POPPY DAY Appeal 2023
Poppy Day will be Friday 21st April, when RSA collectors will be out in force. Poppies will also be available at the usual retail outlets before the 21st, so you can make a donation and take a poppy, all proceeds go to the Veterans Welfare fund.
Alternatively you can make an on-line donation to the KMRSA Welfare account- 12-3139-0003621-04, reference Poppy Donation.
If anyone wants to help collect Poppy donations in the Helensville, Parakai or KKK retail areas on Friday the 21st April, please call Steve Wilson, Ph/text 021 494 945.
ANZAC Day 2023
This year the Kaipara Memorial RSA will be holding a Dawn Parade at the Parakai Cenotaph, Veterans and Service organisations to fall-in 0550 hours outside the Parakai Springs, 150 Parkhurst Road. Parade Commander Peter Mills will march you to the Cenotaph for an ANZAC service starting at 0600 hours. All other attendees can gather in the carpark in front of the Cenotaph.
This service will be followed by a wreath laying Ceremony at the Helensville Service Cemetery at 0700 hours. An Anzac breakfast will be held at the Helensville Bowling Club at 0730.
Kaipara Memorial RSA President Rex Keane says that due to the closure of the Helensville War Memorial Hall and the RSA clubrooms, there will be no Helensville street parade or service this year. Rex also stresses that Medals should be worn, if wearing your relative’s medals, wear them on your right side and wear them with pride.
There will be an opportunity for any Service or Civic organisations to lay a wreath at the Dawn Parade.
If wanting to lay a wreath at the Dawn Parade you need to register by emailing kaipararsa@xtra.co.nz, one week prior to ANZAC Day.
This year in addition to the white crosses with a Poppy being place on every Veterans plaque in the Helensville Service Cemetery, the Kaipara Memorial RSA with the help of the Remembrance Army will be placing wooden crosses, with a Poppy on all 22 of the Veterans graves scattered throughout the Helensville public cemetery, some dating back to the Boer War, most from World War One and others from World War Two and some Contemporary Veterans. Crosses will be erected the weekend before ANZAC Day and the RSA asks the Helensville community to visit the gravesites in the public area and the Service Cemetery and pay your respects to Veterans who fought for our freedom. The KMRSA will be laying a wreath at the Helensville Service Cemetery after the Dawn parade.
The Helensville Museum will be open from 1-3pm on ANZAC Day with a display of the Helensville RSA memorabilia.
