Twenty RSA flags have been raised on Pollen St in Thames to commemorate Anzac Day on April 25.
The project was hoisted by the Thames Community Board during the night on April 12.
Chair Adrian Catran told The Profile the RSA, who also assisted to install the flags, was “ecstatic” the flags would be lining the street for this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.
“They’re ecstatic that finally this is the first time we’ve had Anzac flags up,” he said.
“It’s an important event in our calendar, and we must acknowledge those who have gone before us… Thames contributed many people to the first world war and the second world war.”
Adrian said the total cost of the flags was $2000, which was paid for by a $1000 contribution by local businesses and a $1000 contribution by the RSA.
He said the flags were part of the community board’s plan to display more street flags this year to promote local events.
“What we’re hoping to do going forward is we’re hoping to do flags for Matariki coming up, and we hope to put out a flag design for August, September, October and have a winner who will design the flag for us,” he said.“Then hopefully put up Christmas flags… because we have had no colour and no flags going forward in Christmas times.”
Adrian said the RSA flags would remain on display for a week after Anzac Day and the plan was to reassemble the flags for the event each year.
Thames RSA president Ken Last-Harris said the flags were looking “pretty good” for Anzac Day. “It’s the first time we’ve been able to put up something like that, so it’ll be good for our big day,” he said.
DETAILS: Dawn parade: 5:45am from the BNZ, Sealey St, along Pollen and Mary Streets for a 6am dawn service to the Civic Centre, followed by breakfast at the Thames Bowling Club. The civic parade at 9:45am will have the same route for a 10am service at the Civic Centre.
