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Stratford commemorates ​Anzac Day 2025

Date

Categories

Connected Communities
Events and Festivals

Where

Cross of Sacrifice, Miranda Street
Family:
Family friendly event
Cost
FREE

Friday 25 April 2025 is Anzac Day.

District Mayor Neil Volzke says, “Anzac Day is about coming together to remember and honour our service people; past and present, overseas and at home, and many of us will have family members or friends in mind when we stand at the Dawn Service and hear the First Post.”

“Whether you’re marching in uniform at the parade, or you’re in the crowd at your very first Dawn Service, please come and have breakfast with us afterwards. Sharing stories over a cuppa, in the Anzac spirit of camaraderie, is a big part of how we commemorate and celebrate the day here in Stratford.”

Anzac Day Dawn Parade and Service

Friday 25 April 2025

Join our District Mayor, councillors, and representatives from the RSA, and NZ Defence Force from 6am for Stratford’s Dawn Parade and Service

Dawn Parade starting 6am

The parade will leave the Colonel Malone Gates at 6am, moving in a procession from the Malone Gates, down Fenton Street, left onto Miranda Street, and finishing in front of the Cross of Sacrifice.

Marching in the parade? Gather at 5.40am

Thank you for marching on parade. There’s no need to register your participation. Please gather at the Malone Gates at 5.40am and await instructions from the Parade Leader.

Dawn Service followed by kai and a cuppa: from 6.10am

Following the parade, a Dawn Service will be held in front of the Cross of Sacrifice on Miranda Street.

The service will finish at around 6.50am. Please join us for a free cuppa and light breakfast afterwards in the Function Facility at the War Memorial Centre. All are welcome!

Wreath laying during the service

During the Dawn Service, there’ll be the opportunity to lay down wreaths. If your community organisation, group, or school wishes to be added to the wreath registry, please email ACrane@stratford.govt.nz

After registered wreaths are laid, members of the public will be invited to step forward and lay a wreath. Don’t be nervous about doing so. Wait for your turn, lay the wreath down gently, take a step back, pause for reflection, and then return to the crowd.

Other commemorative activities

Hall of Remembrance

Open 8am - 5pm from Wednesday 23 April to Sunday 29 April 2025

Open from 5.30am - 5pm on Anzac Day

Pay your respects to the Stratford residents who lost their lives in WWI and WWII by visiting the Hall of Remembrance in the Municipal Building on Broadway. You’re also welcome to lay a wreath in remembrance of those who have passed.

His Royal Highness, Edward Prince of Wales, officially opened this moving and unique roll of honour in 1920, with photographs of Stratford’s WWI soldiers. His Worship the Mayor N.H. Moss, Esq. unveiled photographs of WWII soldiers on Anzac Day 1951.

Wreath Making Workshop

10am - 12pm, Tuesday 22 April, Stratford War Memorial Centre

Create a wreath to be laid in the Hall of Remembrance to commemorate Anzac Day. Everything you need to make a wreath will be provided, but you’re most welcome to bring your own special flowers, foliage, or materials.

This is a free event, all ages are welcome, and registration’s not required.

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