28 April 2008 Lincoln University ANZAC service well supported

A record turnout of over 120 for the 2008 Anzac Service in Lincoln University's Memorial Hall has delighted the organisers, the Lincoln University Alumni Association.

Through the initiative of Returned Services Association member and former Senior Lecturer Vern Clark, approval was gained to have the Lincoln University campus ceremony "upgraded" to become the official Lincoln community service.

The result was evident in the need to put out extra seating on the morning as the numbers arriving swelled to fill Memorial Hall.

Former Alumni Association President Neil Gow welcomed everyone and bugler Douglas Michael from Dunsandel, a Lincoln University alumnus, opened proceedings by blowing the Last Post and Reveille at the flag pole outside the hall.

The University Chaplain Rev. Glenda Hicks accompanied by the Roman Catholic Priest from St Patricḱs Church, Lincoln, Fr Pat Crawford, conducted the service and readings were given by alumni Neil Gow and Errol Costello. Former staff member Alys Allan provided piano accompaniment for the hymn singing and another former staff member Jenny Butcher provided the floral arrangements.

In her Anzac homily the Rev. Hicks drew attention to the role of New Zealand́s Defence Force personnel as "peace makers" as they participated in reconstruction and other peaceful efforts in various part of the world.

This year helping with the general conduct and marshalling of the service were a number of Lincoln University Future Leaders Scholars.   

Future Leaders Scholars Matt Bowie and Lynne Robertson read out memorial accounts of two Lincoln alumni who were killed in the Second World War while serving with the Royal Air Force and who have no known graves, Wilfred Emmett and Neil Blunden. They placed poppies alongside their names on the memorial plaques in the hall.

Staff member Ian Collins introduced the two scholars and told about a memorial project to record and publish the names and service details of all Lincoln University alumni who served in the Second World War and who had been students at Canterbury Agricultural College in the years up to the end of hostilities in 1945. He invited those present to get in touch with the alumni association and contribute any details they had about such servicemen.