Every year we pledge to Remember Them. The question is, how?
Please join us on ANZAC Eve (the night before Anzac Day) to Remember Them. This year, we will also honour the 28th Māori Battalion. Sir Bom Gillies KNZM, who served with B Company, 28th Battalion in World War II, has given his blessings for a plaque to be installed in the Great Hall. This will be placed nearby those honouring the 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions.
ANZAC Eve 2024 will be an historic event, and an evening of inspiring music, moving image and warm hospitality in the company of very special guests. Experience the magnificent acoustics of your newest centre for music - Kāhui St David's, with performances by musicians Horomona Horo (taonga pūoro), David Harvey (bagpipes), Ed Waaka (piano and vocal), Helen Lukman-Fox (pipe organ) and The Off Broadway Big Band.
Join us afterwards for hot soup, fried bread and home made ANZAC biscuits.
We look forward to opening the green doors, and to welcoming you into the newly restored, warm and glowing Great Hall.
We will Remember Them.
ANZAC EVE SERVICE
We will Remember Them
Wednesday 24 April, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Share this invitation with friends and family. If you are a veteran or a current member of the NZDF, please let us know. Also, if you have any special access needs, we are here to assist. Email contact@KahuiStDavids.nz
ANZAC DAY - OPEN DAY
Thursday 25 April, 11.00 - 2.00pm
Can't come for ANZAC Eve? Join us on ANZAC Day to see through the building, and view the Sara Hughes artworks in the North Chapel.
In 2015 we established The Art of Remembrance, the first of what has become an annual, artistic project to honour all who have served this country at war and in peacekeeping. The current Art of Remembrance, visual art project, is Colour Quartet by Sara Hughes. Learn more about the project at kahuistdavids/artofremembrance
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 give a koha to support this event, please click the MAKE A DONATION button below or email contact@saintdavidsfriends.org.nz
BECOME A KĀHUI ST DAVID'S VOLUNTEER
If you would like to contribute to the Trust’s work as a volunteer, please let us know! Specific opportunities coming up include:
ANZAC Eve, Wednesday 24 April – any time during the day or in the evening for The Art of Remembrance event.
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.
To express your interest in becoming a Kāhui St Davdi's volunteer please complete our short - VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM
THE GIFT OF MUSIC
We are delighted to announce the gift by Emeritus Professor Alan Kirkness of his music collection. The collection is a veritable encyclopedia of Western classical music, all superb, from Beethoven to Brahms, Chopin to Tchaikovsky. Several thousand CDs and music books will soon be available for all to enjoy in the Sitting Room, an intimate room with armchairs that is also home to the historic music library (scores) of St David’s. To be able to browse this history, explore the CD jackets and listen has great value to devoted musicians and students. It will also complement the future musical instrument library, a Kāhui St David’s project-in-waiting that will enable youth and others to try out musical instruments.
Alan and wife Alison have been long-term Friends of the Trust, here to support us at some of our most challenging times. It was in January 2015 that their daughter, Stephanie, gifted Paul a ceramic poppy from Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red from the Tower of London – which inspired the Art of Remembrance, Max Gimblett ONZM quatrefoil project.
Thank you Emeritus Professor Alan Kirkness
AN ANGEL HAS TAKEN FLIGHT
It is with sadness, and gratitude, that we bid farewell to Brian Hughes, a great friend of the Trust. Brian and Jeni are long-term Friends, and Founding Patrons of Kāhui St David’s.
Brian was an inspirational figure in the construction industry. His reputation went before him, and it was soon evident why. His ability to resolve incredibly complex problems was second-to-none. Brian would listen, assess, and advise, always with precision, gentle strength, and humour. When Brian spoke, it paid to listen.
And Brian was there on the ground – literally. No one tripped on the carpets at ANZAC eve last year, because of Brian. The flag could be lowered and raised off the scaffold for proper military processes to occur, because of Brian. The great structural props we have used for essential repairs to the building – these Brian brought in loads on a trailer from his yard out south. It normally takes two men to lift just one, but Brian loaded the trailer by himself.
Together with the wider Elliffe family, Brian supported the restoration of ‘Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock’, the leadlight window next to the Pulpit that also honours Brian’s great-grandparents, Henry and Isabella Elliffe.
A service will be held at St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity, 446 Parnell Road on Tuesday 16 April at 1:30pm. We are sorry that St David’s is still filled with scaffold, Brian, but we know you will understand. Thanks to you, it’s standing tall.
Farewell to Brian Hughes.
We will remember them