Anzac Day service delayed at Culverden

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A North Canterbury community will have to wait an extra year before hosting an Anzac Day service.

Fundraising for a new war memorial for Culverden has proven to be tougher than anticipated, says Culverden Community Committee member Craig Ritchie.

Culverden was due to host this year’s Amuri area Anzac Day service, but the Waiau community has stepped up as this year’s host.

The committee launched a fundraising drive in September last year, after the memorial design, estimated to cost $150,000, was approved with the support of the Hurunui District Council.

‘‘We never really understood how difficult it is to apply for funding,’’ Ritchie said.

‘‘We would have liked to have had it up and running this year.
‘‘We have had good support from contractors, who have agreed to keep to the same quotes for the time being.’’

As the Culverden Community Committee is not a registered entity, it has made the process more difficult in applying for grants.

The memorial design is based on a corten steel memorial at Leyland in England, with the shape of a soldier cut out and standing 9m high.

The Culverden version will be 6m high, with a poppy and the words ‘‘Lest We Forget’’ on the front.

The memorial will have lights to light it up at night.

It will be placed in the Rutherford Reserve, next to Amuri Area School.

The Hurunui District Council’s Amuri Community Committee, has approved the use of $56,000 in funds held in trust from the sale of the Culverden Drill Hall in the 1980s.

The committee has received $5000 in donations from the community and a $10,000 grant from the Trusts Community Foundation.

The Hurunui District Council has applied to the Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund for $50,000 on the committee’s behalf.

Ritchie is hopeful the council will fund the balance, which will allow the war memorial to be ready for next year’s Anzac Day service.

Amuri area Anzac Day services alternate between Waiau, Rotherham and Culverden.

Culverden last hosted the Anzac Day service in 2021, with the community gathering at the Culverden Volunteer Fire Brigade rooms, before crossing the busy Mountainview Road to a set of memorial gates.

■ The Amuri area Anzac Day service will be held at Waiau. Gather at the Waiau Hall at 9.50am, for a 10am service, before a short walk to the memorial and back to the hall for morning tea.

The Culverden Community Committee is organising an autumn cull cow drive as a fundraiser for the war memorial fund.
Contact Craig Ritchie on 027-4705388 for more information.

■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.