By Graeme Stilwell

It was an Anzac Day commemoration with a difference when, 38 crew from 17 trailer yachts from Timaru and Dunedin enjoyed the long weekend sailing on Lake Benmore. In a moving ceremony a special Anzac service was held at the Lake’s edge, led by Dunedin yachtie Alistair Campbell, before yachties sailed off down the lake.

Many yacht clubs throughout the country have trailer yacht sections and the Timaru Yacht Club’s contingent have enjoyed sailing on the hydro lakes over many years. Timaru member Laurence Smith said the Anzac Weekend cruise started at the Ohau C launching ramp end of Lake Benmore.

Anzac Day dawned, in perfect conditions, fine and calm, with light frost, ideal conditions for our special Anzac Day ceremony. Thirty eight yachties grouped around to participate in the ceremony. “Alistair Campbell spoke of the history about the Anzacs and what it meant to the current generation,” Mr. Smith said.

He said a moving poem was read by Colin Smith of Timaru, before the ceremony closed with the Last Post being played on a bugle by Martin Kimble, of Dunedin, followed by a minute’s silence. It was an emotional time, which brought tears to many eyes as we remembered what these people sacrificed so that we may enjoy our lives in all of nature’s glory and freedom, Mr. Laurence Smith said.

Following the ceremony, the group enjoyed a cooked breakfast put on by the Dunedin Trailer Yacht Squadron. They then set sail for Shepherds Creek (an inlet off the west side of Lake Benmore) where they planned to spend the night.