- National Anthem
- Short video showing the origins of our clubs 'Great Kiwi ANZAC Breakfast’
- Respected member Alan Mayne shared what ANZAC day means to him
- RYE Student Elise (France) told us about an historic connection her hometown has with Kiwi soldiers
- The Last Post
- Club Notices
- Members chat time
The Video promoting the Great Kiwi ANZAC Breakfast, the brain child of Michele Mann, was great to see and what was interesting was how so many of our members have changed their look over the past 12 years - some for the better, others maybe not quite as much. No names of course!!!
Alan then took centre stage, sorry centre screen, and shared with us a very personal and heartfelt ANZAC Day story. Alan was born in Dunedin in 1936 and his father was conscripted into the New Zealand Army in February 1943, and then killed in Southern Italy, (near Bari) on 13 December that same year. He is buried in the War Graves Cemetery, a truly tranquil and beautiful place, managed by the New Zealand War Graves Commission. One of the stunning memories Alan has is of visiting the cemetery and the number of graves of so many young men aged 23, 24, 25. His Dad was 38. Alan was educated at Waitaki Boys College which was the crux of a very successful life and career. Waitaki Boys High School is where Alan met Christie Rutherford which led to him being a member of the Rotary Club of St Johns.
The photo below is of Alan's Father and his medals including the Memorial Cross which was presented to the family by the Government and people of New Zealand in memory of one who died in the service of his country. The other photo is of the Hall of Memories at Waitaki Boys High.
Our next speaker was Elise Dubuche. Elise is one of seven Rotary Exchange Students currently being hosted by District 9920. Elise is from France and her home is very close to both Arras and Le Quesnoy, two places in France that have significant ties with New Zealand following WW1. In Arras, New Zealand soldiers were responsible for digging immense tunnel complex beneath the city streets that housed 24,000 British men and women as they prepared for the Battle of Arras. This lasted 35 days and although the British experienced many casualties, they won the battle. Le Quesnoy was occupied by the Germans for the entire war until it was liberated in 1918 by New Zealand soldiers in what was to become the last action by New Zealand troops in the War. Over the years very strong bonds have been created between Le Quesnoy and New Zealand with many streets and schools bearing the names of New Zealanders and New Zealand towns. For those wishing to know more there are many books telling the stories of the Battle of Araas, the Tunnels and the Liberation of Le Quesnoy.
Thank you Elise for sharing your knowledge of these places and the significance of them to both France and New Zealand. Also a big thank you to Michele for her part in making the Great Kiwi ANZAC Day Breakfast such an important annual event for St. Johns Rotary, to Alan for sharing his story and to Robyn for pulling it all together in these difficult and challenging times.