Music is a universal language that can speak to us all - to uplift our collective consciousness - to see that our present, honours their sacrifice.
After weeks of preparing St David's Memorial Church to host The Art of Remembrance 2023 - rebuilding of sections of the ceiling and walls of the Great Hall, floor repairs, roof repairs, electrical re-wiring, painting, staining, additional handrails, and days of cleaning and work in the gardens - the doors opened. Thanks to all who made this possible!
Illuminated red on the outside - thanks to Angus Muir Design - and glowing within, filled with guests from across the region and beyond. It was a night of music and commemoration that we will not forget.
Horomona Horo sounded the great pūkaea - a taonga pūoro (traditional Māori wind instrument) and members of the New Zealand Defence Force, current and retired, were piped in to The Hills of Argyll by David Harvey on the bagpipes.
Military and families were seated in seats of honour, and members of the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers and Sappers of New Zealand in the Sappers' Memorial Chapel within the Great Hall.
Kaumatua Tautoko Witika inspired with his presence and grace, and shared the meaning of the new, additional name for the Friends of St David's Trust, which is Kāhui Rangi Pūpū, meaning 'gathering place of the heavenly trumpets'.
A superb address by Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Chris Mullane who spoke of the symbols of remembrance, and encouraged younger generations to wear the medals of their forebears on their right side (recipients of medals wear them on the left).
The Off Broadway Big Band, the great 1910 Croft Pipe Organ played by Walter Nicholls and the voices of all present filled the hall with music to the rafters. Horomona Horo also played He Kohikohinga Roimata, a compilation of waiata mōteatea to remember the tears of our lost ones and those who fought for us all.
Simon O'Neill ONZM, who sings at the greatest opera houses of the world happened to be on these shores and, together with Somi Kim who is the great pianist of the celebrated NZTrio, stepped into the breach at the 9th hour when another of our musical performance fell over due to illness. From George Butterworth's Loveliest of Trees, Is my team ploughing (Butterworth was killed 5 August 1916 shot by a sniper, Battle of Somme), to "the otherside", Gustav Mahler's Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (Dies Vienna, Austro Hungarian Empire 1911). Simon and Somi finished with Ross Parker and Hughie Charle's We'll meet again, made famous by Vera Lynn. Spontaneous applause!
The Ode was read by Kaumatua Tautoko Witika, and Graham Judge, Chair, Friends of St David's Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū.
Corporal Toby Hutton 3 Troop, 2 Field Squadron, RNZE lowered the New Zealand flag during the playing of the Last Post, and raised the flag during the playing of The Rouse.
We learnt that for evening services, The Rouse is played instead of the Reveille, which is played only at dawn.
We sang Hine e Hine, beautifully led by soloist Michelle Thorne and the Off Broadway Big Band, and gathered afterwards to enjoy home made ANZAC biscuits in the Vestibule.
Special thanks to our Event Partners, Donor Partners, Founding Patrons, Founding Friends, Volunteers and businesses who support the Trust's work.
Thanks to Renée Tanner and Alex Bonham, Waitematā Local Board Member, for the images below. Jeff Smith is also creating a video that we will share with you in the coming weeks.
Finally, a very special thanks to Founding Patron Max Gimblett ONZM whose gift of the Remembrance quatrefoils in 2015 launched The Art of Remembrance project… St David's stands today as testament to this great gift.
Together, we will remember them.
SERVICE GALLERY
SUPPORTING THE RESTORATION PROJECT
We are a small, fully independent, charitable Trust dedicated to the restoration of St David's for the community. We are grateful for the generous support of our patrons, donors and our community of volunteers and supporters.
If you would like to make a koha to support the restoration project, please click the MAKE A DONATION button below or email contact@saintdavidsfriends.org.nz
BECOME A ST DAVID'S VOLUNTEER
f you would like to contribute to the Trust’s work as a volunteer, please let us know!
With a nigh-on 100 year-old building, and a music centre in development, there is always plenty to be done. It’s a special project that attracts awesome people.
Contact Paul if you'd like to get involved on paul@KahuiStDavids.nz