'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.'

The significance of Laurence Binyon's ‘Ode of Remembrance' cannot be understated this year when Kiwis and Australians commemorate the 100th anniversary since the landing of Anzac troops at Gallipolli on April 25, 1915.

To mark the centenary the Thames-Coromandel District Council says commemoration services, parades and events have been planned in communities across the Peninsula.

Commemorations will start with a parade of about 50 World War One-era military vehicles and a biplane flyover, down Pollen Street in Thames on April 11, starting at 11am.

'The military vehicles will then be on display at the Thames Racecourse, where there will be a battle re-enactment complete with real cordite and gunpowder.

'A free shuttle bus will take people from outside Baxters furniture store on Sealey St to the racecourse starting from about 12pm, with return trips from 3pm.”

Council adds: 'BBQ food and drinks will be available and people are welcome to bring a picnic.”

A fortnight later the HMNZS Manawanui will arrive at Mercury Bay and anchor offshore on Friday, 24 April. It is anchoring offshore as the water at the pier is to shallow for the ship to tie up.

Then on Anzac Day members of the crew will visit Mercury Bay Area School and participate in Whitianga's Dawn Parade and service.

Depending on the weather and crew availability, members of the public will be able to visit the ship on Saturday.

'HMNZS Manawanui is the Navy's diving and mine counter-measures support ship,” says council. 'She is equipped with a compression chamber and a wet bell to enable deep diving.

'She has the range to undertake peacekeeping and security missions in New Zealand waters and in the South Pacific.”

Also in Whitianga, on Easter weekend Vietnam War veterans who served with Victor 3 Company are reuniting, and this will coincide with the visit of a Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopter.

The Iroquois has been a work horse of the air force and served with New Zealand forces in Vietnam, but the aircraft is now being phased out of service with the air force.

ANZAC DAY PARADES AND MEMORIAL SERVICES
The public is invited to attend ANZAC Parades and Memorial Services on Saturday 25 April 2015 at the following locations:

Coromandel:
Dawn Parade - 5.45am: from Coromandel Citizens Hall, Kapanga Road, Coromandel, followed by service and breakfast afterwards at Coromandel Citizens Hall.

Civic Parade - 10am: from Coromandel Citizens Hall, Kapanga Road, Coromandel, followed by service at the Memorial Reserve, 355 Kapanga Road, Coromandel and morning tea at Coromandel Citizens Hall.

Tapu:
Dawn Parade - 5.45am: from Tapu Fire Station to Cenotaph, Tapu Hall, followed by service. Breakfast provided afterwards at Tapu Fire Station.

Thames:
Dawn Parade - 5.45am: (Note new start point) from cnr Cochrane and Pollen Streets, Thames.

Pauanui:
Dawn Service - 5.45am: Pauanui Surf Lifesaving Club, Pauanui Boulevard Pauanui (Pauanui Sports and Recreation Club if wet)

Tairua:
Dawn Service - 6am: Tairua Ex-Servicemen's Cemetery, Main Road, Tairua

Whangamata:
Civic Parade - 10.20am: Led by Bay of Plenty Pipes & Drums - from Council offices, Port Road Whangamata.

Civic Service - 11am: Whangamata War Memorial Hall, Port
Road, Whangamata. Followed by light lunch and entertainment at RSA clubrooms.

Whitianga:
Dawn Parade - 5.45am: from Mercury Bay Club carpark, Cook Drive, Whitianga, followed by service at Soldiers' Memorial Park, Whitianga. Breakfast at Mercury Bay Club to follow service.

Matarangi:
Parade - 10:30am: from Ake Ake Avenue, Matarangi, to Matarangi Fire Station on Matarangi Dr. Followed by:

Civic Service - 11am: Matarangi Fire Station, 201 Matarangi Dr. Followed by light lunch.

Returned service personnel are asked to wear their medals and decorations.

If you are a descendant of returned service personnel, you are welcome to participate in the parades, and remember that medals are to be worn on the right upper portion of your apparel.