Anzac Day was celebrated differently this year, with over 80 white crosses for the soldier’s cemetery, constructed in memory of those from the Otaki district who died in World War One.
RSA president Pat Kenny spoke enthusiastically of the marathon effort required to produce the crosses. They were originally costed at over $20 each, which was declined as being too expensive. Thanks to a joint effort, the crosses have been provided at no cost to the RSA.
This was achieved due to the kindness and generosity of:
- Crighton Timber of Levin who donated the wood
- Riverbank Engineering of Otaki who donated the metal spikes
- Hammer Hardware of Otaki who donated the glues & varnish
- Web2print of Otaki who donated the signs and printed names
- Resene Paints of Levin who donated the paint
- Menzshed of Otaki who put it all together.
Otaki Menzshed in their first year have undertaken some good projects, but nothing as big as this one. Production of 81 white crosses first required planning, then a production line sequence to cut, recess, chisel, glue & screw, paint and decorate the crosses.
Photos courtesy Simon Neale
