12 January 2005

Region will Ring to Minute’s Silence

Bells and sirens throughout Taranaki will mark the start and end of a minute’s silence this Sunday (JAN 16), in recognition of thousands killed in the Boxing Day tsunami.

Town clocks in Stratford and New Plymouth, sirens in fire stations, and church bells will mark the start of the minute’s silence 1.59pm, and its ending at 2pm.

“This is a simple way to mark the commemoration throughout the entire region,” says New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent.

“This morning (WEDNESDAY) representatives of various organisations around the region met again to talk about the ongoing Taranaki Tsunami Appeal, and it was decided that these bells and sirens would help people remember the minute’s silence and bring the region together during this silent commemoration.”

At 1.59pm the New Plymouth town clock will chime once; the church bells at St Andrews, St Chad’s, St Mary’s and Holy Trinity churches in New Plymouth will ring; and fire stations throughout Taranaki will sound their sirens. At 2pm the Stratford town clock will fall silent while the New Plymouth town clock, churches and fire stations will sound to mark the end of the commemoration.

Today’s (WEDNESDAY) meeting of the region-wide appeal coordination group included members of the Red Cross, Save the Children, churches, Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, Taranaki Multi-Ethnic Council, Rotary, Taranaki Newspapers and local government.

Mayor Tennent says it was heartening to hear of the varied projects that are under way for fundraising for the countries that were badly affected by the tsunami.

“The response from Taranaki residents has been magnificent. One of our challenges is to keep the support going for 12 months as we look at new ways to raise money and to provide more practical help at a later date.

“The best thing is that groups throughout the region are working in a coordinated manner so that we can share ideas and help make new fundraising and support projects come about.

More… “Every dollar raised is going straight to the tsunami survivors, to help them get back on their feet.”

The nation-wide minute’s silence this Sunday is a time for people to remember the thousands of people who were killed by the tsunami, including New Zealanders who were caught up in the disaster, “and to also remember the heartache and disruption felt by the millions who survived,” says Mayor Pete.

“It’s also a time for us to reflect on how fortunate we all are living here in Taranaki, and think of how we can help those most affected.”

ENDS

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