Te Awamutu War Memorial Archway

On Sunday 8 December 2002, the Te Awamutu War Memorial archway was officially opened by his worship the Mayor, Alan Livingston in front of an assembly of both returned servicemen and women and members of the District Lions Club.

The gathered guests at the dedication service for the memorial archway.

The archway was a combined fundraising project between the Te Awamutu RSA and the Lions Club. The Lions Club was represented by Ray Officer and district Governor Brian Mansell. The RSA was represented by local president Eric Ormsby and RSA district president Arthur Fletcher.

A traditional maori blessing was given by Komatua Charlie Maikuku, followed by a dedication by pastorial assistant Joan Dickson. Joan spoke about the respect she has for her father and older male relatives who served in WWII and who spoke very little of their experiences during this time. Only in later life has she, through reading soldiers diaries, gained an insight into what war meant to these young brave men and women of New Zealand.