A very large number of visitors and Raglanites lined Bow Street for the annual ANZAC Day parade at 11am on 25th April 2025. Although the morning started feely cool by the start of the parade it was hot with the sun filtering through very light clouds. There was a large contingent of returned and services people for the parade. The armed services representation included a major with a large contingent from Raglan own 161 Battery plus representatives from the navy.
In a break with tradition the Parade didn’t form up in Wainui Road. Instead it gathered in Bow Street outside the Raglan Town Hall. From that point it marched down Bow St. It was led by the Raglan Highland Pipe Band. Then came a Red Cross donkey followed by the veterans, the Army, Navy and Air force followed by the local services, community groups and schools.
Saen O’Brien Raglan RSA President, opened the service. He welcomed Ward Councillor Lisa Thomson, RCB Chair Dennis Amoore, Raglan Club President Debbie Dalbeth, Raglan Community House Chair Leslie Thornley, Raglan Museum Chair Neil Couch and Raglan Community Arts Chair Rodger Gallagher. Kaumatua Sean Ellison and another minister then took the service. The Major of 161 Battery gave a speech on the links between the battery and Raglan. The Head Girl (Lani Frazerhurst) and Head Boy (Manoa Beaudry) from Raglan Area School gave a talk on what ANZAC Day meant to them. The wreath laying by a very large number of local organisations came next with Saen O’Brien calling each group to come up four at a time in turn to lay their memorials.
The service was concluded by singing the Australian and New Zealand national anthems. The parade marched off to the Raglan Club for a mix and mingle and lunch.
