Remembering our heroes
At Real Living, the week of Anzac Day holds great significance as our entire community comes together to honour the service and sacrifice of military personnel from New Zealand and Australia. Pakuranga Park paid a sincere tribute to the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps with a Remembrance Service that started with a heartfelt speech by Village Manager Christian Pulley.
At the end of the speech, Christian together with Jim Johnston, Chair of the Residents’ Committee, laid a floral wreath to remember those servicemen and servicewomen who died in service during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Following the rendition of the Last Post, the village transitioned to the more light-hearted segment of the ceremony, welcoming the Eno Sisters. The Eno Sisters introduce themselves as the modern and kiwi version of the famous Andrew Sisters, and they sing famous songs from the wartime era. Julia Banks (in the middle), one of the newest residents at Pakuranga Park, is one of the leading singers of the group.
The Anzac tribute at Pakuranga Park centered on a beautiful display of hand-knitted poppies crafted by residents. Additionally, the village was adorned with stunning poppy designs created by their talented resident, Jan Woolridge.
The performance of the Eno Sisters was a wonderful way to bring the community together, honour our history, and reflect on the enduring spirit of courage and resilience exhibited by those who served. The heartfelt melodies and poignant lyrics served as a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women, reminding us of the importance of remembrance and gratitude. Julia Banks thinks that music holds a unique power to encapsulate the essence of Anzac Day.
Julia Banks has also been one of the winning finalists of the Auckland Museum Anzac Poetry Competition two years in a row, in 2022 and 2023. To finish this story, we would like to include the beautiful poem that Julia wrote last year, responding to the theme 'Pause for Thought,' contemplating wars past or present, from many perspectives.
Do you think war only happens
In some far-off foreign land
Full of apathetic people
All too meek to take a stand?
Do you think war only happens
In a world as dark as night
Like some ancient wartime movie
Where they live in black and white?
That it simply couldn't happen
In our bright and breezy land
Where we dip in clear blue waters
Bathe in sunshine on the sand?
Well, seems everybody thinks like that:
"It couldn't happen here" -
But I'm pretty sure that people
Thought the same thing over there
As they cooked the evening dinner,
As they drove to work in town
As the children looked above and saw
Apartments raining down.
As a regiment of sunflowers
Turned their faces from the sky -
Hanging heavy heads in silence
As the tanks came rolling by……
If you would like to know more about Pakuranga Park why don’t you call Sylvie on 027 314 5767
or email sylvie.borrett@realliving.co.nz
