22 April, 2008

To: Chief Reporter

From: Nalinesh Arun - CCC Communications Team

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE
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Council urges attendance around the city for ANZAC Day services

The Christchurch City Council continues to grow its support for ANZAC
Day commemorations even as Dawn Services around the City attract more
participants.

With 15 Dawn services scheduled for April 25 in Christchurch, Dave
Adamson, Civic & International Relations Co-ordinator with the
Christchurch City Council, is urging participants to attend one nearest
to them.

"There is a fairly good spread of services outside of the metropolitan
area and it is hoped that these will ease the ever-growing crowds around
central Christchurch that we have been experiencing the past few years,"
says Mr Adamson who has been involved in ANZAC Day services for the past
12 years.

The Council provides support for the Christchurch RSA's 6.30am Dawn
Service at the cenotaph in Cathedral Square. Last year around 5000
people attended the Service at the Cathedral Square.

An Iroquois helicopter of. No 3 Sq., RNZAF Ohakea will fly over
Cathedral Square at 6.55am, to coincide with the ending of the Dawn
Service, and coffee and Anzac biscuits will be available for the public
afterwards. Although free, any donations made will all go to the
Christchurch RSA.

The Christchurch Tramway is offering returned service people a free ride
on the tram, as a sign of their respect for those who have served our
country. For the duration of ANZAC day, Friday 25th April, any services
people showing their service medals or other form of identification can
board free of charge.

Trams will also be available from the completion of the Dawn Service for
those wishing to travel by tram to the RSA on Armagh Street. As long as
service medals are shown no ticket needs to be purchased.

At 10.00am, a Citizens' Service will be held in ChristChurch Cathedral.
This is organised by the Christchurch City Council, in conjunction with
the cathedral and the Returned Services Association, for the citizens of
Christchurch. The Address this year will be given by Mayor Bob Parker.
Members of local youth groups will parade their colours, as well as play
a part in the service.

Local professional musician Craig Smith will sing his own composition
Lest We Forget (the Anzac Song) accompanied by two musicians. He wrote
the song to commemorate the service of his three great-uncles, who
served in Libya and Egypt. Have a look at www.craigsmith.co.nz go to
Album section, album is called '13 Originals'. Lest We Forget is Track
13.

Our City O-Tautahi, corner Oxford Terrace and Worcester Boulevard, has
an exhibition called They are Not Missing - They are Here, 21 April - 7
June, free admission. It features a foundation of beautiful and poignant
photographs from Commonwealth War Graves Commission sites around the
world commemorating 90 years of service. The exhibition includes
personal stories and perspective from our local people.
www.ccc.govt.nz/ourcity

The Council encourages everyone to attend a service, be it at dawn or
otherwise.

City Services

Air Force Museum, Harvard Avenue 12.00 noon
Akaroa War Memorial 11.30am
Cathedral Square, Cenotaph 6.30am
Diamond Harbour Memorial Hall 11.00am
Halswell Domain, War Memorial 9.00am
Heathcote, Cnr Martindale and Bridle Path Roads 6.15am
Little River Community Centre 9.30am
Lyttelton: War Graves Cemetery, Reserve Terrace 9.00am
Lyttelton Cenotaph 10.15am
New Brighton, Opp. New Brighton Working Men's Club 9.30am
Papanui, St James Park, St James Avenue 9.10am
Paparua, Kirk Road Pharmacy, Templeton 10.00am
Prebbleton Hall, Prebbleton 9.00am
Riccarton, Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library,
Church Corner (opposite Countdown) 6.30am
Rolleston Community Centre 12.00 noon
Sumner/Redcliffs, Outside All Saints Anglican Church,
Wakefield Avenue 10.45am
Wycola Shops, Wycola Avenue 9.00am

FOR THE CITIZENS OF CHRISTCHURCH
Citizens' Service: 10.00am
ChristChurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square
Ends

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