‘Over 40 years' of Anzac addresses given
Archdeacon the Ven Bernard Wilkinson (centre) leads the procession from Maheno School to the cenotaph. PHOTOS: CLAIRE TAYLOR
Maheno's Anzac Day commemoration has had a distinctive figure at the helm for over 40 years: 94-year-old archdeacon the Ven Bernard Wilkinson.
The former Oamaru vicar is known for his ability to keep the local remembrance fresh each year and never repeat a story.
Maheno School principal Stella Macrae said on Anzac Day Archdeacon Wilkinson's addresses remained "passionate, interesting and [had] a strong message".
He still cuts an energetic figure and only stepped down as manager of the Oamaru Churches Food Bank a year ago.
Until his "retirement" 34 years ago, Archdeacon Wilkinson was the vicar of St Andrew's Maheno, and continued his link with Anzac Day.
"I can't quite remember how long it's been. Over 40 years," the archbishop said.
He addresses the Maheno gathering each Anzac Day with personal anecdotes, offering reflections focused on humanity rather than religion.
Typically about 150 people attended but "over 200" gathered last Friday, he said.
His Anzac addresses were inspired by his own experiences, stories told to him or those passed down through the years.
But the essential message never changed — the goal was "remembrance".
Archdeacon Wilkinson noted many ordinary people had important wartime stories that deserved to be told.
His favourite part of the commemoration was "standing on the steps of the memorial and seeing all the people".
He was "particularly impressed" with the Maheno School pupils who marched to the memorial and laid poppies on Anzac Day.
Mrs Macrae said the school was always involved in the Anzac commemoration, underscoring its special link to SS Maheno.
The former Union Steamship Company liner was used during World War 1 by the New Zealand Naval Forces, as HMNZ Hospital Ship No 1.
Maheno ran aground on Fraser Island in 1935.
Its bell was given to Maheno School in 1967 by the company.
Although it was no longer used as a school bell, due to cracks, it was rung annually on Anzac Day.
The bell remained a symbol of the bond between New Zealand and Australia, built on the sacrifices of the Anzacs, Mrs Macrae said.
— Claire Taylor, Journalism Student
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