Aucklanders create their own ANZAC memorial

Almost a thousand Devonport residents turned up to their suburb's war memorial on Anzac Day last week, even after it was cancelled.

Police prompted the cancellation of Devonport’s Anzac Day ceremonies due to security concerns in the wake of the Christchurch terror attacks.

But Devonport residents were still determined to have a memorial.

Devonport citizen Simon Gundry and Devonport RSA former president Chris Mullane spearheaded the event, refusing to discard tradition.

The Devonport RSA supported their efforts.

Mr Gundry said: “We’re not going to let people tell us we can’t go and do something like that because we won’t be protected. I’ve lived my whole life without being protected.

“We decided, if they won’t allow us to have an organised ceremony, we’d have an unorganised one.

“I was absolutely delighted with the turnout, and it showed that a lot of Devonport people had no fear of what could happen and they chose to come down and pay their respects as we have been for the last ninety-odd years,” said Mr Gundry.

However, people expressed frustration as police agreed to service a parade in Browns Bay.

“Devonport is one of the oldest areas in New Zealand that sent soldiers to World War I in 1914.

“Browns Bay was only a tiny farm when they sent soldiers away. There was no one living in Browns Bay," said Mr Gundry.

The organisers could not understand why a memorial was allowed in Browns Bay but not Devonport. Devonport had a larger population and had more historical significance regarding Anzac Day.

Before the construction of the Harbour Bridge in 1923, car ferries to Devonport made the area the beginning of the main road north and a thriving community.

RSA President Howard Mace said they faced issues creating the new event when opposition from the Government and police meant that council was reluctant to help.

“The council then said if you’re not going to have a parade, we won’t help you, and they didn’t.

“They didn’t print any of our fliers. We had to do it all ourselves,” he said.

Attendee Robin Woodward said: “I think there was great leadership shown in getting this organised, but it was the desire of the community that really impressed me.

“I think there was great leadership shown in getting this organised, but it was the desire of the community that really impressed me, I think there was generally a feeling that we are allowed to congregate. It’s part of what this sacrifice was made for.

“I think that’s partly why people are here to celebrate today, to show we are celebrating our freedom.”

Attendee Walter Gill said: “What those soldiers went through was a hell of a lot worse than what we’re going through.

“We can’t bow down to it. Terrible things happen in the world all the time; terrorism should never win.”

Mr Gill said the event “shows how great the community spirit is here”.

“I’ve seen some of the old contracting friends, people I played rugby with, people I went to school with.

“There were so many people and no microphone, so you couldn’t see or hear a lot of what was going on, but that wasn’t the point.

"The point was that you were there,” he said.