This is a speech that Peter Brown MBE gave about 26 years ago in his capacity as Mayor of the Kaipara District Council. It was made at the ANZAC Day service in Dargaville. The Patriotic Fund mentioned was used to fund aide for servicemen and returned servicemen. Peter Brown MBE, was a very proud “Dargavillian” and was the last Mayor of the Dargaville Borough and the first Mayor of the KDC.
Every year in newspapers and especially on talkback radio the question is asked, why celebrate Anzac Day?
Another twist to the argument is the recent debate between the Australian and New Zealand historians. You would consider that 50 years after Cassino and on this, ANZAC’s 79th anniversary, those historians have chosen a poor argument to try to sell their books.
In my experience, despite dwindling numbers of returned servicemen, Anzac Day services in our district are well supported. Perhaps for the younger generation their attendance is becoming a history lesson rather than being based on sentimental ties.
My childhood memories of the war and ANZAC Days are:
- string and cork,
- logs under the Northern Wairoa Bridge
- a sand-bag dugout,
- as a Cub – marching to the Empire Theatre, and
- the excitement when my brothers came home on leave – being taught to spit polish their boots. My sisters polishing brass, buckles, badges and buttons.
Twelve years later I too was in Papakura, but in peace-time as an 18 year old Compulsory Military Trainee. We marched at ANZAC parades and also did guard duty.
As an apprentice to McDonald and Low Panelbeaters, I witnessed the friendly banter of a returned serviceman and a home serviceman. The car painter Wog Anderson and the signwriter Lindsay Switzer who visited our shop frequently joined in the arguments. I was not averse to a good argument myself and enjoyed kidding both them and my brothers that poppy money subsidized their drinks.
Mind you, it wasn’t all kidding because, as a panelbeater we were never short of work after RSA functions. Red Breckon and Bill Webb, who will be well known to most of you, were regular customers. Their only problem was turning at the Turiwiri crossroads.
Switzer would always rise to the bait when teased about the Patriotic Fund. Ten years later, when I was elected to the Dargaville Borough Council, Mayor Sammy Green appointed me as the Council representative on the Patriotic Fund. Lindsay called around the next day concerned that it should be me taking on that responsibility. Since that time I have become fully involved and have now spent 20 years on the committee.
You may be interested to know that our Northland Patriotic Council is one of the most financial in the country. This is mainly due to the fact that George Barclay, a former Director of Social Welfare, knew when applications to the Fund should be directed to Social Welfare rather than the Patriotic Fund.
To give you some idea of the variety of applications, funds were given to;
- a Whakapirau returned serviceman
- a Whangarei couple for a washing machine and stove, and
- a Mangonui mother of 5.
To conclude, I believe that during the war years the Patriotic Committees did an excellent job and at the present time is carrying on this very worthwhile service. Like ANZAC Day we must ensure its continuance.
LEST WE FORGET
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