From the Mayor

April 25 in the Wairarapa was the perfect day for ANZAC Ceremonies.  The weather was fine, calm and lacking that toe numbing cold that we have endured from time to time.  Martinborough Square was again filled to the brim with young and old alike. 
Each year the numbers have grown as more people take an interest in the history behind ANZAC Day.  This year was no exception with at least five hundred people crowding in to the Memorial Square.
This resurgence of ANZAC Day is interesting as it is opposite to what often happens to commemorations as they age.  Time softens memories, those that lived the event pass away and the relevance of the commemoration is questioned against modern times. 

None of this, however, can be applied to ANZAC Day which has now become effectively our day of national pride. There is more interest than ever as families research their relatives and carry their memories on parade.
Council’s biggest challenge is knowing how many service sheets to print.  A few years ago we needed less than one hundred.  This year’s three hundred meant many went without.  Perhaps we need to develop an app so people can read it on their smart phones?  It would save paper and save the need for a torch.